Lightweight chew proof leash for waiting outside of a store?

[T. Byrne]

First, a preface: I only leave my dogs in the shade, for a couple minutes at a time. I usually leave them with a bowl of water, as well. This is not about me wanting to eat a full meal away from my dog while she's baking in the sun. :) 

Brandy and Ruezy often go for walks in town and there are lots of great little businesses that provide a doggie bowl and shade and even a spot to tether your dog as you go in and make your order for, say ice cream. Ruezy is still working on the separation anxiety (i.e., you would think I was murdering her from the way she sounds if I walk away from her), but Brandy is very good at laying down and "wait for me". I think she and I might be able to take some walks into town without having to have my boyfriend with us, but there is one problem: if I needed/wanted to go into a store for a moment, Brandy has been known to try and chew through a leash (when she was little, but I'm not taking any chances with cars near by).

 

I know there are chew proof outdoor ties, and I know I could get a chain link leash, but they are so heavy. Does anyone know about a leash that would be more like the outdoor ties, but as short as a regular leash? I want her to be able to lay down and stand up, but not get into other peoples business. 

Thanks so much!!! 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I know there are the light weight chain link leashes for smaller dogs that don't weigh that much.  I would shop your local pet shops, I am sure you will be able to find the perfect leash.   My only concern with leaving my doodle even for a few seconds outside is that I would be worried that someone would steal them !!!  At least in my area it is very possible.

[T. Byrne]

I am kinda worried about that too, but there are some specific stores that have clear visibility and I feel like it would be okay since I would see her. Also, a bunch of these stores know Brandy really well (Ruezy prefers a hike rather then a stroll down main street). I was trying to think if I got a long enough metal leash I would be able to wrap it like a collar, put a lock on it, and then padlock it to the dog tie too. LOL 

[Kaytlin and Cooper]

I too would be worried someone would steal my dog. people steal dogs all the time, for various reasons. Doodles are very popular and cost a fair amount of money - people could see it as an easy steal/sell (especially a puppy)

When i had a yard i would never leave Cooper outside alone for fear someone would steal her

[T. Byrne]

Eeep, now you guys are making me second guess this! I'm thinking about that locking system again!

Hmm, maybe I should invent a locking/alarm collar for pretty dogs so they can't be stolen. ;) You know, that would sound an alarm if it were tampered with. lol

[Stephanie]

I think it depends on the situation.  I would only leave my dog tethered if I could see her, or if I know the area and feel comfortable leaving my pet.  

As far as a chew-proof leash they do make light weight chain leashes, the lupine leads are pretty durable although I hate the texture of them.  I would only use a lupine leash on a dog that doesn't pull.  A friend of mine was walking her boxer and the dog lunged suddenly..the leash sliced her hand open bad enough to require a few stitches!  Since I heard that I only use leather.

http://www.muttgear.net/ I came across that while looking up chew proof leashes.  You could even make your own at a hardware store using cable and perhaps fasten a way to lock it as well.

[Camilla and Darwin]

I wouldn't leave Darwin for the same reason. Doodles are popular, and even if someone had no idea who they were I think they tend to have an "expensive dog" look to them. I would be SO stressed that someone would take him.

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

If you're only leaving her for a minute or two and she is visible to you the whole time then I would think there shouldn't be enough time for her to chew through her leash. Just make sure it's very thick and durable. That being said, I would focus your efforts on working with her separation anxiety. A chew-proof leash isn't going to correct the root of the problem. You want your dog to be anxiety-free, for her own well being. I'm sure you can get some good tips for this in the training group.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I have a leash chewer as well, but for different reasons. Monty gets bored if we are on a walk and we meet somebody we know and I chat with the people way too long. Within 10 minutes Monty can chew through a regular leash with no problems. I'm of course working on improving his patience. :-) In the meantime, I tried the chain link leash, but did not like it since it was heavy and did not seem very safe (for me).  Then I came across a $7 leash at Walmart and that's the one we use all the time now. He does not chew it. He might grab it in his mouth and pull, but he does not chew through it. I got him a matching leash and a collar just few weeks back naively thinking he is over the leash chewing. You can see the results on the picture. So back to the blue/black Walmart leash we are. Just like others have mentioned, definitely work on the cause of the behavior as well. Changing leashes won't help in the long term.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My suggestion is to use whatever leash you want for the walk and just carry a lightweight chain leash for the 'lock up' or how about a bike lock cable?  They are not that heavy and are sturdy?

[T. Byrne]

Thanks for all of the suggestions and comments! I don't think this is really an anxiety thing. Brandy is quite calm the whole time she is "waiting" for me. I think, like Monty, Brandy gets bored. I would leave her with a  chew, but she has a tendency to play with chews and throw them into the air, and besides, I don't want someone to come along and trip on one of her bones. I'm not even sure she'd do it anymore. She certainly doesn't do it when I leave her but someone else is there. She definitely stays when I tell her 'stay there' and simply curls up and waits, but again, I'm not taking any chances around cars and such.