Exploring the Importance of Secure Leash Attachments
Have you ever had your leash come unclipped? or have the clip break?
This panic-inducing situation has happened to me a handful of times, so I’m probably over-cautious now about checking my hardware for wear & tear, as well as switching out some of my own leashes to hardware that can’t accidentally come unclipped.
Most basic leashes are going to have a swivel snap bolt. These are a great option for being easy to clip and unclip. Please be aware that these do have a small compression coil spring that can wear over time. The bolt that fits into the cylinder can also become loose and allow the bolt to “catch” on things and be pressed open - which is what happened to me a couple of times with dogs rolling in the grass. I still frequently use them on my leases, but do check them regularly for wear and replace as needed.
A Gooseneck clip is a different type of design that I really like! It’s easy to clip on but a bit trickier to remove - but the unique design means that there’s virtually no way that the clip can fail as long as it is sized for the dogs weight properly - and these are rated heavier than a similar size snap bolt too! A spring gate ensures that the clip doesn’t accidentally slip off. Unlike the snap bolt, a gooseneck clip can withstand dynamic stresses put on the clip by an active dog.
And the final option for the leashes that I make is an auto-locking carabiner. These are rated even stronger than the other clips that I keep in stock, made out of a light weight aluminum with a weight rating of 290lbs. I’ve tested these on my own 85lb critter chaser and have been very happy with them.
Do you have any other clip styles that you like? Let me know in the comments!