We Tested 13 Dog Leashes With Real Dogs On Real Adventures (2024)

Our Top Picks

The Max and Neo Double Handle Dog Leash is a sturdy choice for everyday walks.The leash provides all the basics—six feet of length, padded handle, heavy-duty clasp—along with a nice extra touches, like the padded handle, reflective stitching, and the D-ring for a poop bag carrier.

In our real world testing trial, the leash outperformed all other contenders, earning the highest scores for ease of use, durability, performance, ease of cleaning, and overall value. The Double Handle Dog Leash is made from durable nylon webbing that is reinforced with reflective thread throughout for added visibility in low light. In addition to the loop handle, there is a second padded handle, known as the traffic handle, about 18 inches from the leash connector that makes it easier to quickly pull your dog close and keep them nearby. This is particularly useful for dogs who encounter unknown dogs and people on their walks, venture into crowded areas, and for those who tend to have their attention captured by outdoor creatures (squirrels, skunks, birds, etc.).

The leash is rugged enough for use while hiking, comes in six colors (black, blue, pink, red, purple, teal, orange), and is also available in a shorter four-foot length for training. If you have a small dog, this leash is probably too thick and heavy, and while it is durable, the webbing will succumb to a chewer, so keep it out of reach when not in use.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 1 x 72 inches; 1 x 48 inches | Color: Black, blue, pink, red, purple, teal, orange}

Many trainers suggest a lightweight, basic leash like this without any extras, which lets you take your dog out on walks without any added weight or complications. The leash is equipped with a single loop for your hand and at the opposite end there is a metal clasp on a swivel to prevent tangling while attached to your dog's collar or harness. The leash comes in two lengths, four or six feet, and three widths: 3/8ths, 3/4ths, or one inch. We tested the six foot version of the leash with a Havanese puppy, and aside from occasionally using the leash as a chew toy, the leash proved to be very beneficial for their daily activities.

This leash from PetSafe is reasonably priced and practical for almost any dog, but it does not have a D-ring for a poop bag carrier, a midway handle to help with control, or any reflective accents. PetSafe offers this leash in six vibrant colors (raspberry pink, red, royal blue, apple green, deep purple, and black) and the soft, polyester webbing is easy to wipe clean with a damp cloth.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 3/8 x 48 inches; 1 x 48 inches; 3/8 x 72 inches; 3/4 x 72 inches; 1 x 72 inches | Color: Black, raspberry pink, red, royal blue, apple green, deep purple}

With an adjustable length ranging from 48 to 72 inches, the Quantum 6-in-1 Leash from Kurgo offers multiple configurations. You can go for a traditional walk with a six-foot leash, shorten the length for training, go hands-free by wrapping it around your waist, looping it over your shoulder, or double it up to walk two dogs at once. Plus, the handle is padded.

The leash is fashioned with a series of ladder-style loops that lay flat when not in use. A single steel carabiner—the key component to the Quantum's versatility—is easy to connect and adjust on the fly, and also has a bottle opener. We felt the hardware (bolt clip and carabiner) on this leash added a noticeable amount of weight which is likely too much for smaller dogs and seniors. We also found it to be bulky when used as a three-foot training leash.

The durable nylon leash features reflective trimming sewn into the webbing throughout, so there is added visibility no matter how the leash is being used. It can be washed with soap and water, and Kurgo includes a lifetime warranty with free repairs and/or replacement.

_{Material: Nylon webbing | Dimensions: 1 x 48–72 inches | Color: Coastal blue, barn red, grass green, raspberry, orange, barn red/blue}

This leash makes sudden pulls significantly less jarring, especially if you have a hefty hound and/or a very determined dog at the other end of the leash.

The Airleash from Zee.Dog uses elastic webbing to absorb the impact from a dog pulling on their leash. Rather than a harsh jerk felt by the arm holding the leash, the experience when our dog tester—a large and lovely Golden Retriver—suddenly lunged forward felt more like a bounce with the Airleash.

