Clever Gear Alert: A Hands-Free Dog Leash
Does your pup leave a little something to be desired in the run buddy department, suddenly jerking toward squirrels and telephone poles?
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Does your pup leave a little something to be desired in the run buddy department, suddenly jerking toward squirrels and telephone poles? Ours too. But we found the solution: Iron Doggy Hands-Free Dog Leashes ($43-$48, Irondoggy.com) are belted bungee leashes that absorb the shock of sudden pulling (215 pounds of breaking strength) and put the brunt of the pulling onto your hips instead of your arms. They’re designed for running with larger (aka stronger) dogs who aren’t perfectly trained, and we were impressed by the clever details such as a sliding snap buckle so the whole belt isn’t rotating as your dog switches directions, and the multiple handles and hold-knots on the leash to help direct your dog. It’s available in two lengths—the Runner’s Choice is adjustable for 30–54 inches, and the SideKick is 37 inches, perfect for keeping your dog next to you. Now, we’re just waiting for someone to invent a solution for getting rid of a doggie dooty bag 2 miles into a trail run.