Why I Reach for the TrueGrip Leash on Every Walk

If you have ever walked a powerful dog, you know a leash is not just a cute accessory. It is the piece of gear you trust in the moments that happen fast: a rabbit bolts out of a bush, a bike zips by, another dog appears out of nowhere, or your dog hears a noise and decides it is time to investigate right now.

I started Alpine Dog Co. because my American Bulldog, Bam Bam, kept breaking out of store-bought collars. I began making stronger gear at home, and that work turned into a business built around large breeds and real life durability. Leashes are incredibly important as they need to be just as dependable as the collar your dog is wearing; their security relies on each other. 

Over the years, I have tried a lot of leashes. Rope. Nylon. Coated materials. Leashes with extra handles. Leashes that look great online but feel awful in your hand once you put a strong dog on the other end. The TrueGrip leash is the one I keep coming back to, because it solves the issues I see most often: slipping, leash burn, tangled messes, and that split second scramble when you need more control.

Before I get into the benefits, let me say this clearly. A leash cannot replace training. But the right leash can make training easier, and it can keep everyone safer while your dog is learning. It can also make daily walks feel less like a wrestling match and more like the bonding time they are supposed to be.

What most leashes get wrong

Most standard fabric or nylon leashes are fine until the moment they are not. They are usually smooth and flat, which means they slide through your hand when your dog surges forward. The more your dog pulls, the tighter you grip. The tighter you grip, the more friction you create. Then you end up with that familiar sting across your palm, or a rash, or that line burn that makes you dread the next walk.

Weather makes it worse. A wet fabric leash gets heavy, holds mud, and can stay damp for ages. In winter, it can feel icy. In summer, a sweaty hand on a smooth leash can feel like trying to hold onto a bar of soap.

And then there is the “add more handles” solution. This works for many situations - keeping a dog close while crossing a busy street, attending an exhibition or event, or during group training or recreational activities. Unfortunately for dogs with reactivity or prey drive it can also turn into a leash that only works if you are holding the right spot at the right time. If you get an unwanted surprise the last thing you want to be searching for is a traffic handle.

I wanted a leash that felt like an extension of your hand. Simple. Comfortable. Secure. Ready for the unpredictable.

Grab it anywhere, get control immediately

One of the biggest benefits of the TrueGrip leash is also the simplest: the entire leash is designed to be grabbed at any point. Instead of relying on one handle or adding multiple handles you can shorten your leash instantly by sliding your hand down and grabbing where you need to.

That matters in real life.

When you are walking a calm dog on a quiet trail, any leash feels fine. It is the unpredictable moments that show you whether your gear is actually designed for the dog in front of you. If your dog suddenly lunges, you do not want to wrap fabric around your hand. You do not want to fumble for a second handle. You want a quick, natural motion: grab, shorten, steady.

I have found this grab-anywhere feature especially helpful with large dogs who need a little extra management in tight spaces. Crossing a street. Passing a stroller. Walking past a driveway. Entering a busy park. You can keep the leash long when your dog has room, then shorten it smoothly when you need your dog close without changing your whole setup.

It also helps if you walk with kids, which I often do. Sometimes I have a stroller handle in one hand and a leash in the other, and I cannot be doing leash gymnastics. Being able to grab and shorten without thinking makes a huge difference when you are juggling real life circumstances.

A no-slip grip that stays comfortable

The next thing people notice is the feel. This leash is made from a soft, rubberized, textured material that provides grip without being rough. The raised surface helps it hold in your hand the way a good shoe grips the ground. Even if your dog pulls hard or shifts direction suddenly, the leash is less likely to slide through your fingers.

That is a big deal for anyone who has dealt with leash burn.

With many fabric leashes, the only way to keep control is to clamp down tighter while the leash slides. That friction is what causes the sting, the rash, and the red line across your palm after a rough walk. With the TrueGrip, the leash is designed to eliminate that feeling. The surface is grippy enough that you can hold securely without excess pressure, and the material is soft enough that it does not feel harsh.

I have also noticed that grip changes my body language on walks. If I am worried a leash will slip, my shoulders tense up and my hands clamp down. When I know my grip is solid, I can stay relaxed, keep my elbows soft, and guide my dog with calm pressure instead of panic. Dogs feel that difference.

If you have a dog who pulls, I always recommend practicing with two hands when you need more control. One hand on the main handle, the other hand lower on the leash to shorten and stabilize. With TrueGrip, that second hand placement is effortless, because anywhere you grab is a secure grab.

For people who hate the feel of typical coated leashes

A lot of people hear “waterproof coated leash” and immediately think of something stiff, slick, or plasticky. I get it. Some coated materials are amazing for cleaning, but they can feel hard in your hands, especially in colder temperatures. They also tend to be smooth, which means the “waterproof” benefit comes with a grip problem.