The Airleash is made in a variety of colors and is fashioned with lightweight hardware, including an aluminum carabiner that is resistant to rust, can be locked in the closed position, and has 360-degree range of motion. The handle loop is padded and the leash comes in two lengths, 3.3 or 5 feet, but both have the same width that is a little under one inch. For use on runs with a dog, we recommend the shorter length. We felt the leash could benefit from an additional handle mid way down, but the sturdy leash does provide control and both lengths will keep your dog close by.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 0.9 x 39.6 inches (3.3 feet); 0.9 x 60 inches (5 feet) | Color: Neon, violet, blue, carbon, kim, cali uno, crimson, classic, cali dos}

When it comes to training a dog not to pull on their walk, we highly recommend the Freedom No Pull Harness and Leash from 2 Hounds Design. The four foot leash and harness work together to help provide clarity, comfort, safety, and control, enabling you to resist your dog's sudden forward momentum without hitting their trachea. This set focuses on a dog's center of gravity, so it can help control dogs of all sizes, even the larger breeds.

The harness, lined with velvet to prevent chaffing and equipped with a martingale loop on the back, has two points for the leash to connect, and the leash has two bolt clips on swivels to prevent tangles. When a dog lunges forward wearing the 2 Hounds Freedom No Pull Harness and Leash, the front leash connection clip at the chest and the second leash clip—connected to the martingale loop on the back—tightens gently to prevent continued forward motion. This allows you to come to a complete stop until your dog calms down and is ready to resume the walk. When fitted properly, the harness will sit below the trachea, but above the leg muscles to prevent choking while allowing full range of leg motion.

This set focuses on a dog's center of gravity, so it can help control dogs of all sizes, even the larger breeds. The leash comes in two widths, and the harness comes in seven sizes with four points of adjustment. Finding the right fit for your dog is essential and can be tricky with a martingale loop, but a few sessions with a certified dog trainer in your area is a great resource for hands-on help.

_{Material: Nylon, velvet | Dimensions: 5/8 x 48 inches; 1 x 48 inches | Color: Black, royal blue, brown, rose pink, purple, raspberry, red, turquoise, teal, burgundy, hot pink, navy, neon green, neon orange, kelly green, silver, rust, yellow, tan}

Each Logical Leather Dog Leash is made from a single piece of full-grain leather that is reinforced with durable stitching. The leashes are naturally water resistant, easy to clean, and able to withstand significant force so it's unlikely to snap from a dog pulling.

Logical Leather offers this dog leash in three lengths: four, five, and six feet, and in a variety of colors, from neutrals like brown, tan, and black to more vibrant hues, like red, pink, and yellow. The leash has a loop handle that is comfortable to hold, but there is not traffic handle or ring to connect a poop bag carrier.

_{Material: Leather | Dimensions: 5/8 x 72 inches; 5/8 x 60 inches; 5/8 x 48 inches | Color: Brown, black, tan, red, pink, blue, green, gray, orange, yellow, purple}

The Knot-A-Leash from Ruffwear is made with kernmantle rope which is a type of rope construction that is optimized for strength, durability, and flexibility, and is commonly used for rock climbing. As a leash, the rope is lightweight, durable, and comes in two widths. The thinner version is 7-millimeters wide, and the heftier size is 11-millimeters thick making it appropriate for large or very strong dogs.

The Knot-A-Leash comes in an assortment of colors woven with reflective accents throughout. For connection to a collar or harness (check out our best overall choice for hiking harnesses, the Ruffwear Web Master Dog Harness) the leash is equipped with a sturdy locking carabiner for extra security. There is an additional loop near the main webbing handle where you can tie poop bags or other accessories, like treat pouches.

The Ruffwear Knot-a-Leash is only available in a five-foot length, placing it on the shorter side of the leash spectrum, but it's great for outdoor adventures like hiking and camping.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 7 millimeters x 60 inches (small); 11 millimeters x 60 inches (large) | Color: Lichen green, aurora teal, red sumac, obsidian black, hibiscus pink, blue moon}

Lucy & Co. Print Leashes are made in a variety colorful prints and patterns with new styles and seasonal editions released throughout the year. The leashes are made from durable nylon webbing along with a padded neoprene handle. There are two sizes to choose from, small or large, but both are five feet long. While testing with a 22-pound Chihuahua-mix, the small size provide sufficient length and never inconvenienced our canine participant. The small leash is slightly thinner and lighter in weight (0.6 inches and 3 ounces) than the large leash (1 inch wide and 5.5 ounces).

