Take a Hand’s Off Approach to Dog Walks With Hands-Free Walking Syst

by Kevin Roberts

Published: February 2nd, 2016

take a hands off approach to dog walks with hands free walking syst

Look, Ma – no hands! Keeping your hands free while walking your dog offers a host of benefits. Kevin Roberts has some tips for going hands free while trekking with your pooches.

Hands-free dog walking is an unfettered option for those who enjoy spending time on the trails with their four-legged friends. I’m a huge fan of using a hand-free dog walking system because I can use trekking poles for technical or longer distance hikes. An added bonus is that with my dogs tethered to me, my hands are free to dish out treats, take pictures and pick up poop. And these days, there are plenty of hands-free walking systems out there to choose from, depending on the type of dog you have.

Overall, hands-free dog walking systems are split into two classifications: one for dogs who pull, and another for dogs who don’t pull.

Systems for Dogs Who Don’t Pull

If you have a well-mannered dog who doesn’t pull your arms out of the sockets while walking, enjoy it! These types of dogs can go on a hands-free leash either attached to a collar or a standard harness. One thing to be aware of: avoid a no-pull harness that is designed to restrict your dog’s natural gait. Long-term use can result in joint and health problems down the road. No-pull harnesses should only be used on the advice of a certified dog trainer as a short-term solution while you train your dog to walk properly beside you.

Non-pulling dogs should be put on an adjustable short leash, because they are going to be trained to walk close to you. A shorter leash means you won’t be tripping on it.

Keep in mind that the shorter the dog, the longer the leash needs to be. Sounds simple enough, but not all hands-free systems are adjustable. If you’re planning on walking a short dog, ensure the leash is long enough to reach down comfortable to his height. Likewise, if you are going hands free with a larger dog, you’ll need a shorter leash so that the dog avoids tripping on it. Adjustable hands-free leashes really take the guess work out of settling on the right length.

Now that your dog is walking politely next to you, put those free hands to use! When your dog is behaving properly, be sure to offer lots of tasty rewards and praise. The more praise your dog receives, the more likely he’ll walk where you want him.

Systems for Dogs Who Pull

When you’ve got a puller on your hands, the ultimate benefit of a hands-free leash is that your arm isn’t ripped out of its socket! But remember, with all that pulling power attached to your waist, special consideration needs to be taken into account or you’re going to be end up with a back injury.

I’ve found that the best hands-free leashes for dogs that pull can be found at any mushing supply company. These are wide enough to support all the way across the back. Plus, everything on this type of leash is made to be heavy duty, with durable sewn straps in place and metal loops that have been welded. Over time, a dog who pulls will put some real pressure on these systems, and you want one that’s going to last.

Dogs who pull will benefit from being fitted in a proper style half harness or shoulder style harness. These harnesses offer generous padding and allow the dog a full range of motion.

Even though your dog likes to pull while on a hands-free system, he must still be under your control. Your dog shouldn’t be allowed to pull you to the point that he’s gasping and wheezing for air. And when your dog is well behaved, there’s less of a chance that you’ll be pulled off your feet!

Hands Free Doesn’t Mean Carefree

Hands-free dog walking systems are wonderful, but it does add an element of danger for the user. While you’re tethered to your dog, you’ll need to pay extra attention to your surroundings. Sure, it looks funny on America’s Funniest Home Videos, but it’s not a laughing matter when you and your dog clothesline a tree! Other catastrophes waiting to happen include nosedives off of cliffs and encounters with wildlife and off-leash dogs. I’m not trying to scare you off of them, but if you choose to use a hands-free system, you have GOT to pay attention and be prepared!

To be used safely, hands- free systems need even more training than a regular leash. Once you figure out which system is the right one for you, spend some time to train your dog and yourself, to use it properly.

Kevin Roberts

Kevin Roberts lives for adventure. Together with his pack of rescue dogs and his husband, he spends as much time outdoors as possible. Kevin lives by the motto: "Get outside and play with your dogs!

