We know there are people out there whose dogs walk right by their sides. These animals are perfectly trained and it's a relaxing joy to walk them around the neighborhood. We are not those people, despite the hours (not to mention hundreds of training treats) sacrificed to getting our dogs inline. So we've checked out a few products designed to tackle common dog walking challenges.
1. Self-Adjustable - The Laughing Leash
What it does: When you have a dog that doesn't necessarily pull hard, but likes to sometimes be in front, sometimes behind, and sometimes right by your side, the Laughing Leash ($24.99) is the answer to your prayers. The leash extends from two to six feet without you having to do a thing. It's drag-free and tangle-free (as the dog comes closer, the coil inside the fabric automatically shortens), so it stays clean and your dog stays safe.
Best for: Moderate pullers and smaller dogs who like to dart up and back. For really strong dogs that do nothing but pull the leash to its full length, this product won't help. It's not a training tool, but does make walking with a light puller much more enjoyable.
Bonus: A portion of proceeds are donated to shelters and rescue organizations in the U.S.
Our experience: This works really well for leisurely walks through the neighborhood where there is plenty of room to move around. It allows dogs to prance around and sniff and explore. However, it's not as easy to keep the dog under control in a busy situation since the leash stretches out to six feet and there's no way to lock it in a shorter length.
2. Multi-Dog/Absorber - EzyDog Cujo
What it does: The benefits of the EzyDog Cujo Leash are two-fold. First, the shock absorbing stretch within the Cujo ($24-$34, depending on length) makes walking even the most aggressive pullers easier on your arms. Second, you can add extensions ($8-$10) to the Cujo to make walking with two dogs easy and tangle-free.
Best for: Multi-dog households and strong pullers.
Bonus: You can clip both ends of the extensions to the Cujo to shorten the leash and create a loop, making it easy to pull your dog in close at a moment's notice. In a pinch, you can also loop the extension through the ring to use as an impromptu choke collar; handy for those of us who tend to find lost dogs now and again!
Our experience: Because the handle on the Cujo resembles the handle on a ski rope, our initial response was a strong desire to put on skates and use our strong-pulling dogs to pretend we were water-skiing. We've tried several couplers, though, and this was by far the best system we've found. There's no tangling, and we absolutely love how easy it is to shorten the extension and reign the hounds in when need be.
3. Anti-Pull Trainer - Simple Leash
What it does: The Simple Leash is a training tool using a 1.5-second beep followed by a brief correction stimulus to teach your dog not to pull. The makers of the Simple Leash are the first to say that this is not a substitute for positive-reinforcement training, but rather a tool to be used when dog obedience classes and clicker training and treats haven't worked and walking your dog is otherwise an unpleasant experience. Most dogs will only receive one or two corrections before learning that pulling causes the beep, and the beep precedes the correction.
Best for: Serious problem pullers. If you've tried positive reinforcement training but still avoid walking your dog, this is a tool that might work well for you.
Bonus: Nobody really wants their dog to have to get zapped, even if the correction stimulus isn't painful. The collar and leash comes with covers for the metal prods that deliver the correction, so you can actually use positive reinforcement when your dog responds to the beep without the risk of your dog receiving a correction.
Our experience: We had gotten to the point of dreading walks with one particular dog because, despite obedience classes and private trainers and hours of training with treats and clickers (not to mention trying many of the harnesses and such designed to curb pulling), she still pulled with all her might, particularly when crossing paths with other dogs.
After just one correction on our first walk with the Simple Leash, we saw an immediate difference. Our dog received only a couple of other corrections since then; the rest of the time, walking her has been a total pleasure. We praise her each time she responds to the beep, and she seems to actually associate that sound with walks and treats rather than the correction stimulus.
More from AOL: Got your dog under control, but still working on how to discipline your children? Weigh in at Parent Dish on whether or not you think spanking is ever appropriate.
1. Self-Adjustable - The Laughing Leash
What it does: When you have a dog that doesn't necessarily pull hard, but likes to sometimes be in front, sometimes behind, and sometimes right by your side, the Laughing Leash ($24.99) is the answer to your prayers. The leash extends from two to six feet without you having to do a thing. It's drag-free and tangle-free (as the dog comes closer, the coil inside the fabric automatically shortens), so it stays clean and your dog stays safe.
Best for: Moderate pullers and smaller dogs who like to dart up and back. For really strong dogs that do nothing but pull the leash to its full length, this product won't help. It's not a training tool, but does make walking with a light puller much more enjoyable.
Bonus: A portion of proceeds are donated to shelters and rescue organizations in the U.S.
Our experience: This works really well for leisurely walks through the neighborhood where there is plenty of room to move around. It allows dogs to prance around and sniff and explore. However, it's not as easy to keep the dog under control in a busy situation since the leash stretches out to six feet and there's no way to lock it in a shorter length.
2. Multi-Dog/Absorber - EzyDog Cujo
What it does: The benefits of the EzyDog Cujo Leash are two-fold. First, the shock absorbing stretch within the Cujo ($24-$34, depending on length) makes walking even the most aggressive pullers easier on your arms. Second, you can add extensions ($8-$10) to the Cujo to make walking with two dogs easy and tangle-free.
