How to choose
Hands-free works best with a calm walker
A leash attached to your body is great for jogging, errands and carrying coffee, but a dog who lunges can pull you off balance. Hold the leash in hand until your dog walks reasonably calmly, then switch to hands-free.
Check the weight rating
Wild One rates its rope leash for dogs up to 80 lb, and maxbone recommends the GO! With Ease for dogs up to 65 lb. Larger or very strong dogs are safer on a wide handheld leash.
Clip to a harness
For hands-free walking, clip the leash to a harness rather than a collar so any sudden pull is spread across the chest.
Head to head
Questions, answered
Are hands-free dog leashes safe?
Yes for dogs who walk reasonably calmly, clipped to a well-fitted harness and within the leash's weight rating. Hold the leash in hand for strong pullers.
Can I run with a hands-free leash?
Yes. Wear it around the waist so your arms swing freely. The Wild One rope leash is light, and the maxbone belt adjusts from 29 to 53 inches.
Is there a discount code for Wild One or maxbone?
Yes. Both have PetCriteria reader codes, shown beside each pick and on their discount-code pages.