For safety, Lucy & Co. equips each leash with a lockable carabiner that is easy to attach to a d-ring on a dog's harness or collar. The brand also offers walking accessories—poop bag carriers, harnesses, and collars—along with dog apparel, like raincoats and reversible vests, to coordinate with the leash you select.

_{Material: Nylon, neoprene | Dimensions: 0.6 x 60 inches (small); 1 x 60 inches (large) | Color: Let's groove, cheery cherries, daisy delight, sugar sugar, have a nice day, looking sharp, shark attack, in the clouds, posy pink, cinnamon teddy bear, set sail, rosewater teddy, space doodle, lotto gelato, funny bunny}

To deter a dog from pulling on their leash, the ThunderLeash No Pull Nylon Dog Leash quickly converts from a standard leash to a no-pull leash to give the human participant more control. With the leash's bolt snap connected to a dog's collar, the leash can then be wrapped around a dog's torso and secured with on the hook found next to the bolt snap. This non-traditional design eliminates the need for a separate harness, alleviates pressure from your dog's neck, and allows you to more easily correct your dog's effort to pull.

Our real world testing participant noticed an instant improvement in how their two year old Australian Cattle dog mix weighing 50 pounds behaved while walking. The leash gave them extra control over their dog whenever wildlife made a sudden appearance. The nylon leash has a padded loop handle and comes in two sizes, small and medium/large. The small size is six feet long and recommended for dogs weighing 12–25 pounds, and the medium/large is seven feet long and designed for dogs 25 to 100 pounds.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 0.63 x 72 inches (small); 1 x 84 inches (medium/large) | Color: Black, red, pink, gray, blue}

The Nimble Waterproof Training Lead is made with coated nylon webbing so it repels water and easily wipes clean. The leash comes in five lengths, 5, 10, 16, 30, and 50 feet, and we tested the longest one with a 30 pound Corgi named Mango. The Nimble training lead was perfect for recall training with Mango, who was able to travel a significant distance away while still being securely tethered.

The longer lengths are not recommended for daily walks or any situation that might be dangerous for your dog to distance themself from you, so you'll still need another leash. The leash does have a clip with 360-degree rotation and comes in ten vibrant colors.

_{Material: Coated nylon | Dimensions: 0.5 x 60 inches (5 feet); 0.5 x 120 inches (10 feet); 0.5 x 192 inches (16 feet); 0.5 x 360 inches (30 feet); 0.5 x 600 inches (50 feet) | Color: Brandy red, candy red, emerald green, black, purple, blue, lavender, pink, yellow, orange}

The design is straightforward with a loop handle and a bolt snap for connection to collar or harness, but with GoTags you can non-verbally communicate your dog's needs—in training, deaf, do not pet, etc.—along with a name, social media handle, and/or phone number embroidered directly onto the sturdy Nylon Personalized Dog Leash. There is space for up to 25 characters, 14 colors of thread for the embroidery, and five colors (black, red, pink, orange, blue) of nylon webbing to choose from. Plus, the customization is included in the approachable price.

The leash is made in three sizes ranging in width from 3/8ths of a inch to one inch, but all have the same length of 72 inches (six feet). There are no adjustment points but the leash can be rolled up or tied in a knot should you find the need to temporarily shorten. There is also no D-ring for hanging a poop bag carrier.

_{Material: Nylon | Dimensions: 3/8 x 72 inches (small); 5/8 x 72 inches (medium); 1 x 72 inches (large) | Color: Black, red, pink, orange, blue}

Most dog trainers, including Buehler, do not recommend using a retractable leash because the cord can get wrapped around your dog and yourself, potentially injuring limbs and hands. Also, retractable leashes often have a hard plastic handle which may startle your dog if dropped. But if a retractable leash best matches your and your dog's specific needs, then the Flexi New Neon Retractable Tape Dog Leash is your best option.

This leash has an ergonomic handle with a large button to let the length out and a smaller button to lock the length in place. We found it easy to operate with one hand and the tape is smooth yet durable. It was able to withstand slight chewing from a Golden Retriever who is currently in the habit of reaching for their leash while on walks yet it showed no signs of wear after our testing trial.

