Pulling on the lead is a common problem that many dog owners face. To combat it, you’ll need to do a little bit of training, and using the right leash is crucial! To help you out, we’ve devised a list of the 8 best leashes for dogs that pull.
So, let’s take a look at what makes a great dog leash, as well as some leash training tips and an FAQ.
8 Best Leashes For Pulling
Our list of the top leashes for dogs to stop pulling. Make sure you seek help from a dog trainer as well to curb that unwanted behavior.
1. SparklyPets Heavy Duty Rope Bungee Leash
This nylon rope leash by SparklyPets comes with an attachable/detachable bungee extension that is 5.6 feet in length altogether when attached. It’s made from super-tough material, with leather joints, and a durable metallic hook that is perfect for strong pullers.
It also comes in six colors; black, brown, green, green range, red, and teal. The leash is an Amazon’s Choice product and bestseller, and reviews highly recommend it, with several buyers saying how comfortable it is to hold.
2. Mile High Life Bungee Dog Leash
Mile High Life‘s 3-5 ft long nylon leash is ideal for small pets weighing under 20 lbs. It comes in pink, lime green, lime and pink, blue, orange, orange, and grey. It’s lightweight and flexible with a comfortable grip and strong webbing that can hold up to 100 lb of pull.
The bungee cord allows for up to 2 feet of freedom but applies light tension when pets go off course to discourage hard pulling. It also features a helpful attachment ring next to the handle for carrying things like waste bags. It’s an Amazon bestseller and reviews are complimentary.
3. Max & Neo Double Handle
Max and Neo’s dog leash comes in two different length options; 4 ft and 6 ft. Both of them are 1 inch wide and made out of 2 mm thick, heavy-duty nylon webbing. It also has two handles for extra control in busy areas or when an unfriendly dog approaches.
One of the handles is located 18 inches from the clasp for obedience training, and the other is located at the end of the leash for regular walking. Both are padded for comfort.
The leash comes in seven bright colors; blue, orange, pink, purple, red, teal, and black. They all feature reflective stitching for extra safety on nighttime walks. They also include a super convenient D-ring for holding poop bags and the brand donates a leash to a dog shelter every time a purchase is made. It’s an Amazon bestseller and reviews are overwhelmingly positive.
4. Iokheira Dog Leash
Another Amazon best-seller, iokheira’s lightweight dog leash comes in three color options; red, black, and army green. It has two soft rubber padded round handles and the bungee uses zero shock technology. It’s also 4-6 feet long and made out of tough, water-resistant, light-reflective nylon. The lead is fitted with a 360-degree aviation aluminum alloy carabiner that has a maximum force tension of 200 lbs.
Not only that, but it also has a D-ring for carrying supplies, a car safety buckle, and an adjustable reflective safety seat belt. Reviews praise the effectiveness of the leash with heavy pullers and cannot rate it highly enough.
5. FOCUSPET Heavy-Duty Leather Dog Leash
This natural tan leather leash for dogs by FocusPet has two handles for dual control and stylish hand-braided areas for a little bit of shock absorbance. The leather is genuine and durable with strong stitching from quality workmanship, rustproof hardware that can resist up to 500 lbs of force, and padded handles for comfort. It’s also weatherproof, 6 feet in length, and comes with a one-year warranty. Reviews call the product great quality and several buyers love the look of the leash.
6. EzyDog ZERO SHOCK Dog Leash
These shorter leashes by EzyDog come in two length options for closer control; 25 inches and 48 inches. It is also available to buy in 9 color options; black, blue, brown, bubblegum, multicolored, orange, purple, red, and green. The patented design has bungee for shock absorbance and a padded waterproof handle.
It also has soft touch webbing and reflective trim for nighttime visibility, as well as a D-ring for carrying supplies. The brand has won awards for its fabulous products in the pet field, and this leash is no different, as it has almost no negative reviews.
7. Kurgo 6-in-1 Quantum Leash
Kurgo’s 6-in-1 leash is 7 feet long and comes in red, blue, green, purple, orange, and red & blue. It has two comfy, padded handles for hard pullers and obedience training and easily converts to a double dog leash for walking two dogs at once. It can also be used hands-free and fixed around the waist, over the shoulder, or it can be used as a tether to secure your dog somewhere.
It’s adjustable & reflective for visibility in the dark and it’s made of strong, durable nylon webbing. The carabiner also features a bottle opener for owners that like to go camping with their dogs! Reviews love the leash and several buyers call it excellent value for money.
8. Leashboss Original For Large Dogs
LeashBoss‘ heavy-duty flat nylon dog leash for large dogs is 5 ft in length and comes in four colors; black, red, blue, and purple. The patented design has two handles for extra control in busy or dangerous situations, both of which are padded for comfort. It’s made in the USA and comes with a 5-year manufacturer warranty. Several reviews mention how well made the product is and many say it makes walking pully dogs a whole lot easier.
Why Do Dogs Pull On The Leash?
Many dogs pull on their leashes on walks. It’s especially common in young pups, and it’s primarily caused by overexcitement. Pulling on the lead will gradually lessen with age in pups, but it’s important to teach dogs how to behave on walks for their own safety and for our own. It’s also important so that walking together is an enjoyable experience for you both.
