Dog Leash for Running Buyer’s Guide
Leashes come in different shapes, sizes, and specifications.
How can you possibly choose one from a sea of options around? Here are essential features to look into.
Material
Dog leashes vary in terms of the materials used. There’s nylon and leather, and a combination of these two. So, what’s the best one to choose? Leather is typically stronger than nylon but more expensive, too. But it is no match for pups that like to chew, so…
If you prefer a reasonably-priced, relatively durable, and practical leash, nylon is a smart choice. Go for a nylon leash with padding, so it is comfortable on your skin and on your pet’s neck.
Safety
Some kind of a reflective strip is perfect for enhancing visibility when you are jogging with your pet at night.
Check for a reflective stitching throughout the entire length of the collar. This adds to the security feature of the leash, especially if you end up being out with your pet in areas with limited light sources. You can keep your dog protected and make them easily seen by motorists from afar.
Adjustability
What is the ideal length of a dog leash?
A short leash is ideal when you don’t want your active pooch wandering too far. This is particularly true when you are running with a young pup or a canine buddy with aggression issues.
However, a longer leash provides a good distance for your canine buddy. This is perfect for running with your pooch while maintaining control during tight situations.
When jogging with your pet in the city, we recommend a 4-foot leash. This should give some freedom to your pet while keeping a good distance. On the other hand, a 6-foot long dog leash is great in suburban areas. Your dog will love exploring the open space and plenty of room to move about.
If you want versatility in the dog leash, however, you may opt for an adjustable design. This makes it easy for you to extend or shorten the length. For instance, you want to go from obedience training your pet to running, then you can adjust the length accordingly.
When transitioning from a minimal traffic to a busy street, you will love the versatility that an adjustable dog leash offers. It is like having the best of both worlds - a short and long leash in one!
Hands-Free
Back in the day, we know there’s only one way to hold a leash - with your hand.
While there are still dog leashes like that nowadays, that does not mean you have to subject yourself with such a limited feature.
You can get yourself a hands-free leash that lets you transition to a hands-on configuration.
What’s great about a hands-free design is that you can let your pet explore the outdoors while giving you a chance to do your thing. Read a newspaper, mess around with your phone, fiddle with your headphones, while dear Fido runs and sniffs around. It’s all possible!
How does a hands-free leash actually work? It allows you to wrap the leash around your waist and secure it with a metal clasp.
There’s one caveat, though:
A hands-free dog leash may not be too comfortable for fur parents with larger waists. Since you need to wrap the leash around the body, you need to find the perfect length of the leash. Check the size and measurement available for a hands-free dog leash to make sure it suits you perfectly.
Handles
As an added security feature, handles give you better control of the leash.
Expect your active dog to run around while out and about. Sometimes things can get even messy when little Fido is provoked by another pup around.
This is why handles are useful in this situation - you can easily draw your pet closer back to you and prevent a ramble with another dog. Handles are also perfect for maintaining control of your curious pup who may be eager to wander around unsafe areas.
Choose handles that are comfortable to the skin. Neoprene is a good material as it is soft and smooth. This prevents scratches on your skin in case your dog starts pulling vigorously.
Clip Design
The clip is just as important as the leash itself. After all, how else can you keep the leash secure when you have a flimsy clip to rely on?
Look for a clip made from sturdy materials. We recommend stainless steel clips that are rust-free and weather-resistant. Brass is an equally good material, and you can never go wrong with these two types of clip.
Aside from the material, be sure the clip is easy to latch onto the leash. An easy-on and easy-off design saves you from unnecessary stress in trying to secure the leash with the clip.
