How To Correctly Use A Hands-Free Leash

[@mikki1212]

This is an older video, but I started training my puppy with a normal leash and struggled with rewarding and communicating with him despite practicing in puppy class multiple times. He wasn't coming along as fast as the other puppies as an independent sighthound, so I switched to a diy hands free (first in the house then outside) and we've been communicating way better, and I'm able to use my hands to hold his attention and reward faster/differently. I would recomend this if you have a puppy that might be more independent because it forces them to pay more mind to the ways we're moving, too.

[@dnetto034]

OMGosh this makes so much sense. I tried this yrs ago BUT the one I bought had the capability to walk 2 dogs at the same time. I had 2 American Bulldogs. My male was leash trained. My female (who I rescued) was not. I have no doubt that if anyone saw me...they had a good laugh. 🤷🏼‍♀️🤣🤷🏼‍♀️ I am omw home right now with an 8 week old puppy. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@danielehume9217]

I have a 6 year older service dog that I have decided to switch from a long leash to a hands free leash. This video has been an resource for my plan to begin training with a hands free leash. Thank u so much for sharing this!

[@SaraOndrako]

I’m so glad that you found it valuable! It makes a big difference to be able to walk with your dog and not have to hold a leash. I train all of our service dogs on one 😊

[@londonstudioliving]

Getting my handsfree leash tomorrow. Im excited to use it!!

[@SaraOndrako]

Excellent! Happy training! 🐶

[@zebonautsmith1541]

will be going hands free after getting a bad case of "dog walkers elbow" from a tugging husky who gets excited over other dogs and squirrels. (can't extend my painful elbow for a week now). Yes there is such a thing, related to "tennis elbow".

[@SaraOndrako]

Yikes! Sorry you are dealing with that. Start off with your hands-free leash inside and get that nice loose leash walk down pat before venturing outdoors. Once you've got that down well, then you can work in the front yard, back yard, and then in an area such as a wide open park where distractions such as other dogs (and those pesky - but super cute - squirrels) are at a tolerable distance. Keeping below her threshold and engaging with her in a fun way with those distractions in the distance can help build up her tolerance. Then you can work closer and closer to distractions the more she can handle it! Keep me posted!

[@ApbfDog]

All of our service puppies in training use the hands-free leash system! 🥰

[@JP-pf7jz]

Thanks for this, purchased one by accident - considering keeping it.

[@SaraOndrako]

I use them for so many things! Clipping into the car, clipping to an o-ring at home for puppy training - the list goes on! :)

[@jeffreyhord]

Never used a hands-free leash but Bateman and I are definitely intrigued!

[@insomniah]

Bateman lmao

[@markdiesto2550]

Thank you for the tips and info. Im excited to have my hands free leash which i ordered last week. 😊

[@SaraOndrako]

You are so welcome! Happy training!

[@ruftime]

Thank you!

[@SILVERSTREAK925]

Got a Kong's Hand Free Leash with pouch today. Great video and tips!!

[@jamiepearson9790]

Thank you for this video. I have a 3 year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel who is still struggling with leash leash walking. This bread is prone to collapsed trachea so was told never to attach this leash to any kind of collar. What would you suggest? Would a harness be ok in this situation?

[@SaraOndrako]

Hi! Yes - a harness would be perfectly fine. I tend to attach the leash to the back clip rather than a front clip on a harness so as not to affect their mobility. IN teaching loose leash walking, you'll want to use multiple exercises that all lead to the same end result (your pup by your side walking with you or being still with you). Here is a video with some of the heel exercises that I use (starting inside at home under no distraction). Hope that helps! kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHrcp6mAp5l4bbMsi=q47r7k8uubRLcAsz

[@monicagallant1750]

I haven’t used this tool yet, but thanks to your video and education, I plan to to try it!

[@SaraOndrako]

You'll love this one! It is so very helpful :)

[@monicagallant1750]

@@SaraOndrako I am working on it and my 60 pound pup is making slow and gradual progress, but he does react to other dogs on the leash and I’ll have to build my confidence that I can maintain control with this leash and not be pulled down. He doesn’t lunge at other dogs he mostly barks and goes up on his hind legs.

[@monicagallant1750]

Gonna order one today!

[@SaraOndrako]

Start at a distance from distractions where you are still able to keep his focus and gradually work towards distractions. Using focus games can help you make some progress and always remember that movement is your friend to avoid fixation!

[@dawnmantle7104]

Sara, how do you play inside if they are attached? If I toss a toy they can't just run for the toy on their own.

[@SkaegSkater]

Great video, thanks. Do you think I could use this technique to train my dog to skate with me hands free? I already have her heel, sit, stay trained and she is about 5 months (lab). If so, is bungee better or should I train her on a non-bungee leash?

[@SaraOndrako]

Thanks and great question! Yes, you could definitely use the hands-free leash to teach your dog to skate with you! In this particular instance I would actually go with a bungee only because if your young pup who is still learning pulls a bit, the shock absorption in the bungee will probably help in not destabilizing you. It has just a little extra give with the bounce back. Start off getting her used to the skates and/or skateboard and just heeling with you slowly on a flat surface. Use lots of encouragement and something yummy here or there to let her know she’s doing great by staying by your side. With skating, to give your dog some distance from the wheels when moving fast, you’ll want to most likely let her out of a heel but still require a loose leash to move forward. What a great activity to do with your dog! The only other thing I’ll mention - just to be careful - you don’t want her in a full run for more than a mile at a time until she’s about a year old to give her growth plates time to close. Have fun!

