If your dog is a stubborn type, or maybe just an over-excitable type, this article is for you. While it may be tempting to blame the dog, you have to accept the fact that some dogs are just more energetic than others. Thus, we need to find the best dog leash for pullers.
Quick Picks: The 5 Top-Rated Dog Leash for Pullers
Last update on 2024-04-12 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
In a hurry? Check our best pick above, or keep reading for product reviews and buying guide!
Best Dog Leash for Pullers – 5 Reviews
SparklyPets Heavy Duty Rope Leash
This is a multi-material leash that might not look all that strong at first glance. However, it fulfills most if not all of our durability requirements. First of all, its main cord is a braided nylon rope that is good and thick. The steel clasp at the end is made of black-coated steel, which is very good for rust resistance.
This leash wouldn’t be anything special without its bungee attachment. This bungee attachment should pretty much always be used with this leash, as there wouldn’t be much point to using it otherwise. This is a really good product for people who aren’t all that physically strong. Older people or people with health problems can also benefit from a bungee leash.
The stretch of a bungee cord does a lot to prevent the kind of sharp yanking that can pull an older person to the ground. It also takes some of the strain off the muscles of a smaller individual.
Pros:
- Thick nylon rope
- Handle is reinforced strongly
- Black coated steel clasps
- Double-layered nylon at the end of the bungee
- Bungee takes a lot of stress off the user
Cons:
- 2-piece design could create a weak point
- Dogs tend to chew bungee cords
- Clasp and ring should be thicker
Leashboss Original
Right away, I have some concerns with this leash. It mainly consists of a single nylon strap, and it is not particularly thick. As such, I wouldn’t recommend this one for large dogs. That being said, this product is far from useless.
The main feature of this leash is a second handle, located in the middle of the leash. When a dog gets out of hand, this second handle allows you to put both your arms to work. This makes it much easier to control an excited canine.
Because of the laws of physics, you will always have more control over an object when you grip it more closely. Thus, when your hand is closer to the end of the strap, it will have more pulling strength. To test this, take a jar of pickles from the refrigerator and open it. Chances are, you pulled the jar very close to your body as you twisted the lid. Now try the same thing with both your arms fully extended, and you will quickly see the superior leverage.
Pros:
- Comfortable handle
- Second handle gives better leverage
- Five foot length
- 5-year warranty
Cons:
- Not very thick
- Single-layer nylon strap
- Soft material on handles isn’t very tough
TobeDRI Heavy Duty Dog Leash
This is another flat nylon leash. However, this one is made up of two layers instead of one. As an additional plus, one of those layers is made of a reflective material for maximum visibility. This may not be particularly important if you live way out in the country. However, it can be a (literal) lifesaver for those who walk their dogs in busy urban areas at night.
A black coated clasp adds a little bit of weather resistance to the package, and the soft foam handles are also quite nice. I am a bit concerned that the soft neoprene foam would be very attractive for a dog that likes to chew. However, this risk will exist with any leash.
Pros:
- 2 layers thick
- Loop in the middle can be used as extra handle
- Reflective strip
- Six feet length
- 18 month warranty
Cons:
- Second handle is a little too far forward
- Neoprene foam might be an attractive chew target
- Handle has ridges that make it uncomfortable for those with large hands
BAAPET 5 FT Strong Dog Leash
I really like the look of this leash right off the bat. It seems to be a simple device made from half-inch thick nylon rope. This is the same diameter of rope that is normally used by rock climbers. Unless you’ve got some kind of huge mastiff dog, your dog is very unlikely to weigh more than you. If this rope can hold you, it can hold a dog.
The end of the rope is looped and padded, making a good handle. However, this handle can squeeze and pinch the user’s hands when serious pulling takes place. The leash is five feet long, which is good enough for most peoples’ needs. The rope is treated with a reflective material, so it’s good for urban walks.
Pros:
- Very strong rope
- Padded handle is comfortable
- Reflective properties
- Available in many colors
- Thickly coated clasp
Cons:
- Handle can sometimes pinch your hands
- No middle handle
- Rubberized covers are not very tough
TUG Leash
This is the only retractable leash on our list. However, it is one of the better retractable leashes on the market. Don’t get this for a medium or large dog, however. The thin tape-like line of the leash is not enough for serious pulling.
That being said, this would be a fine choice for owners of small dogs. The nylon line is still quite strong for its size and should be able to withstand anything a small dog can reasonably do. The opening in the front is made in a special way that allows the leash to be retracted from any angle without slowing down the mechanism.