Best for: Multi-dog households and strong pullers.
Bonus: You can clip both ends of the extensions to the Cujo to shorten the leash and create a loop, making it easy to pull your dog in close at a moment's notice. In a pinch, you can also loop the extension through the ring to use as an impromptu choke collar; handy for those of us who tend to find lost dogs now and again!
Our experience: Because the handle on the Cujo resembles the handle on a ski rope, our initial response was a strong desire to put on skates and use our strong-pulling dogs to pretend we were water-skiing. We've tried several couplers, though, and this was by far the best system we've found. There's no tangling, and we absolutely love how easy it is to shorten the extension and reign the hounds in when need be.
3. Anti-Pull Trainer - Simple Leash
What it does: The Simple Leash is a training tool using a 1.5-second beep followed by a brief correction stimulus to teach your dog not to pull. The makers of the Simple Leash are the first to say that this is not a substitute for positive-reinforcement training, but rather a tool to be used when dog obedience classes and clicker training and treats haven't worked and walking your dog is otherwise an unpleasant experience. Most dogs will only receive one or two corrections before learning that pulling causes the beep, and the beep precedes the correction.
Best for: Serious problem pullers. If you've tried positive reinforcement training but still avoid walking your dog, this is a tool that might work well for you.
Bonus: Nobody really wants their dog to have to get zapped, even if the correction stimulus isn't painful. The collar and leash comes with covers for the metal prods that deliver the correction, so you can actually use positive reinforcement when your dog responds to the beep without the risk of your dog receiving a correction.
Our experience: We had gotten to the point of dreading walks with one particular dog because, despite obedience classes and private trainers and hours of training with treats and clickers (not to mention trying many of the harnesses and such designed to curb pulling), she still pulled with all her might, particularly when crossing paths with other dogs.
After just one correction on our first walk with the Simple Leash, we saw an immediate difference. Our dog received only a couple of other corrections since then; the rest of the time, walking her has been a total pleasure. We praise her each time she responds to the beep, and she seems to actually associate that sound with walks and treats rather than the correction stimulus.
More from AOL: Got your dog under control, but still working on how to discipline your children? Weigh in at Parent Dish on whether or not you think spanking is ever appropriate.
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I can not believe you are even advertising leash #3, the "Simple Leash". This is awful and barbaric. If you seriously can't control your dog to the point it needs to get zapped, perhaps YOU need to get trained on how to better handle your dog. Why should your dog have to suffer because you haven't yet learned the skills or taken the time to hire a good trainer and practice???
I have 3 dogs, 2 of which were pullers. With positive reinforcement and treat rewards, they now walk at my side. Every now and then they may start to pull and you simply give a gentle tug on the leash and quickly turn in the opposite direction. Once the leash goes lax and they are no longer pulling, reward them and turn back in the direction they wish to go. You only need to practice this a little before they catch on. This is for lazy, ignorant people. I can image what Victoria Stilwell would say about this horrible device.
I agree! There is never (never!) a real need to use electric shock to train a dog.
I would never in a million years buy any dog leash that is attached to two dogs
at the same time, like leash #2. They may be OK in some instances, but my
rotweiler turns into a dynamo when he sees another animal running like a
rabbit or whatever, and if I had him attached to one of my other dogs, he
could snap the neck of the other dog as he starts to chase the rabbit or
other animal. I guess you would have to use your own judgement on this
but IT'S NOT FOR ME!!!
Device #3, the Simple Leash, uses painful electric shock. Of course the website dances around it, calling it something that sounds benign, to get you to buy the product.
This is common practice among shock-collar marketers. Think about that -- why would they do that? If shock is so harmless, why not just call it shock?
Any device or technique that uses pain to try to discourage behaviors in dogs is not necessary.
Even if you are willing to subject to your dog to pain, there are purely selfish reasons not to resort to this sort of thing. Devices like this can lead to aggression, destroyed relationships with the human, reluctance or refusal to go on walks, etc.
OK-I am so over political speak. The "Simple" leash is a SHOCK collar-I'd like to shock the owners of this company-I watched a family with an untrained golden the other day at a pet store shocking the hell out of their dog to try and stop jumping-when are we going to stop inflicting pain on animals? Oh-here is another favorite-a local trainer is marketing prong collars as "Mommy" collars-oh please-I'm going to "Mommy" her if I have the chance to meet her-if you don't have the time to build a trusting relationship with an animal-buy a stuffed one!
Just because Simple Leash calls it an "uncomfortable stimulus" does not mean it is any less of a shock for a dog. The makers of this product say that they've tried everything else to stop their dogs from pulling, so I can only imagine that they didn't have good guidance because there ARE methods that are VERY effective, even with the rowdy and difficult rescue dogs I work with, to help them walk nicely on a leash. And if you must use equipment, the front-hook harnesses, when properly fitted and used, are very effective in preventing pulling. One must understand first why dogs pull. I cannot imagine why anyone thinks it is okay to shock, even mildly, our "best friends." Plus, there's veterinary research that shows that aversive methods increase canine aggression! There are alternatives to shocking for any reason. Please look for products that do not shock your dogs, and find a positive, non-force trainer in your area if you need one!