A restraint system for an animal, comprising a stake member, a link member, and a restraint member. A first end of the restraint member is operatively connected to the link member. A second end of the restraint member is configured to be operatively connected to the animal. The stake member is arranged such that a neck portion is within the link passageway, a base portion is on a first side of the link member, and a grip portion is on a second side of the link member. The restraint system is used in a leash mode by gripping the grip portion of the stake member with the second end of the restraint member connected to the animal and in a tether mode with the base portion in secured relative to an object and the second end of the restraint member connected to the animal.

A jacket that is worn by a person walking a dog includes a main torso covering portion which can be closed to protect and provide warmth to the wearer's torso. A leash that can be utilized as a belt can be used to snuggly fit the jacket around the user's waist. The jacket also includes an exterior pocket that includes a roll of waste bags, typically in a roll. The exterior pocket includes an opening on the front surface of the pocket where a grommet is typically attached around the perimeter of the opening. The bag is pulled through the opening in the grommet to gain access to the bag. The lead bag is removed from the roll along the perforation separating the bags such that the walker can manually remove a bag from the pocket and tear the first bag away from the following bag while leaving the following bag in a position that is easily gripped for the next required cleaning.

A reconfigurable leash is provided. The reconfigurable leash allows a user to configure the leash in multiple configurations, including hand-free, single animal, double animal, and tether configurations. The leash includes a body having two ends and couplings located at each end. The leash also includes three rings located at three different positions along the length of the body. The leash also includes a moveable pad that wraps around a portion of the body of the leash.

A dog harness is provided with a leash-holding element with controlled displacement for search dogs performing special work, comprising a back strap, a belly strap with a quick release buckle, and a chest strap running between the chest bone and the throat area. The leash-holding element with controlled displacement has an elastic design, stretching along the axis line, in line with the spine of the dog to a given extent, reducing the load on the dog when led on a leash, primarily during special mantrailingsearch work, when the dog is sniffing the ground with an outstretched neck. The leash-holding element with controlled displacement moves on the axis line as a function of the forces acting on the leash-holding end element. The leash-holding element follows the mechanism of movement characteristic of search work, and allows smooth working for the search dog led on a leash.

In some embodiments, a reduced-pull leash device includes a first extendible leash section and a second leash section. The second leash section is longer than the unextended first leash section. The first leash section's first end is configured to couple to or near the second leash section's first end. The first leash section's second end is configured to couple to a harness at a location on top of a dog. The second leash section's second end is configured to couple to a harness at a front location of the dog. The lengths of the first and second leash sections are configured so the first leash section extends when a dog pulls on the leash until the second leash section becomes taut. Once the second leash section becomes taut, a lateral force is generated on the dog to pull the dog laterally. Numerous other embodiments are provided.

Systems and methods are provided for integrated article dispensers for leashes which provide greater handling and responsiveness. One embodiment is an apparatus is in the form of an article dispenser that includes a first end for coupling with a first tensile member, a second end for coupling with the second tensile member, and a rigid housing between the first end and the second end. The rigid housing defines an internal volume for storing articles, and that further defines an opening. In response to the article dispenser bearing a threshold amount of tension, a centroid of the article dispenser aligns within a threshold distance of being collinear with a force that generates the tension. While the centroid of the article dispenser is within the threshold distance of being collinear, rotation of the system about an axis of the forcer applies less than a threshold torque to the tensile members.

A handle assembly for a leash system includes an outer housing that defines a handle interior and an inner housing that is positioned within the handle interior. The leash system includes a tether. The outer housing can be substantially spherical. The inner housing selectively moves between unlocked and locked positions. When in the locked position, the inner housing inhibits movement of the tether relative to the handle assembly in a first direction but not in a second direction that is substantially opposite the first direction. The inner housing can be biased towards one of the unlocked and the locked position. The inner housing includes a tether engager that selectively engages the tether. The handle assembly includes an inner housing mover that is connected to the inner housing so that the inner housing mover moves the inner housing between the unlocked and the locked position.

A system and method for providing hands-free animal walking. The system generally comprises a human support device and an animal leash system. The human support device further includes a back center strap, at least one shoulder strap, and an adjustable body strap, to provide ergonomic support and even distribution of force to the user. The animal leash system further includes an elastic leash system to connect the human support device to an animal. When combined, the animal harness and leash system provides an improved, ergonomically sound hands-free animal walking system. The system is particularly adapted for hand-held health sensors, to track health information of the user.

A multi-grip handle apparatus for an animal leash or harness includes a tubular handle body having a first end with a first opening and a second end with a second opening. An annular handle body surface extends between the first end and second end and a central bore extends between the first and second openings. A first cord extends from the first opening, and a second cord extends from the second opening. The first and second cord are secured by a clasp which secures a third cord. The third cord is configured to connect to at least one animal leash, animal collar or animal harness. The handle body surface includes a first grip section laterally adjacent and spaced apart from a second grip section. The central bore contains a filler that prevents the first and second cords from contacting the first and second openings, respectively.

A number of mechanisms are provided for aiding in animal handling through various security screening processes. An animal control implement makes it possible to undergo security screening while maintaining control of the animal while also not generating any security related false rejects.