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New Bill Will Eliminate Housing Barriers for Pet Owners In California

California tenants with pets rejoice - a new bill that stops landlords from denying housing to pet owners is in the works!The chair of the California Legislative Renters Caucus, Matt Haney, has introduced legislation that would compel landlords to accept tenants with pets. The bill, AB 2216, will insist that landlords have reasonable reason(s) for not allowing a pet in the rental unit. The biggest change, however, is that the bill prevents property owners from asking about pet ownership before the tenant’s application has been approved.The new bill, which is sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, aims to solve a big problem in the rental world - a surplus of tenants with pets and a lack of landlords willing to rent to them.California has one of the highest number of tenants in the country, and close to 70% of them are pet owners. Alas, under current law, only around 30% of all rentals are pet-friendly. The lack of pet-friendly housing is causing almost a million tenants to keep pets in their rentals hidden from their landlords. This solves nothing. On one hand, landlords are left without adequate coverage for potential damages. On the other hand, pet owners are left living in constant fear of being kicked out of their homes. Andrea Amavisca, a senior legislative advocate at the California Immigration Policy Center, told the LA Times that she and her partner spent over a month looking for a two-bedroom rental in Sacramento that would allow for a small cattle dog mix.“Landlords that initially liked our application would suddenly stop answering our calls once they found out we had a dog. Or others would require a pet deposit close to $1,000 that would put the unit totally out of our budget.”Amavisca added it felt unfair that almost every landlord had a different pet policy with varying fees they could change as they pleased. Some landlords charged only $20 a month while others asked for four-figure cleaning deposits. The new bill doesn’t address fees and doesn’t prevent landlords from excluding certain types of pets. Haney’s legislation defines a common household pet as a domesticated animal, such as a cat or dog, that is kept in the home for pleasure rather than commercial uses. While pet owners are relieved to hear about the legislation, property owners are already expressing their concerns. The biggest issue is that landlords will be forced to take on pets, and the increased risk of potential property damage that comes with pets, without a pet deposit as a safeguard. Haney explained that exceptions would be made for landlords with reasonable excuses for not allowing pets on their property. “What we see too often is just these blanket prohibitions of pets with no good reason for it, with no required justification for it and no protection of pet owners, who represent the majority of California’s renters, to be able to access housing just like anyone else,” said Haney.According to Jenny Berg, California director for the Humane Society of the United States, extra fees and bans add to the overcrowding crisis in animal shelters nationwide. “One of the reasons why people relinquish their pets is because they can’t find affordable housing or housing at all that can accommodate their pets,” she said. Haney’s bill could make a massive change, as it would remove the barriers tenants face when looking for housing for them and their four-legged companions.“We want a renter to be considered first and decision made about whether they meet the requirements for the apartment,” said Haney. “And then, after that fact, they disclose that they have a pet. And only if there’s a reasonable rationale to deny them, that would be allowed.” Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Pet Owners Distraught After Nationwide Drops Their Insurance Claims

Nationwide, the nation's largest pet insurance company, is canceling coverage for around 100,000 pets across the country, blaming inflation, rising costs of veterinary care, and other factors threatening the profitability of its pet insurance business. “ As pet lovers ourselves, we understand the emotions connected to the protection of our family pets. Inflation in the cost of veterinary care and other factors have led to recent underwriting changes and plan availability in some states - difficult actions necessary to ensure a financially sustainable future for our pet insurance line of business,” the company shared in a statement. This decision is leaving thousands of pet owners in a difficult situation. Although Nationwide insists that prior claims history and age aren’t a factor, most of the canceled policies are for older pets with pre-existing medical conditions that may not be insurable elsewhere. Nationwide, which insures around 1.2 million pets nationwide, began sending letters to the affected policyholders this spring and will continue to do so into the summer of 2025. The company’s statement comes only after policyholders started to complain on social media about the letters they received, especially owners of pets with pre-existing health problems that require several hundred dollars a month for veterinary care and medicine to treat. “Pet owners are contemplating euthanizing sick pets because they are uninsured, and all they can say is they need to make more money, so too bad,” said Robin Tobias of Aventura, Florida. She is one of tens of thousands of owners who received a letter from Nationwide in April notifying her that the policy for her dog Ginger won’t be renewed. Tobias shared the letter she received from Nationwide with The Columbus Dispatch. “After careful review of our products, we have elected to discontinue certain plans, including Whole Pet, which will no longer be offered in your state,” the letter said. “The same economic pressures from inflation, higher interest rates, and rising that have caused unprecedented losses for the American insurance industry are affecting the pet industry as well, leading to difficult decisions such as this.” Ginger’s insurance policy ends July 23. Tobias bought the policy when Ginger was just a puppy and pays $160 a month for insurance to cover a seven-year-old dog with a heart murmur. Nationwide’s latest move is concerning for many reasons and can even put additional pressure on already overcrowded animal shelters across the country. Owners of older pets with health problems may be forced to abandon their pets because they can’t afford to pay for medication and care and can’t get coverage from another pet insurance company. “That’s the reason why you take insurance,” said Tobias. “Down the road, you’re going to need it. It’s horrifying really.”“For us, dogs have been our children. Everything we do is to protect our children.” Tobias believes she has found a company that will cover Ginger, but she fears others won’t be as lucky. For Christie Keith who has been paying more than $700 a month in pet insurance premiums to insure her three dogs, the news came as a shock. The company’s decision to cancel her claims is particularly troubling because her older dogs both needed medical treatment recently. Nationwide notified Keith that policies for her dogs would expire at renewal dates and that she couldn’t purchase lesser policies for her dogs. Owners of pets with pre-existing medical conditions might be better off with other options, like saving up in advance for potential medical emergencies that can happen in the future. Another option is to find a vet willing to work on a payment plan. Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

