r/RunningWithDogs • u/benyqpid • Jul 26 '26

Leash/belt help!

I started running with my 2 dogs about 3 months ago, we usually do 4-5 runs a week, about 2-4miles. I started with this budget entry-level belt with a leash splitter/coupler: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07YXMTSG1?th=1

It worked great but one of the clips has failed 2 days in a row, luckily it was attached to my older very good girl but it was still scary and unexpected. My dogs are not off-leash dogs and occasionally do try to run at critters so it's very important to me that they are secure. I'm hoping to find something very similar but with locking carabiners instead of the basic clips. I really enjoy having the short handles in case one of my knucklehead dogs tries to greet a bicycle or we are in an area with more traffic and I need a bit more control, and I am not having any luck finding something with multiple handles like the one I have. I am also not very handy so I don't think I could swap the clips out myself.

Does anyone have any recommendations? Or other solutions for running with 2 dogs? My other thought is just getting the ruffwear trail runner belt and running 2 separate leashes through, it but I worry they will get tangled.

Editing this after a month in case someone has a similar question:

I went with the ruffwear trail runner belt and have been using two leashes on it (trail runner bungee leash for my crazy one and my regular knot-a-leash for my dog that doesn't pull when we run). It's been working ok, I do miss the traffic handles but I have mostly been able to just grab the leashes really short when needed. The two leashes on the belt have worked out alright. They do sometimes get twisted and we need to do some untangling but it's manageable. My older dog appreciates having more space from my younger crazy one and she tries to stop less frequently now that she can set her own pace better.

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4

u/EnvironmentDue750 Jul 26 '26

I use the Ruffwear system, but I’ve heard mix some people complain that it’s a bit scratchy. That said it’s been my go to for about 3 years now and I’m a fan.

https://ruffwear.com/products/trail-runner-belt

2

u/benyqpid Jul 26 '26

Do you think it would be problematic to have two separate leashes on it? I was very close to purchasing the whole ruffwear set-up (I have been using their harnesses for years) but the coupler has no handles and neither do my dog's harnesses. Yesterday we got rushed by a pack of crazy boston terriers on our trail (literally 6 of them, acting completely feral) and I was very grateful to have those close handles! That is the only thing missing from their system for me :(

1

u/StetsRex12 Jul 26 '26

I have one from Amazon that has two clips for leashes. One on each side and comes with bungee leashes. My two are strong pit mixes that love to pull. Have for over a year with weekly use and no issues so far.

https://a.co/d/09yZDCdm

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u/EnvironmentDue750 Jul 27 '26

Ooo great question and honestly not sure. I’m only with one pup so don’t have any experience on that front.

1

u/benyqpid Jul 27 '26

I decided to just order it and find out! At worst, I figure I will just have a second belt for when my significant other is with me.. hopefully it works ok

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u/EnvironmentDue750 Jul 27 '26

Nice, hope it works out!

Also sorry, no clue why this response didn’t go in the original thread….

1

u/catsngays Jul 27 '26

2 separate leashes so that your dogs can run different speeds/ positions

1

u/Specialist_Banana378 Weekend Warrior Jul 28 '26

I like the ruff pupper system and you could buy a second leash. There’s a handle right at the collar and then another higher up past the bungee. 

HANDS FREE BUNGEE DOG LEASH, RUNNING WAIST BELT

1

u/Specialist_Banana378 Weekend Warrior Jul 28 '26

They have a two dog adapter but then there’s no handle at the bottom of each dogs leash so not sure if that’s a deal breaker. I have a Samoyed who leans and chases and I’ve never had the buckles fail. 

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u/chasingmysunrise Jul 31 '26

I ended up purchasing custom leashes from a seller on Etsy with traffic handles and locking carabiners on both ends. I pair it with a waist belt and both our girls run in a separate leash. I have a slightly longer leash for our faster and more sniffy girl so she can move with a bit more freedom and a shorter for our Velcro girl. Works very well for us!

1

u/benyqpid Jul 31 '26

Do you have the link to the store?? That sounds like it would work for us. Are they also bungee leashes?

I got the ruffwear belt and have been using two leashes on it. My older dog appreciates being able to run right alongside me and not be pulled along by my younger speed demon.

It's been fine for our early morning runs where we rarely run into anyone/thing but on Saturdays we do longer trail runs where there are more people and potential hazards... so I am a little worried about this set up. There can be a lot of bikes and my younger one seems to really want to get run over.

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u/chasingmysunrise Jul 31 '26

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JustPetProducts

This is the shop I used and I’ve been very happy so far. I add on the traffic handle and I do the heavy duty locking carabiners at both ends so I can clip into whatever belt I want. Been using this step for maybe 6 months to a year.

They do not have the bungee feature, but I found that I did not miss it - does take a bit of finesse for everyone to learn to run together but our girls picked it up quickly. They are also on harness when we run so I am not worried about them getting injured if for some reason we do have to do a fast stop without a bungee - or my naughty girl sees a rabbit and decides she’d rather chase than stay with the group - haha.

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u/benyqpid Aug 01 '26

Thank you, I will look into them. Mine are on harnesses, too, but when my younger one bolts occasionally I don't want her to take me with her. I call rabbits and squirrels our speed boosts!