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In a multi-dog household, walks can get tricky, especially if the humans are outnumbered. How do you walk two (or more) dogs at once? Sure, you can wrangle two leashes. But if your dogs are anything like mine, that can lead to some serious tangles. One simple solution: get yourself a double-dog leash.
Leashes for two dogs, sometimes called “double leashes” or “leash couplers,” are a tool that lets you control two dogs with one leash. They can prevent tangles and even help improve leash manners for some dogs. But not all double leashes are created equal. That’s why we’ve rounded up and tested some of the best-rated, buyer-approved leashes for two dogs available online.
Read on for our picks for the six best leashes for two dogs.
How Does A Two-Dog Leash Work?
Double dog leashes can make walking your canine duo a painless experience. But how do they work? If you already have a favorite leash, you can make it perform double-duty with something called a “coupler.” Leash couplers are composed of two short leads that attach to each of your dogs, with a ring in the middle that connects to your own leash.
How does a two-dog leash keep pets from becoming tangled or tripping you in the process? Many couplers will have a swivel mechanism that spins as your dogs exchange places—so no one gets twisted up during your trek.
If you have multiple dogs of dramatically different sizes, you can find adjustable double leashes that make it easier to walk them in tandem.
How to Pick the Best Two-Dog Leash
The dual leash that’s best for you will depend on your dogs’ sizes, pulling habits, and your own preferences. Here are some things to look for.
Proper Length: Some double leashes are adjustable, which is ideal if you have two dogs of extremely different sizes. Look at the width of the strap, too: thicker straps are better suited for stronger large dogs, while more narrow straps can be used on smaller pups.
Comfortable to Hold: A soft, padded handle makes for a much more comfortable walk for you. Some double dog leashes will also feature bungees to absorb shock and reduce the effects of pulling.
Durability: if you have a larger or stronger dog, you definitely want a dual-leash with sturdy construction and strong hardware. We’ve chosen some leashes that should hold up to even the most relentless pullers.
Safety Features: Stay safe out there with features like reflective accents, a tangle-resistant design, and shock-absorbing bungees.
Best All-Purpose Double-Dog Leash: SparklyPets
Remy and Lucy model the SparklyPets double dog leash.
This dual-dog leash from SparklyPets is a winner. Tester Kelsey found the material sturdy and was confident it would hold up against her dogs’ tendency to pull on walks—which it did with flying colors. Both leash extensions have a handle on them, so if one dog gets distracted smelling something or barking at a squirrel, it’s easy to get them back on track using the handle.
The cushioned loop handle at the top of the leash is comfortable and convenient, especially for multi-tasking on walks, and it can slide down your wrist for safekeeping. The leash also features a bungee design on both extensions to help absorb the shock of pulling. Compared to the other double leashes we tested, this one required the least effort to reorient wayward pups.
What we like:
- Bungee design means less effort is required to redirect one or both dogs
- Handles on both leash extensions are excellent for control
- Comes with both leash and extension
- Adjustments available on both leash extensions
- No tangle swivel works well to prevent constant stops and snarls
What to watch:
- We think SparklyPets should have a sparkly leash option—but that’s really all we found to complain about!
Best Leash Extension: RUFFWEAR Double Track Coupler Leash Extension
Treats, please, for the Ruffwear leash models?
Ruffwear makes strong and reliable products, so we had high expectations for their double-dog leash extension—and it didn’t disappoint. We found it strong and flexible, with a bungee design that lets dogs explore without offering too much freedom. It’s our top pick for a standalone leash extension and a good choice if you want just the attachment, not a whole new leash.
That said, it doesn’t come with some of the nice features full double-dog leashes have, like handles and adjustable straps that let you alter the size of each extension. Without those components, pet parents who need maximum control or are looking to walk pups of dramatically different sizes may have better luck elsewhere.
What we like:
- Bungee design helps with pulling
- Well-made; durable and strong material
- Lock on the clasps for extra safety
- Stretchy and shock-absorbing
- Clips on leash extension swivel for mobility and to help prevent tangling
What to watch:
- Pricey, given that it doesn’t come with a leash
- No adjustments to change extension lengths
- No handles on extensions to grab for control
Best for Comfort: YOUTHINK Double Dog Leash
The major advantage of the YOUTHINK double-dog leash is its sliding length adjustors that let you walk two differently-sized dogs easily. Padded leash extensions offer pups extra comfort, and an additional handle at the base of the leash gives the walker additional control. It also comes with a handy poop bag holder you can clip onto the leash for convenience.
That said, the material isn’t as sturdy as other double-dog leashes, and it doesn’t have any bungee component, which meant it took our tester a little more effort to redirect a pup intent on sniffing.
What we like:
- Adjustments on both extensions
- Additional handle on the lower portion of leash for control when needed
- Comfortable loop handle for humans
- Leash extensions are padded for extra comfort for dogs
What to watch:
- No bungee design to help with pulling
- Leash is fairly long, and there’s no way to adjust it; you have to wrap it around your hand or wrist to make shorter
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Best Budget Pick: Caldwell’s Pet Supply Co. No Tangle Dog Leash Coupler
Remy and Lucy model the Caldwell leash extension.
Like the Ruffwear extension, this handy coupler clips to the end of your regular leash. It’s a quick, affordable way to turn any leash into a leash for two dogs. While it doesn’t include any additional snazzy features like bungees or handles, it has a swivel top to prevent tangles and adjustment options on both extensions.
Our tester appreciated the slim design and the nice amount of space it provided for each pup to explore a bit independently. She voted it a solid pick for the car or travel—something to keep on hand so you have the option of walking two dogs at once, without the commitment of a traditional double-dog leash (or the price).
What we like:
- Simple but durable option
- Adjustments on both extensions
- Swivel connector on top that helps avoid tangles
What to watch:
- No handles for additional control
Best for Small Dogs: 60° Swivel No-Tangle Double Dog Leash
This double-dog leash is an affordable pick for a full leash-and-extension combo. Its main draw is the bungee extensions, which help absorb the force of a pup who likes to pull. A puller may have less impact on a non-puller, and it nicely accommodates dogs with different walking styles.
The material, though, isn’t as sturdy as some of the other leash and extension combos—notably the SparklyPets leash, which also features bungee extensions. We think this is a nice pick for small dogs or those who want to test the waters with a double-dog leash before committing to something more expensive.
What we like:
- Better for smaller dogs
- Fairly inexpensive
- Tangle-free swivel
- Loop handle
What to watch:
- Material and clasps aren’t suitable for especially large dogs or heavy pullers
- No adjustments on leash or extension
- No additional handles on lower leash or extensions for extra control
Best for Extra Space: Wigzi Dual Dog Gel Handle Leash
The Wigzi double-dog leash is something different: it splits your dogs’ tethers up right below your own handle instead of at the end of a longer leash. As a result, the two pups on leash are able to move much more independently and stray farther from each other—which can be either a blessing or a curse depending on your walking style. The built-in coupler spins for easy detangling, and the ropes are reflective for visibility. For the human, there’s a comfy gel handle.
What we like:
- A fresh style for dogs who benefit from freedom to roam
- Comfortable handle
- Reflective striping on each leash
What to watch:
- Leash attachments don’t fit harnesses with double D-rings
- Not a good choice for pullers and wanderers; leash offers minimal control
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