Ghosts of Dead Pets May Help Owners Deal With Grief, Study Finds

Descriptions of paranormal encounters with the ghosts of deceased loved ones can be found in many human cultures. According to a YouGov survey, two in five Americans believe ghosts are real, while one in five report they’ve actually seen a ghost. In most cases, these paranormal experiences involve a deceased family member. But what about paranormal encounters with deceased pets? After all, most American paw parents consider their cats and dogs members of the family.Jennifer Golbeck, a computer science professor at the College of Information Studies at the University of Maryland, recently conducted the very first systemic study of the supernatural experiences of grieving pet owners. The results of the study were published in the journal Anthrozoos.Golbeck ran the study using social media, posting a question on Instagram and X (formerly known as Twitter): “If you have lost a dog, have you had an experience like seeing their ghost, receiving a sign, did they communicate with you?” Then, she developed a coding system to categorize the answers.Golbeck received 544 responses, which she organized into two large categories - physical experiences (hearing, seeing, and touching the ghost of the dog) and interpreted experiences (receiving visits from the deceased dog in dreams, seeing signs in nature, and attributing feelings and phenomena to the spirit of the dog). A total of 315 owners experienced sensory encounters involving their dogs' ghost. The owners felt their dog’s touch, heard ghostly sounds, and saw their deceased pet. The most common sensory experience (37% of cases) involved hearing the dog, like a bark or the sound of nails clicking on the floor. Almost half (44.4%) of the physical experiences happened at night, and 45 owners reported that they’ve felt their dog lying in the bed next to them. According to Golbeck, 264 owners experienced interpreted interactions with the ghost of their dog. These included dreams in which the dog appeared, ghostly activities, such as objects moving, and signs in nature, which owners interpreted as messages from the deceased pet. Golbeck also asked the owners to describe their feelings about their supernatural experiences. The majority of respondents (74.6%) reported positive feelings, such as a sense of comfort, protection, reassurance, and even a gift. Only in a few cases (9%) owners reported feelings that fell into the mixed/sad category, including bittersweet, spooky, and heartbroken. The remaining pet owners (16%) viewed the paranormal encounters as messages from the deceased pet. According to Golbeck, these findings are significant because “psychology largely categorizes externalized continuing bonds - particularly seeing ghosts - as negative and even maladaptive.”On the other hand, the majority of pet parents participating in this study considered their supernatural experiences comforting rather than distressing. “This suggests there is something different going on in the grieving process for dog guardians that makes supernatural encounters operate differently than they do in more typical human mourning,” Golbeck wrote in the study.The study’s author also noted that there are only a few socially accepted rituals around pet animal deaths and no recognized mourning period. Often, pet owners' grief is downplayed, which creates an experience of disenfranchised grief where the owner is denied the grieving process. Golbeck also added that ghosts typically have a bad reputation, and are considered scary or a sign of guilt. However, she argues that seeing the ghosts of dead pets can be psychologically healthy, as they are displays of continuing bonds. “A seemingly magical visit from a ghost of a beloved lost dog offers a feeling of the mystical, the special, and a signifier of the importance of the relationship,” said Golbeck. “Such experiences would reasonably be seen as validating and comforting in the face of the invalidation of disenfranchised grief.”Join the PetGuide community. Get the latest pet news and product recommendations by subscribing to our newsletter here.

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