Are hands-free leashes good for running with dogs?

Hands-free leashes are excellent for running with dogs, provided both the runner and the dog have reached a certain level of training.

Hands-free leashes preserve your natural running form and prevent you from being thrown off balance by your dog’s movements. Anchoring your dog to your core makes it easier to manage sudden tugs or distractions.

Hands-free leashes are not suitable for every situation:

• Your dog should master loose-leash walking before being attached around your waist
• Some runners find bungee leashes reduce control and make it harder to give subtle leash corrections
• On technical terrain, some runners prefer to hold the leash in their hand for immediate release if they fall

We recommend positioning the leash lower on the hips to reduce the risk of back pain.

Shop Hands-Free Dog Leashes at Coda.

For more expert tips and answers, visit our complete Dog Leash FAQs.

Once you've mastered the walk, find out exactly how old your dog is in human years using our Dog Age Calculator.