Flexi has been designing and manufacturing retractable leashes for dogs since the 1970s and their innovative designs prioritize safety for both humans and hounds. The New Neon Retractable Tape Dog Leash comes in four sizes, x-small, small, medium, and large. X-small is designed for dogs up to 26 pounds and offers 10 feet of length while the other three sizes, with large suitable for dogs up to 110 pounds, all have a maximum length of 16 feet. The leashes are made in five vibrant neon colors—yellow, pink, blue, green, orange—with reflective accents for better visibility. Flexi offers a multi-box for carrying treats or dog poop bags that attaches seamlessly to the handle, but that accessory is sold separately.

Before using this retractable leash, we strongly recommend reading through Flexi's safety instructions for proper use to keep you and your dog safe and prevent injury.

_{Material: Nylon and plastic | Dimensions: 120 inches; 192 inches | Colors: Neon yellow, neon pink, neon blue, neon orange, neon green}

The Gooby Neoprene Wrist Band Surfer Leash is equipped with a padded neoprene wristband to keep hands free while on walks. The design was inspired by the type of tether surfers wear to keep their surfboards nearby in the water.

The wristband is adjustable with a hook and loop strap to keep it secure while remaining flexible to allow for wrist movement. The six-foot leash has a clasp for connection to a D-ring on a harness or collar. It's suitable for wet and dry conditions and is available in six colors.

_{Material: Neoprene, nylon |Dimensions: 72 inches | Colors:Blue, black, pink, lime, red, turquoise}

Final Verdict

FAQ

• How do you stop your dog from biting their leash?

  Dogs sometimes bite and chew on their leash as a way to play or when they’re overstimulated. We spoke with Marissa Sunny, a Certified Professional Dog Trainer (CPDT-KA) and senior dog lifesaving specialist for the Best Friends Animal Society, for tips on how to stop biting or chewing behavior.

  “If your dog is an avid leash biter, I would recommend to first work on teaching them that biting the leash means we don't go for a walk,” Sunny told The Spruce Pets. “Start inside in a secure area, put the leash on the dog, and start to walk towards the door. As soon as your dog bites the leash, drop the leash and walk away. This will indicate to the dog that they won't get to go for a walk if they continue to bite the leash.”

  Another option is choosing a leash that isn’t fun or easy to chew like one made of chain or coated wire, Sunny says. She also suggests covering the leash in something that tastes bad, like apple cider vinegar.

  Biting the leash can also mean the collar or harness is uncomfortable, certified dog trainer Erin Gianella says.

  “I would first make sure the leash is not too heavy for the dog and the harness and the collar are fitting correctly. You should be able to fit two fingers under the collar and harness and it still be a little snug,” Gianella told The Spruce Pets.

  If your dog is chewing on the leash out of excitement or frustration when you’re walking, she suggests rewarding the good behavior and not the unwanted activity.
  “You can mark and reinforce them for attention on you, being by your side, sniffing, or doing anything else other than chewing on the leash,” she says. “The more they are reinforced for everything but chewing on the leash, the less you'll see it.”

• Can dogs hurt themselves by pulling on the leash?

  Yes, they can, both dog trainers we consulted told The Spruce Pets.

  “This is why I always recommend a well-fitted harness. If a dog pulls on leash and is only wearing a collar, they can do a lot of damage to the neck or spine,” Gianella says. “I also like to doa lot of training where I am reinforcing them when there is a loose leash, when there is no tension on the leash or when they are by my side.”

  Many trainers will recommend using front-clip harnesses that will turn dogs around when they pull on the leash. Sunny likes “Y-shaped" harnesses that don't inhibit the dog's range of motion.

  “Dogs can hurt themselves pulling on a leash and this can happen even more easily when they are pulling while being walked on a slip collar, flat collar, or a slip lead,” Sunny says. “Constant pressure on a dog's neck can be painful and dangerous and could even potentially lead to a collapsed trachea.”
  

• How do I clean a dog leash?

  If your pooch's leash is dirty with slobber, mud, grass, or even feces—it happens—then it needs to be cleaned. Leashes can become very dirty and covered with germs, so an occasional cleaning will help prevent odor.

  If the leash is leather, mix a few drops of liquid dishwashing soap into a bowl of water, and then use an old toothbrush to scrub the cleaning mixture into the leash, focusing on any especially dirty spots. Let the leash air dry.

  For leashes made of nylon or rope, soak the leash in a bowl of hot water mixed with a bit of liquid dishwashing soap. Use an old toothbrush to remove any hardened grime. Rinse the leash and then let it air dry.

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