When to start leash training
You should start leash training your dog as soon as possible. Puppies are always learning – so the earlier, the better! That said, it’s never too late, either.
Make sure they know their name and how to “sit” first, and work on “stay/wait” as you do your leash training. Start with a short leash at home, indoors, then move it out to your yard. To avoid boredom and stubborn behavior, leash training sessions should be clear, concise, consistent, and fun. Keep it positive and don’t forget to spend quality time together to build a bond. This will help your training immeasurably.
When you feel more confident, move it out onto the street or a park. Then, you should start using a longer, extendable leash with your dog in open outdoor spaces. Practice recall until you are confident that they will come back to you.
Eventually, you should be able to start using a regular leash and letting them off in safe, familiar spaces for short amounts of time, and gradually building up their time off of the leash.
How to get your dog to stop pulling
To get your dog to stop pulling and walk nicely on the leash, be sure to always reward good behaviors, like walking by your side. Use a negative signal such as the word “no” or “no pull” and stop walking when they start to pull or misbehave. This will teach them that when they start to pull, the fun stops. Try changing directions every so often, too. This teaches them to pay close attention to you, instead of getting too caught up in what’s going on around them.
If your dog is an extremely harsh puller, attach their leash to an all-body harness rather than a collar. This will allow you to gain more control and avoid restricting their breathing or damaging their neck/throat. Alternatively, you could try using a martingale collar, which has a clever design that slightly, (and harmlessly), tightens around the neck as your dog pulls, discouraging the behavior.
Pulling & traffic
It’s important to keep puppies on an extremely tight leash when waiting to cross a road. Always ask them to sit at the crossing, whether it is busy or not. Give them a reward when they sit and wait for you to cross. If they try to pull towards any cars, use your negative signal, ask them to sit down again and make them wait until they do it successfully.
To get them used to cars, take them to a bench near a busy road and let them sit and watch them go by, to get them used to the sights and sounds. This will take the excitement, intrigue, and fear out of busy roads.
Pulling & strangers or other dogs
The same principles apply to seeing strangers and dogs when you’re out for a walk. Socialization is key to stopping both overexcited and aggressive behaviors. It’s best to start doing this with close friends, family members, and family dogs at home so that they can learn the rules in a safe environment.
When you’re out on walks with your dog, always call out to ask if approaching dogs are friendly or not. This way, you can let your dog interact and learn about what’s appropriate from other friendly dogs and avoid bad situations with aggressive ones.
If they try to jump up at a stranger whilst out on a walk, gently pull them away and use your negative signal. Ask them to sit down and let the stranger say hello to them instead, and always reward positive interactions!
What Are No-Pull Dog Leashes
Leashes designed for dogs that pull give you full control over your dog while they learn. They look like regular dog leashes and can be made of common leash materials like flat or rolled nylon or leather, but they have extra features such as double handles for extra control and shock-absorber bungees to reduce the effects of hard pulling on owners.
Other things you may want to consider when buying a leash for your dog:
- Size
- Durability
- Comfort
- Safety features
- Convenience features
- Color
- Products that are made in the USA
- Trusted brands
- Products with high ratings and good reviews
Leashes for Dogs that Pull: FAQ
We gathered the top frequently asked questions about the top leash for dogs that pull, below are the best answers to your inquiries.
There is no universal perfect length for a leash, it all depends on what is best for your dog. Leads typically come in 4 lengths; 6 feet, 4 feet, 8-10 feet, and long line. Six feet is the most common length and works best for walking around quiet places like neighborhoods. Shorter lengths are better for busy places like streets with lots of traffic and people, and longer leads are good for training dogs in large outdoor spaces.
Puppies are always watching and learning about the world around them, so it’s never too early to start leash training. However, it’s important to build a bond first with quality time, keep it positive, and start with the basics.
Start at home or in your yard with a shorter leash. Then, take it out onto the street or to a park. Eventually, you should start using a longer, extendable leash, and practicing recall until you are confident enough that they will come back to you to let them off the leash.
Many dogs pull on their leashes when they’re out on walks, it’s especially common in young pups, and it’s primarily caused by overexcitement. It will most likely lessen with age, but it’s important to teach your dog how to behave on walks for their safety.
Reward good behaviors, such as walking by your side, and use a negative signal like the word “no” and stop walking when they start to pull. Try changing directions every so often to teach them to pay close attention to you, instead of getting carried away with what’s around them.
The best leashes for dogs that pull feature double handles for extra control and/or shock-absorber bungees to lessen the effects of hard pulling on owners.
If your dog is an extremely harsh puller, it’s better to attach their leash to an all-body harness rather than a collar to gain more control and avoid hurting them. That said, by law, your dog should always be wearing a collar with a tag that contains all of your contact information.
Alternatively, you could try using a martingale collar, which has a clever design that slightly tightens around the neck as your dog pulls, discouraging the behavior.
How long you should walk your dog every day depends on its age, size, and breed. Use this exercise calculator for guidance and ask your vet for exact advice.
Those are our favorite leashes for dogs that pull! If your dog is a hard puller, try out one of our recommendations and follow some of our top tips! If you feel like you need some extra help, consult a professional trainer.