[@mzsaintsquare8923]

Im new Foster care parents soon to be. 🤗🤗🤗🙏🏽

[@richardjones4080]

been subbed for a while great work as always btw yes i realise this is an older 1

[@SaraOndrako]

Thanks Richard! It may be old but it's still gold ;) I use this practice all of the time and hope it will continue helping pet parents for many years. Since you've been subbed for awhile - what videos do you want to see more of?

[@janewhiting2066]

Which leassh would you recommend for @rosiethepoodle please. She's a well behaved miniature but I want hands free to help with my market shopping.

[@SaraOndrako]

Hi Jane! My favorite go-to is definitely the classic pet Safe Hands-free leash: amzn.to/39QY4rq Id love to hear how it goes with Rosie! 😊

[@janewhiting2066]

@@SaraOndrako thank you. I prefer to support my local petshop rather than the world's richest giant lizard (🤣) so will ask them to get some in and let you know. Jane n @rosiethepoodle

[@debrasunderland365]

Hi! Great video. What belt and hands free leash are you using? How do I hire you too? Thank you.

[@SaraOndrako]

Hi there! This is my go-to hands-free leash: amzn.to/3F690OM You can visit my website: saraondrako.com and hit the Train With Sara button ☺️

[@anandersonnovel]

How does this work with new puppies that sleep a lot. Do you keep them attached to you during that time too?

[@SaraOndrako]

Great question - no - I do crate naps with puppies in a separate room (after giving them enrichment in the crate) to help also build independent confidence. If I have the time to snuggle with them for a nap on the couch, those are always okay too and good bonding time but I always give at least one independent nap per day away from everyone.

[@donjames5761]

didn't this used to be referred to as leash bonding ? my dad was a police k9 trainer. and I heard him mention it

[@SaraOndrako]

Another term used for this type of training is umbilical training. I've not heard of leash bonding before but it's certainly likely that there are lots of terms for it floating out there 😊

[@traceycameron5930]

My Lagotto (5 months) is chewing the leash. It is ripping in the first day, despite ongoing redirection. The leash recomended is not good for a chewer.

[@SaraOndrako]

Hi Tracey! The problem is definitely not the leash, it's the behavior of inappropriate chewing in this case. I'd work to determine the cause of the chewing so that your dog is safe to walk on any leash of your choosing. Some potential causes could be trying to engage in play with you, boredom, and frustration. Also a 5 month old puppy is still in the teething phase so some (what we consider) inappropriate chewing is to be expected until all of those little needle puppy teeth fall out and the adult teeth come in. You've got about one more month to hang in there! In the meantime, try increasing your play with your puppy, increasing your puppy's enrichment (see my 10 Feeding Ideas for Enrichment Video if you need some suggestions or visit my enrichment page on Amazon: amzn.to/3qSTmy0) and waiting out some of those behaviors that you don't want to see repeated such as jumping or biting at the leash while you try to apply it - wait for calm and quiet behavior. Happy training!

[@DaveneNorkaitis]

Does this cause the dog to become too attached to you.. as in not leaving your side when home.. I guess meaning becoming too attached and causing anxiety!?

[@SaraOndrako]

Excellent question! No - this won't cause the dog to become overly attached and is an excellent way to bond as well as help your dog learn your movements and your body language. What WILL most often create an attachment issue that leads to separation related problems like separation anxiety is not giving the dog independent time each day to feel comfortable when alone. For example, crate time during a nap period with an enrichment piece (to keep independent time fun). Even if you are home all day, separating your dog with a fun activity and/or during a rest period can help prevent separation related problems. 😊

[@DaveneNorkaitis]

@@SaraOndrako thanks so much!!💜

[@ameliesvj3658]

Your video is very choppy and hard to see 👀

[@lifelonglearner4532]

This is dangerous if you get stuck in a train or elevator door as the sensors only sense body parts not Velcro...if you or your dog decided not to follow you right away.the leash will be a problem,,, possible injury to you or your dog

[@SaraOndrako]

I work service dogs on trains, busses, and in airplanes and have never had anything close to this happen. I think general awareness of your dog and not being distracted when exiting and entering transit systems can avoid this problem easily as well as with any other piece of equipment.

[@kt1pl2]

Now I'm wondering why you'd be wearing this in the kitchen with the dog attached.

[@SaraOndrako]

To teach my dog to keep all four paws on the floor in the kitchen so they don't end up being a counter-surfer and eating something that could land them in the hospital (or stealing my dinner). 😊

[@DB.KOOPER]

Step one, throw it in the trash... these things are THE stupidest fad around. The only reason to use one would be because you can stand to not have your precious smart-phone in both your hands 24/7. This is a fad plain and simple and it's a DUMB one with absolutely no benefit and only huge risks.

[@SaraOndrako]

Interesting opinion. I can tell you're passionate about it. Something to consider - most people have the habit of trying to steer the dog with the leash and cause problems with the dogs becoming overly numb to tension from yanking the leash, which can be quite problematic. Taking the hands out of the equation with a hands-free leash is one of the fastest and easiest ways to remove using the leash as a steering wheel and causing problems. This gives the person the opportunity to focus on actions that WILL help teach the dog how to walk nicely such as shaping and luring.