TrueGrip is different. It has that wipe clean practicality people love in coated materials, but the feel is softer, and the texture is what makes it special. I have described it as the biothane leash for people who hate biothane leashes. It is more like a soft rubber with a grippy surface than a stiff strap.

Another benefit of that softness is that it is less likely to irritate your skin. I have had customers tell me they appreciate that it does not cause a rash or aggravate their hands the way some leashes do. If you have sensitive skin, that comfort matters.

Works with gloves, cold hands, and sweaty hands

I live in Canada, so I care a lot about how gear performs in cold weather. Gloves reduce your ability to feel what you are holding, and smooth leashes can slip when your grip is compromised by cold hands. That is where this leash really shines.

Because the grip runs along the full length, you can grab and hold confidently whether you are wearing gloves or not. If your hands are cold, you do not have to worry about losing your grip the moment your dog decides to surge forward.

And it is not just a winter thing. In summer, a smooth leash plus sweaty hands is a recipe for slipping. The textured, rubberized surface keeps its grip in warm weather too.

If you walk early mornings, late evenings, or through all the seasons, you already know your gear needs to be consistent. The leash should not be great in June and miserable in January. It should just work.

Waterproof and wipe clean, because dogs are messy

Dogs do not care if it rained. They do not care if the trail is muddy. They do not care if they just stepped in something you would rather not think about.

That is why waterproof matters.

TrueGrip does not soak up water the way fabric does, so you are not stuck holding a soggy leash on a long walk. It is easy to clean, because most of the time it is literally a wipe down job. No waiting for it to dry. No lingering damp smell. No heavy, saturated leash swinging around in your hand.

This is one of those benefits that sounds boring until you live it. Then you realize how much mental energy you used to spend avoiding puddles, keeping the leash off the ground, or trying not to touch the gross part. Dog life is messy. A leash that shrugs off mess makes everything easier.

Lightweight, secure, and less tangly

Another comment I hear sometimes is, “I was worried it felt too lightweight.” I get it. Heavy leashes can look reassuring.

But strength does not have to mean heavy, and control does not have to mean bulky. A leash can be lightweight and still feel extremely secure when the grip and the hardware are designed properly.

TrueGrip also uses a swivel clip. If you have a dog who pivots, circles, spins to sniff, or changes directions constantly, you already know how quickly a leash can twist into a tangled rope. The swivel clip allows the leash to rotate with your dog’s movement, which helps reduce tangling and makes walks feel smoother. You spend less time untwisting and more time actually walking.

This matters for big dogs, because tangles are not just annoying. A twisted leash can change how pressure is applied, and it can create sudden jerks when the leash catches. A smoother leash line helps create smoother communication between you and your dog.

A real life story that says it all

One of the most memorable messages we received was from a customer with a Great Pyrenees named Oscar, around 160 pounds. They live in a rural area and did not use leashes often, so Oscar was not perfectly leash trained. They bought the leash so they could do more walks around their property.

Then Oscar heard a noise and tried to go after it, the kind of sudden, powerful movement that can take you off guard. The customer told us they were able to hold Oscar back with ease, and it did not burn their hands the way fabric leashes usually do. They even said it potentially saved their dog’s life.

I have also heard a similar story where a dog tried to go after chickens on a property, and the grab-anywhere control helped the owner react quickly. Those are the moments where you do not need “extra features.” You need a leash that stays in your hand when it counts.

A leash you actually want to use

Function always comes first in my world, but I still believe your dog’s gear should look good. TrueGrip comes in multiple colors, and it is one of our best reviewed items, consistently earning strong feedback from dog parents who need real grip and real control.

If you have a big dog, a strong puller, a dog who startles easily, or a dog who simply has a lot of enthusiasm for the outside world, this leash can make walks feel calmer. If you walk in rain, snow, or mud, the waterproof wipe clean material is a game changer. If you wear gloves in winter or deal with sweaty hands in summer, the no-slip feel is the upgrade you did not know you needed.

The leash is your connection to your dog on every walk. When it is comfortable, grippy, and easy to manage, you feel more confident. And when you feel more confident, your dog usually does too.

That is why I reach for the TrueGrip.

 

 

Natalie McCalla 

Natalie McCalla is the co-owner of Alpine Dog Co. and a mom of two who shares life with two bully breeds. After her American Bulldog, Bam Bam, kept escaping collars, she began designing durable, personalized gear for dogs who need strength without sacrificing style, safety, or comfort. Natalie writes for dog owners who want practical, real-world guidance and products that fit their dog’s personality.