Braided Dog Leash Instructions

It’s a cinch to follow our braided dog leash instructions!

If not, go to the KIDS STUFF section of the August 2008 issue of The Doggazine (due out August 1) and learn how. (The Doggazine is our free, monthly e-zine. Click here to subscribe)


MATERIALS & TOOLS TO MAKE A 6-FOOT LEASH

• For dogs over 30 lbs: 9 yards of cord, 3/16 inch in diameter
  [Metric: 8.3 m, 5 mm in diameter]
• For dogs under 30 lbs: 9 yards of cord, 1/8 inch in diameter
  [Metric: 8.3 m, 3 mm in diameter]
• Twine or string
• Scissors
• Colored plastic or duct tape
• A metal snap, strong enough for your size dog
• Glue such as Super Glue or Goop

1. Cut three lengths of cord, 108 inches [2745 mm] each
2. Tie the cords (strands) together in a knot about 4 inches [100 mm] from one end
3. Start braiding or plaiting, trying to keep an even tension

HOW TO KEEP THE TENSION EVEN

There are several ways you can do this. You want to be able to pull on the strands as you are braiding:

• To begin with, tape the loose strands above your knot to a flat work surface such as a table, workbench, kitchen counter, bookcase, etc. Use duct tape or some other strong tape. Make sure the tape will not mess up the surface – be especially careful with wood veneers!
• After you have plaited about a foot or so, you can tie the completed part around a door knob, chair back, table leg, etc.
• You can also sit in a chair and hold down the part already braided with your foot

1. Keep plaiting until you get to the end of the shortest strand
   Note that even if you started out with strands the same length, you will most likely end up with slightly different lengths at the end. This is normal.
2. Loop the last part of your braid back over itself to form a loop
3. You need about 2 inches of the loose end to lie next to the rest of the rope and a loop that is big enough for the dog walker’s hand

1. Cut about 36 inches [915 mm] of string or twine
   We are using yarn in the photos for you to see how to do it more clearly but it’s better to use something stronger

2. Make about a 2 inch [50 mm] loop with the string
3. Put the closed end of the loop at the bottom of the handle as shown
4. Pinch everything together with your left hand


5. Start wrapping the twine tightly around itself at the place you want to start
Make sure to leave enough room for a hand!
6. Leave a small piece of end sticking out



7. Wrap towards the top of your string loop
8. When there is only a small opening left, push the remaining end of your string through the loop
9. Pull firmly on both ends until the string loop disappears and everything is tight

ADDING THE SNAP

There's one more part to the braided dog leash instructions. Here's how to add the snap:

1. Put the loose ends of the leash through the bottom end of the snap and bring the ends down about 2 inches to lie next to the rest of the leash

2. Whip the parts tightly together with string or twine, just as you did for the handle
3. Add tape or glue