Okay, so I wanted to make a simple dog lead, the slip-on kind. I’ve seen folks use them, and they looked pretty straightforward. Plus, my pup has a habit of chewing through the regular ones, so I figured, why not give it a shot myself?
Getting Started
First, I grabbed some rope. I had some sturdy nylon rope lying around from an old camping trip. It felt strong enough, but not too rough on the hands. I figured it should be long, so that it give the dog enough room to sniff around.

Making the Loop
The trickiest part, I thought, would be making the loop that goes over the dog’s head.
- I measured out enough rope, I folded one end of the rope back on itself to form a loop.
- Then, I tied a simple overhand knot, it looked pretty secure to me. It kept the loop secure.
- Then I pulled on it real hard, just to make sure it wouldn’t come undone when my dog decided to chase a squirrel.
Forming the Handle
Next, I needed a handle. I just took the other end of the rope and did the same thing. I folded the rope and knot it again. Pretty much the same as the other end, just a smaller loop, big enough for my hand. I tested with my hand to make sure I feel comfortable.
Testing It Out
Finally, time for the test run! I slipped the loop over my dog’s head, it fit nicely. We went for a short walk, and it worked great! No slipping, no escaping, and most importantly, no chewing. I still kept my eyes on him all the time.
It’s not the prettiest thing, but it’s functional, and it was super easy to make. Plus, I saved myself a trip to the pet store and a few bucks. I’m calling that a win!