Pros:
- Durable for a leash of this type
- Patented multi-angle retraction
- Comfortable ergonomic grip
- Thumb lock is easy to operate
Cons:
- Only good for small dogs
- New innovations can sometimes mean trouble
What to Look for in a Heavy Duty Dog Leash
Since you are still reading this article, I will assume that your dog is a serious puller. As such, you cannot just buy a cheap leash and be done. Your dog will probably break a leash that isn’t suited for a high-energy pet.
If this happens at the wrong time, the consequences could be pretty bad.
The Worst-Case Scenario AKA “Why You Need A Stiff Dog Leash”
I have owned a dog that didn’t really get along with other dogs. For certain breeds, this is perfectly normal behavior. This is especially true if you have two males meeting for the first time. In some cases, a territorial animal isn’t a bad thing. Such animals make the best guard dogs.
However, there are certain risks that you take if you choose to own a territorial creature. The main thing is that you have a responsibility to make sure your animal is controlled at all times. A broken leash in a public park at a key moment could spell serious trouble for all involved.
What You Don’t Want
Before we get into any discussion about specific products, we should give you a general idea of what you want to avoid. Before figuring out what you want to buy, it’s better to figure out what you don’t want to buy.
First of all, avoid anything that contains plastic parts. Regardless of what kind of plastic it may be, it simply isn’t strong enough to withstand a dedicated strain. Don’t worry if you see a plastic cover on a steel part, of course. The parts that hold the leash together should preferably be made of coated steel. Look at the thickness of the parts and consider how well they will hold up over time.
Bear in mind that even steel can fail. Cheap leashes will often have clasps made of highly inferior steel. These leashes will seem to work great at first, but will fail before long. You want high-grade steel that has been coated with a more resistant metal so as to resist rusting. Chrome is ok, but a dark finish is even better.
What You Do Want
We’ve already mentioned the importance of good steel, but what about the rest of the leash? The leather is the traditional material of choice. If you opt for leather, make sure it’s very thick and rough. Coated leather is also a plus because it will resist rotting and weathering. If you don’t know what this means, just look for the shiniest leather that you can find. I would consider braided leather to be the superior choice.
Nylon is also an acceptable material, so don’t shy away if you see that. Nylon has an extremely high tensile strength compared to leather. Mountain climbers trust their lives to nylon rope on a daily basis, so I’d say it should be good enough for your dog.
If you’ve got a huge dog, and they pull very hard, I would recommend something with a steel cable at its core. Most dog owners do not require such a serious measure, but those leashes are available for those with an extreme need.
Thickness
Thickness is an important criterion. Even if your leash is made of good material, it won’t matter if the leash is too thin. I have seen medium-sized dogs break small pieces of steel, so don’t make the mistake of thinking that it’s impossible.
The line itself should not be a thin ribbon like those worthless dollar-store leashes, regardless of whether the leash is round (like a rope) or flat. Flat leashes are fine, but they must consist of more than one layer. If not, they will probably not be strong enough for big dogs.
Consider The Size Of Your Dog
Not everyone needs to buy a super-thick hardcore leash. If you have a small dog, your requirements are obviously going to be a little less radical. The size of your dog will make a huge difference in terms of your best choice. For instance, retractable leashes tend to be somewhat flimsy compared to their non-retractable cousins. However, they are still perfectly suitable for small dogs if they are well-made.
By contrast, you would never want to use a retractable leash for a mastiff or a greyhound, or even a German Shepherd. They just aren’t reliable or strong enough. On the opposite side of the spectrum, it would be kind of pointless to buy a huge leash for a small dog. Although there is no risk of the leash breaking, it will probably be too heavy for a little dog. Also, bigger leashes tend to cost more, and no one wants to waste money, do they?
Final Thoughts
Altogether, the TobeDRI leash seems like the best dog leash for pullers. When examining the reviews for all of these leashes, we found that most of them had a high approval rating. However, the TobeDRI stood above the others in that there do not seem to be any valid complaints. The BAAPET leash was a close second, as some users have reported issues with durability over time.
The TobeDRI leash also got some points for having a second handle without making it into a gimmick. I would rather it have been a little closer to the first handle, but it still works fine. Also, two layered pieces of nylon should be strong enough for any dog.
We hope that this article has been helpful and enjoyable and that the information provided here will help you to make the best-informed decision on behalf of your furry friend.