Sociologists report that dogs are kept by 41% of Russian residents. Among other pets, only cats are ahead of the "best friends of man." This is not surprising, after all, a dog is an animal that requires a lot more time and money from a person than other representatives of the caudate. The average Bobik, who lives in a city apartment, needs at least one set of collar and leash. Unfortunately, the price of ammunition is growing every year. But experienced dog lovers know very well how to save money and provide their pet with a set of accessories for any occasion. This article reveals their secrets on how to make a leash with your own hands from available materials.
Bit of theory
A leash is a thing, by law, necessary for every dog, regardless of its breed, size and place of residence. Originating from a tethered chain, this tool has become not only a restraining device for walking, but also a method of controlling the animal during training. Before you start talking about how to make a leash for a dog, it's worth a little talk about its types.
Daily leash
Model for walking animals. It can be from 1.5 to 3 meters long. Most often, such a leash is leather, nylon or tarpaulin, with one carabiner and handle. Reliable option, the easiest to manufacture. It can be supplemented with a soft pen, reflective tape or cushioning rubber. The training option is a leash of the same design, but 10 meters long.
Riding Leash
Allows you to change the length of one and a half to two times. Convenient for quick resizing of the leash, as well as for harnessing the dog. The manufacture uses metal half rings sewn along the length of the leash, as well as one or two carbines.
Roulette Leash
Thanks to the internal mechanism, it is twisted and untwisted without sagging or dragging along the ground. A dog leash roulette can be convenient as a walking option for owners of small and medium breeds. Not recommended for strong animals, as the roulette mechanism is not able to withstand sharp jerks. Such a leash can be tape or cable, but it is worth remembering that any dog-roulette leash teaches an animal to pull. Unfortunately, this is the only model whose manufacture at home is almost impossible without specialized materials.
Water Lead
Short, usually about 50 centimeters long, model. Designed for increased control of strong and tall dogs in the city. It is a long loop with a carbine, worn on the arm. The design does not allow the animal to move away from the owner’s foot. This option is distinguished by the presence of a reinforced carbine, and often a shock absorber.
Exhibition leash
Otherwise called "ringovka." The model, as a rule, without a carbine, with a noose collar. Thin and light, the ring is not chosen for walking with dogs, but for showing them at the exhibition ring.
How to make a leash: step one. Hardware selection
The main thing that factory models can boast of, especially if they are released under the label of eminent companies, is the presence of high-quality metal fittings. Holding rings, half rings and snap hooks are the most important part of a leash. At times, the life of the dog itself and the well-being of those around it depend on their strength.
- Carbine. Must match the breed and size of the animal. You should not use purses or haberdashery carabiners, which can often be found in sewing stores, for sewing leashes. This option can only be suitable for dwarf and decorative dog breeds. The jerk of a medium or large animal is several hundred kilograms. So you should choose a carabiner in pet stores or points selling goods for hunting and fishing.
- Metal half rings. Accessories used in rebounding leads and in the manufacture of collars. The main rule - the rings should be made of an all-metal alloy, as well as necessarily welded. Unfortunately, it is very difficult to find high-quality accessories for leashes. Suitable models can be found in hardware workshops, professional needlework stores, or ordered online.
- Rivets. As a rule, a firmware with strong threads is enough for a leash. But for greater strength, rivets can also be put on the product. Such a service is carried out in hardware workshops.
Material selection
Since you need to make a leash strong and reliable, you need to take care of the right choice of materials. Many modern models are made of nylon slings. This is not the best choice, since such material is often excessively slippery and tough, and its edges are sharp. When jerking, a nylon leash will surely burn your hand.
Tarpaulin differs in naturalness and the increased durability. A sufficiently heavy carbine can be sewn onto it, and the dense fabric material will not sag under its weight. There are two drawbacks to the tarpaulin - it, like nylon, slides and burns hands, sometimes up to blood, and besides, its appearance is far from beauty and grace.
Soft skin, especially calf skin, the so-called "oily" - an excellent material for leashes. The most expensive and comfortable models are made from it. The skin does not slip and does not cut hands if it is soft. Such material is beautiful, light and comfortable. The only negative can be called its ability to double after interacting with water. But this can also be avoided by acquiring soft, expensive skin. Unfortunately, these tips are of little use for self-manufacture, since making a leash from leather materials at home is quite problematic.
The correct option for sewing with your own hands would be a synthetic sling without a hard edge, sheathed with softer, possibly colored or reflective cotton braid.
Sew a classic leash
For a 1.5-meter model you will need:
- a tape from a sling, tarpaulin or nylon with a width of 2-2.5 cm - 1.8 m;
- durable snap hook - 1 pc.;
- jacquard braid for decoration - 3 m;
- sewing machine, thread and scissors.
How to make a leash, step by step description:
- We insert one end of the tape into the eye of the carabiner, bend 3 cm and wrap it inward.
- The resulting three-layer hem is stitched on a sewing machine around the entire perimeter and crosswise. Be sure to make reinforcing seams.
- At the other end of the tape we sew a pen. To do this, wrap the ribbon around the hand and add 3-4 cm for convenience.
- Sew a hem with a hem, forming a loop-handle.
- We fold the jacquard braid in half and cut it.
- We attach both parts of the braid to the future leash on both sides, closing the seam near the carabiner and handle. We notice the tape or fasten with pins in the desired position.
- Sew the tape to the leash tape.
The leash is ready!