Dog walking belts - recommendations?

[Bupster]

Hi everyone,

Does anyone use a dog walking belt, and if so, how have you found it, and do you have any recommendations?

My young hooligan is learning loose lead walking but it's what you might call a work in progress, and as he's from working lines it goes out the window when he can smell wildlife. I want to let him sniff when we're out in places like parks or commons, but even when he's doing well on a long line and checking in regularly, he does occasionally yank me hard enough to cause injury. So I'm looking at a way to manage him on a long line when there's a risk that he's going to get over-excited and not be able to remember there's someone on the other end of the lead.

I'm not interested in using no-pull harnesses, head halters or slip leads - we're working on loose lead walking the slow way (it would be quicker if we didn't keep getting ambushed by cats 🙄). I'm just looking to manage him on a long line in a way that lets my arms recover from existing hooligan-related injuries.

Hooligan tax attached.

Trekking belt 2.0 - I use these for mine when they're young.

But I would say the belt does lower your centre of gravity slightly, so it can make it even worse if you've got a tugger. I found leaning back to try and overset this to be the best way to stop the stumbling.

Tbh I'm mostly just here for Bill😍

Just for you, @LandSharksAnonymous 😄

I might be criticised for this, and if anyone has better ideas I am all ears.. but I think I have a similar problem.

Mine is still young, loves training but loose lead on a flat collar has taken a long time to sink in. He’s mostly good these days but still somewhat impulsive and just occasionally legs it full speed to the end of the long line. He’s quite chunky so has some force behind him!

I’m actually using a flexi lead (correct weight limit and replaced regularly) that has a stretchy bit on the end. I didn’t really want to use this to be honest and persisted with a long line for ages, but it does take some force out on the odd occasion he does go full steam ahead. I also thought about a belt but decided it had too much risk of a back injury or me falling if he caught me off guard. I use it in the same situations I would have used a long line, so basically quiet fields.

I use one by MMDoggear that I found on ebay. It's fairly cheap but I find it really good quality and comfortable to wear.
Only use it on occasion but good to have.

My DH uses a Non-Stop dogwear Ferd belt and it’s great. He uses it everyday as we have a puller! He finds it much more comfortable than just holding the lead.

We have a few leads, but the main one that’s used is a 5m one, that we have then tied some extra handles/loops into. He can have him closer and then give him a bit more length for sniffs etc when they aren’t by the road.

@Bupster
Aww bill ❤️
Me and Milo miss reading about you and hooligan 🤣
I'm also interested in reading about belts!!

https://twiggytags.co.uk/collections/leads/products/multi-way-lead-dog-onyx

Not sure if you mean something like this? I have mine clipped around my waist everyday and the other end clipped to my dogs harness so that she walks to heel. I’m sure you could attach a longline if needed.

Having tried a walking belt and a Cani-Cross belt I'd go for the Cani-cross one. Just a cheap one will be fine but the leg loops help keep it in the right position and give you more stability. The walking belt just rode up and ended up around the waist rather than hips making it dangerous for a big jerk. A bungee on the end of the long line may also help for those shocks.

As they get bigger it may be worth looking up the belay breaking system. I think it is Grisha Stewart that has a good set up if I remember rightly!

Bill's getting a feathery bum! I thought of you - didn't Milo get all feathery at a year old?

Yes,
This is how feathery scruffy he is currently.