# Looking for leash suggestions Akira almost got killed and was almost lost yesterday because of his leash that convinently unhooked on the corner of a busy street. We always have a problem with the metal hooks most leash have, for some reasons Akira does the "Shiba Shake" and the hooks opens, I've bought a couple of them and it'… ## Thread In General · started by AkiraleShiba · 19 replies - **Category:** [General](https://nihonken.org/community/c/general) - **Forum:** [Nihon Ken Forum](https://nihonken.org/community/) ## AkiraleShiba · 2008-09-30T18:52:02.000Z Akira almost got killed and was almost lost yesterday because of his leash that convinently unhooked on the corner of a busy street. We always have a problem with the metal hooks most leash have, for some reasons Akira does the "Shiba Shake" and the hooks opens, I've bought a couple of them and it's always the same thing. So does any of you knows of a good leash without the standard metal hook that's heavy duty. I am thinking of this A French Martingale Leash ## Kaddy · 2008-09-30T19:06:07.000Z That leash you linked is the very first thing that came to my mind! ## _dlroberts · 2008-09-30T19:20:47.000Z A collar leash combination like you linked to is probably the only thing that is essentially guaranteed not to come off unexpectedly. I've never had this problem, but I have owned a LOT of leashes over the last year+. (I have this obsession with having matched gear and I had to change collars a bunch.) The collar and leash combination that I use now is from silverfoot. It has the sturdiest and tightest closing latch of any leash I've used so far. I'd be very surprised if Akira found a way to get that one open. Let me know what you go with...I'm always on the lookout for new gear. ;-) ## tobyshiba · 2008-09-30T19:41:58.000Z I have the leash and poo bag holder combo leash from Ruffwear, the hooks on them are different than normal hooks, i've had no issues with it. :) ## Sangmort (moderator) · 2008-09-30T22:18:44.000Z Naughty Boy! Glad to hear he's safe :) ~ ## Harlow · 2008-10-01T00:24:14.000Z Our Shibas have flat leather collars for walks and we tape over the clip with electrician's tape. They wear rolled leather collars with their tags on them all of the time. We put the 'dog walk' collar on and leave their rolled collars on also. The walk collar is cinched tighter then the rolled collar so they can't slip out, so it tends to ride higher up on their necks. Before we taped the clip, they often opened it when they dove into bushes trying to 'hunt' things down. Then it was panic time! ## lindsayt · 2008-10-01T07:56:04.000Z I prefer to use a modified show lead that fits up high on her neck but has a martingale collar built into it. Their are no clasps or metal hooks and it can't come off unless I take it off. She already figured out how to unclasp her 6 ft standard leather lead and rolled collar so I never go on walks without at least a martingale and horse clasp (lead these are much harder to undo and I think you can get them at feed stores). ## brandon_w (admin) · 2008-10-01T10:15:42.000Z You could get a lead from Ella's Leads: http://www.ellaslead.com/featured\_products?b=1 They have a lot of different types. You can also have them customized so that instead of a clip you can have a locking quicklink, for one of their "fullproof" leads. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-10-01T12:10:45.000Z oooh i might get "katie's lead" from Ella's.. walking three dogs on three leads can be quite cumbersome sometimes! Holy braid effect. ## _dlroberts · 2008-10-01T12:26:45.000Z Waist leashes are totally the way to go with more than two dogs. Right now I'm walking three dogs too. Two are on waist leashes and one I hold. I've toyed with the idea of a coupler, but I think it would just create snarkies. ## lindsayt · 2008-10-01T13:07:01.000Z Yeah, I was wondering about couplers, but they probably aren't good for dogs that have issues with personal space anyways. ## _dlroberts · 2008-10-01T13:19:21.000Z Precisely. I get enough snarkies when their leashes get tangled as it is. If they are stuck together I'm sure it would be far worse. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-10-01T13:19:54.000Z Well since Tsuki and Hachi are the two I walk on one hand anyway, they are really good with walking in close proximity, but this one gives a bit more room I think than a coupler -- > http://ellaslead.com/inc/sdetail/817 At least its more room than the coupler we own and used all of twice. What waist leashes do you use, Dave? ## _dlroberts · 2008-10-01T13:26:08.000Z I use the Flat Out leash from Ruffwear: http://www.ruffwear.com/Flat-Out-Leash_2. I like it because the waist part can be adjusted to a fixed length so when they are walking on a loose leash it doesn't loosen up around my waist. The waist part of most waist leashes is essentially a choke collar that goes around your waist. I haven't tried them yet, but I'd be nervous they would loosen and slide down around my ankles. If I have to babysit the leash and keep tension on it so it doesn't slide down then it doesn't do me much good. Mine walk fine in close proximity to each other too. Its when one see's a squirrel or whatever and tries to climb over the other to get to it that I have problems. It isn't a problem if the leashes are loose enough that the one getting climbed over can get out of the way. If they are near the end of the leash and can't, then I get snarkies. That's why I don't think a coupler would work for us. ## tsukitsune (moderator) · 2008-10-01T13:29:45.000Z ah, i've been looking into a leash like that for a while. We have one from Genuine Dog Gear that has snaps at each end and its not so secure, but we use it for hiking when I need to have at least one free hand but I've been looking to upgrade! Thanks for the mini-review! ## StaticNfuzz · 2008-10-07T17:17:09.000Z I am glad you foiled any mishap with Akira! The silverfoot leash is the type of clip I like for trickster dogs who are able to spring the tabs on the regular ones. The only problem I have had is the weight of the clip bothers some smaller dogs like the Shibas. With all the tags etc sometimes the weight is too much if you are working them. I really like the french martingale one, I would use that for working for sure.....it is a bit pricy though. Probably worth it in the end since it should last a lifetime. Thanks everyone for all the good info! Snf ## TeamLaika · 2008-10-12T14:19:58.000Z I'm a bit late on this, but a clip that has a locking mechanism might do the trick. See this Italian bronze "alligator" snap. http://ldsleather.com/snapstyles.html#lockjaw If you are concerned about the weight of the clip, and do not want an integrated leash and collar, I would advise using half of a set of horse reins (both halves if you want a long leash). They have hook & stud ends or buckle ends and are lightweight/low profile. You can get plain leather, laced leather, canvas web reins or even rubbery reins for excellent grip. Some are spendy but a quality leather will last a lifetime. ## StaticNfuzz · 2008-10-12T17:00:43.000Z Thanks....I will look into the tack. Great idea! Never thought about it since I don't have any horses any longer. Snf ## Harlow · 2008-10-13T20:25:09.000Z We always use bridle reins for our dog leashes. You can get really quality leather and put on the clip of your choice. We have a shoe repair place sew the handle. ## AkiraleShiba · 2008-10-14T14:40:43.000Z I've bought something like the Square Eye Trigger Snap from the website of TeamLaika. It's kinda of heavy but I have a big shiba :) I bought it at an horse store and the guy was pretty nice and riveted me a nylon leash. I love the Italian Alligator hook, I think I will get to make my next leather leash thanks, and I'll try to find a store where they sell bridle reins here! --- **Navigate:** [Forum home](https://nihonken.org/community/?format=md) · [Sitemap](https://nihonken.org/community/sitemap.xml)