Dog leashes aren’t just a rope and collar hook anymore. You’ve got options – various types of dog leashes are tailored to your pup’s walking style. 

Hands-Free Dog Leash

Best For: Small-to-medium breed dogs that don’t pull, hikers, and runners

If you prefer to run with your pup instead of walking, try hitting the trail with a hands-free dog leash. These types of dog leashes are not handheld and are instead secured around your waist. You’ll still attach the hook to your dog’s harness or collar.

A hands-free dog leash makes it easier for you to focus on keeping up the pace with your pup. These types of dog leashes work best for medium and small-breed pups. Hands-free dog leashes can work for large breeds too as long as they don’t pull, which could cause injury to your back. 

Our favorite hands-free dog leash is the Hitch Hiker Leash by Ruffwear. This versatile leash has an adjustable length for you to decide how close you want your dog next to you on runs. You can use the leash provided or attach your own leash to the carabiner. There’s even a little pouch on this leash to walk essentials like treats or poop bags. 

Double Dog Leash

Best For: Pet parents who need to walk two dogs at the same time 

If you have multiple dogs in the house, try upgrading your walks with a double dog leash. Typically, a 2-dog leash has two short leashes for each dog that attach to a single leash for the pet parent to hold. These types of dog leashes allow you to walk two pups at the same time without the twists and tangles of multiple leads. 

You can buy a double dog leash on its own or as a connection for your existing leash. We recommend the Mighty Paw Double Dog Leash because it’s sturdy, strong, and easy to use. The leash comes in two sizes: lite for dogs under 30 pounds and standard for dogs 30 pounds or more. 

Front-Lead Dog Leash & Harness

Best For: Dogs that struggle with pulling or reactivity 

Dogs love to go on walks. They love the exercise and mental stimulation of new sights and smells. Many pet parents have dogs that get overexcited on walks and can’t get where they’re going fast enough. This is when leash pulling becomes a problem and walks become more of a chore than an enjoyable activity. 

To correct leash pulling, try walking your pup with a front-lead dog leash or harness. These types of dog leashes connect to the front of your dog’s chest through a harness or a lead that goes over their face. This means when your dog pulls on the leash, the front lead will automatically turn them around towards you to correct the behavior. 

Front-lead dog leashes are very effective for pups that pull. Turning them around when they pull reminds them that putting pressure on the leash won’t get them through the walk any faster. You can try this method by purchasing a front-lead harness from Lucy & Co and attaching a standard leash to the chest hook. 

Retractable Dog Leash

Best For: Well-trained, calm dogs that aren’t reactive 

The retractable dog leash is a popular pick among dog parents because it has an adjustable length. You can freeze the length however you’d like, but most people adjust the length based on how far away another person or dog is. 

Although retractable leashes are convenient for humans, they are incredibly confusing to your dog. Since these types of dog leashes allow you to adjust the length, your dog won’t be able to figure out how far away to walk from you. We suggest using any other non-adjustable length leash so your dog knows a safe walking distance. 

Retractable dog leashes also have a pretty long lead at 10-15 feet. If your pup is walking this far away from you, it’s much harder to keep them safe from the harm of bicycles, cars, and other dogs. Learn more about why you shouldn’t use a retractable dog leash on our blog. 

What types of dog leashes should I use? 

Before picking out a new leash, consider how your dog currently acts on walks. Do they constantly pull you along? Does your pup like to walk right by your side? Are you walking multiple dogs at the same time?

All of these questions can help you decide on the best dog leash for your pup. For instance, dogs that pull or are reactive to other pups on their walk won’t benefit from a traditional leash. 

Instead, pet parents with these types of pups may enjoy walking with a front-lead or martingale leash. These types of dog leashes correct your dog if they try to pull on walks. 

Non-reactive pups that are more tepid on walks don’t need a fancy dog leash. A simple slip leash or standard dog leash will be most comfortable for these pups since pulling isn’t a worry.