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.

A clasp is provided having a body defining at least one passageway extending at least partially therethrough, at least one pair of engagement portions pivotally mounted across the body and configured to engage an object located in the at least one passageway, and an actuation portion in communication with the at least one pair of engagement portions and biased in the engaged condition. Actuation of the actuation portion causes the at least one pair of engagement portions to disengage from the object against the biasing force.

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 pet grooming station includes an electrically actuated separable coupler mechanically coupled between a tether point and a lead to a collar or a noose. At least one wired or wirelessly coupled pressure sensitive mat is adapted to sense a presence of a person or an animal on the at least one pressure sensitive mat. The electrically actuated separable coupler is in a coupled state when the pressure sensitive mat senses the presence of the person standing on the mat. Or, when the person is no longer standing on the mat, the electrically actuated separable coupler separates. The electronic controls of the station can be programmed to provide a predetermined or selectable time delay in a range of about 0 to 2 seconds before causing the electrically actuate separable coupler to separate. An upgrade kit or modification kit for existing pet grooming stations is also described.

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 quick release device that includes a base member and an arm hingedly attached to the base member. In application, an opposite end of the tether can be tied to an anchor disposed on a lower portion of the base member and a first end of the tether is passed through the hunting dog's collar between the dog's neck area and collar, and then passed between the base member and arm while in the open, unlocked position. Urging the arm to the locked position catches and secures the first end of the tether so that the hunting dog is releasably secured. Transmitting a radio signal from the remotely located radio transmitter to the radio receiver, will cause the solenoid to disengage the coupling mechanism causing a propulsion member to apply a separating force to an extension disposed on the arm. The exerted separating force of propulsion member contacting the extension causes the arm to release the base member into the open or unlocked position. The device includes a holding interface defined by an abutment portion of the arm and an elongated aperture disposed in the base member for receipt of the abutment portion when the device is in the locked or closed position. When the hunting dog places a puffing pressure on the tether, the first end positions and catches between the abutment portion and elongated aperture. The tether will then remain secured as described until the hunter elects to remotely release the arm and allow the animal to run free.

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.

A pet monitoring device (101) for monitoring a sub-dermal RFID microchip (103), the pet monitoring device comprising: a wearable item (1) bearing 1 to 5 turns of electrical conductor (7) wound circumferentially to form a wearable item resonator; and an RFID reader (9) attachable and detachable to said wearable item, wherein said RFID reader comprises: a driving circuit (1100) comprising a primary inductance (Lp) inductively coupled to said wearable item when said RFID reader is attached to said wearable item; a secondary inductance (Ls) and resonance capacitor (Cs) conductively coupled to said wearable item when said RFID reader is attached to said wearable item, wherein the secondary inductance and resonance capacitor form the wearable item resonator with said electrical conductor, wherein the wearable item resonator comprises a circuit (1004) to automatically adjust said resonance capacitor to compensate for a size of said wearable item when fitted to said pet; wherein the driving circuit is operable to drive the wearable

An animal harness is flexible and includes a dorsal portion and a ventral portion removably coupled together. A front and rear sections of the harness include engagement members coupling the dorsal and ventral portions thereby providing a front opening, leg openings and a rear opening. The harness includes a plurality of attachment members. The modular design of the animal harness allows accessories to be securely attached or removed to and from the attachment members, which reduces manufacturing costs, as each accessory does not require its own method of securely attaching to the animal. The animal harness also allows modules to be added or replaced individually, reducing the cost of ownership, and also allows future accessories to integrate into the existing harness without having to replace the entire harness.

A connector assembly for a leash system including a connector and a connector receiver. The connector includes a first connector end that has a connector end center. The connector receiver includes a first gate that moves between a locked and an unlocked position. The first gate defines at least a portion of a connector cavity, with the connector cavity selectively receiving the first connector end when the first gate is in the unlocked position. The connector cavity also has a cavity center, with the cavity center and the connector end center being substantially identical when the first connector end is received by the connector cavity. The connector receiver further includes a receiver actuator that is coupled to the first gate. The receiver actuator can move in a first direction and a second direction, wherein moving the receiver actuator in the second direction moves the first gate to the unlocked position.