In case you haven’t heard, I am a HUGE Ruffwear fan.
Our dog, Tuna, is a HUGE leash puller. We’re talking “snapped 3 leashes in half” level of leash-pulling. So when I found Ruffwear’s Knot-a-Leash that was actually durable [and had a LOCKING carabiner, so it wouldn’t come unclipped], it was quite literally life changing. But what about those times when you want to go hands-free? Enter the Knot-a-Hitch dog tether!
I have not bought a single item from Ruffwear that I haven’t loved: from dog bowls, to chew toys, to harnesses to, of course, leashes. They’ve pretty much mastered the art of outfitting outdoor dogs. So when I saw the Knot-a-Hitch tether and how it was not only a hands-free and tangle-free way to leash up your dog, but also acted as basically a doggy zipline, I was all in.
Seriously, y’all. This thing is revolutionary.
And okay, maybe your dog can’t “ride” the zipline literally – but the sliding (and elevated) carabiner allows your dog fun, tangle-free movement for up to 36 feet. Which is almost equally as cool.
But enough rambling, right? Let’s get to the meaty stuff: The Pros and The Cons
Headed Outdoors? Check out my 10 Essentials for Camping With Your Dog!
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Pros of the Knot-a-Hitch Dog Tether
1. EASE OF SET-UP
The Knot-a-Hitch tether is super easy to set up – and that’s coming from somebody who is very easily frustrated by the simplest of tasks [thank you, anxiety disorder!]. Getting it ready to use is literally as easy as 1-2-3:
– Wrap the strap [located in the zippered pouch] around a tree or pole and secure it with the clip inside the larger, buttoned pouch.
– Remove the rope, wrap the end around a tree/pole, and secure it with the clip [located at the end of the rope].
– Head back to the carry bag [which should now be snug against the first tree/pole] and pull any excess rope away from it until the rope is taut between the 2 trees or poles.
That’s it! You just attach your dog’s leash to the carabiner and you’re all set. And if that’s not easy enough for you, there’s an even simpler set-up option! Which brings me to Knot-a-Hitch “pro” #2.
2. MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR SET-UP
Depending on where you’re camping, you might not have two trees or two poles to tie up to. OR you might just be lazy and not feel like doing the whole fancy-pants “zipline” set up. No prob!
You can simply attach the strap side of the Knot-a-Hitch, a.k.a. the “bag end” (no, that was not meant to be a Tolkien reference… initially), to a single tree or pole and clip the end of the rope to your pup’s harness or collar! Easy-peasy.
NOTE: This set-up option is NOT tangle-free like the zipline version, but it’s useful info in case your options are limited!
3. LENGTH OF TETHER
Another huge pro of this product [and something that makes it WAY more fun for your dog] is the length of the rope and the mobility that it gives your pup. The Knot-a-Hitch can extend up to 36 feet, which is going to be a huge upgrade from your typical 5 – 6 foot leash! Your pup will thank you [silently perhaps, but it’s a thank you nonetheless] for those extra 30 feet, and you’ll thank yourself for the hands-free freedom!
4. TANGLE-FREE
Quite possibly my favorite element of the Knot-a-Hitch is it’s tangle-free design. Sometimes the simplest ideas are the best and most innovative ideas, and that’s certainly the case with this dog tether! An elevated rope and a sliding carabiner – like hello!? Why didn’t any of us think of that? Because we aren’t geniuses like the product design team at Ruffwear, that’s why.
NOTE: You’ll want to make sure you position the rope high enough so that your dog won’t get tangled, but low enough that he can also sit and lay down comfortably.
5. DURABLE + PULL-RESISTANT
As I said before, Tuna has crazy Hulk-level strength in his back legs and pulls on leashes like you wouldn’t believe. And yeah, I should probably work harder on training that out of him but seriously, there is only so much trial-and-error that my weak arms can take!
Anyway, all judgment aside, the Knot-a-Hitch is a beautiful solution to my “weak arm” problem and has held up to Tuna’s pulling with no issues whatsoever! And when I tell you that Tuna pulls HARD, I sincerely mean it. Even the strongest people have struggled with holding his leash. Not only is he strong, he’s mastered the whole “running start” thing. So the fact that this dog tether is showing no signs of weakness, is applause-worthy for sure!
NOTE: The Knot-a-Hitch is made from thick, climbing-inspired rope and connects to your dog’s leash via locking carabiner (just like my favorite leash, the Knot-a-Leash) so there’s no chance of it coming unclipped!
6. VISIBLE COLOR + REFLECTIVE STRIPS
This is such a small detail that could have easily been overlooked, but the Ruffwear team covered all of their bases! The bright, red color and the reflective materials are super crucial for us campers. Realistically, you’re not going to take down the tether every night before bed and, equally as realistically, you’re probably going to forget that you left it up when you’re headed out for a middle-of-the-night pee trip. But as long as you’re wearing a headlamp or carrying a flashlight, it’d be incredibly hard to miss this brightly-colored, reflective rope! Even for the most tired of backcountry campers.
AUTHORS NOTE: I would like to take a moment to thank the poor product tester who clearly got clotheslined during the initial testing phase. This detail is too well thought-out for there to be any other explanation for it’s existence.
7. COMPACT DESIGN
I’m always appreciative of products that take up minimal trunk/pack space! The Knot-a-Hitch stuff sack is 6″ x 7″ x 2″, which isn’t pocket-sized small, but it’s pretty minimal – especially for car campers!
8. EASY TO PACK UP
As someone who lists “packing up my sleeping bag” as my #4 least favorite thing to do, I really appreciate how easy it is to just shove the tether back in the pouch, button it up, and go. It’s not like trying to fit a square into a circle like it is with most camping gear, and you don’t have to slowly and carefully wrap it up in order to make it fit. You can literally just throw the messy bundle of rope into the bag and be done with it. Viola! Perfect for lazy campers.
Get Your Own Knot-a-Hitch system [with FREE SHIPPING] from REI, Here!
Cons of Ruffwear’s Knot-a-Hitch Dog Tether
1. PRICE
The one con I can think of for the Knot-a-Hitch is the price.
$60 is a little steep for most people, especially when you can pick up a $10 cord-tether at a Walmart. The fact that Ruffwear is the only company that has a tether with this tangle-free design is probably the reason for the higher cost – they’ve kinda cornered the market on this one! And honestly, I’m cool with paying a little extra for a super innovative product made by my all-time fave company for doggy gear. I just know that some people (especially first-time Ruffwear customers) might find the price off-putting.
2. HONESTLY… THAT’S IT
I almost wish I could come up with more cons so you wouldn’t think I’m just an overly-positive person or secretly sponsored by Ruffwear (I’m not, btw) but I can’t. There is so much that I love about the Knot-a-Hitch. Every detail of this dog tether has been so carefully thought out:
Sick of de-tangling your dog? BOOM. Elevated design for tangle-free tie up.
Worried about your mini-Hulk (a.k.a. leash-puller) getting free? BOOM. Locking carabiner.
Afraid of getting clotheslined during your nighttime pee break? BOOM. Reflective material.
My overall opinion? Ruffwear has practically perfected the dog tethering game with the creation of the Knot-a-Hitch, and while the price is on the steeper end, it is well worth the investment. Set-up is easy and versatile [pack-up is even easier] and the materials are durable and trustworthy while allowing your dog to freely roam around camp, tangle-free.
BOTTOM LINE FOR THE KNOT-A-HITCH: #Dogtested, #Ownerapproved.
Buy your own Knot-a-Hitch Tether, Here!
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