Dog runners are godsends for dogs and dog owners alike. The dog gets to run around and play to their heart’s content, and the dog parent can rest assured, knowing that their dog is safe within the confines of their yard. However, these situations are only applicable if you choose the best dog runner for your needs.
These are the factors you need to consider before making a purchase.
What Type of Dog Runner Do You Want?
There are three main types of dog runners out there. Each of these serves a different purpose and fulfills different needs to keep your dog safe and secure outside.
Tie-downs
A tie-down is the most basic kind of canine runner. It is usually just a small rope or cable (around 4-5 feet) tied to a fence or a tree. You can also use it indoors to keep your dog mobile without having them running all around the house. Since they keep your dog in a particular place, tie-downs are not that useful for dog playtime.
Tie-outs
Tie-outs are the longer, more functional version of tie-downs with a much longer cable. These cables are anywhere between 15 and 30 feet, and some even allow you to customize the length. You can buy stand-alone cables tied to fences and trees, or you can also get complete kits with ground and tree hooks. Depending on the length, tie-outs offer a relatively large play area while also being extremely portable for camping trips and visits to the local park.
Trolley-based
Trolley-based dog runners are the ultimate package with all kinds of useful tools. The main cable is often 60 feet or longer and is tied between two trees with soft stoppers at the ends. Then, you have the main 10-foot runner cable attached with a trolley/pulley. A 60-foot and 10-foot runner set gives your dog over 1200 square feet of accessible area with plenty of space for running in straight lines – something that most dogs love.
The only downside to this whole system is its setup time. Mounting the tree hooks, main cable, trolley, and dog runner cable with the shock spring takes quite some time. This whole set is not particularly portable and is more of a permanent, long-lasting addition to your yard.
What Material Should the Cables Be?
Almost every major dog runner brand has a different composition for its cables, each with its pros and cons. However, the two types of cables you should avoid completely are pure steel and pure aluminum cables.
Pure steel
Pure steel cables are incredibly sturdy and strong. The entire runner system will break before a pure steel dog runner cable shows even a dent. However, steel is also extremely heavy. A robust pure steel cable will weigh down your dog, hampering their ability to move freely. These cables are also not very flexible, further increasing their movement resistance.
Pure aluminum
On the other hand, aluminum cables are incredibly lightweight (at least compared to steel) and fairly flexible, boosting the chances of your dog breaking them. They will not cause strain to your poor puppy’s shoulders. Unfortunately, aluminum on its own is not very strong and will start breaking down within months of regular use.
The best option
Your best option is to find cables made from steel and aluminum alloys. These alloys carry the best of both worlds while also mitigating the issues with the other. The steel provides strength, and the aluminum brings flexibility and light weight to the table.
How to Install a Trolley Dog Runner
Installing a functioning dog runner is not that difficult. Most sets even come with an accompanying set of instructions, like a manual or a video. But installation can still appear daunting for someone who has never done anything like it before.
The key to a successful installation is to take things one step at a time. Here’s what you have to do.
- The first step is to find two trees or mounting points for the main dog runner cable. Make sure that they are far enough apart to cover the entire length of the cable.
- The next step is ensuring the strength of these mounting points. Hollow trees or flimsy fences are not a good choice, since the main cable is supposed to be as tight as it can get.
- Once the mounting points are finalized, take the hooks and screw them in. They are threaded and sharp at the edges, so they should fit into any wooden object without any issues.
- Now, wrap the main dog runner cable around one hook and secure it with tightening clamps, using a wrench.
- Get to the other side of the cable and slide the cable through a stopper, the trolley, and then the second stopper.
- The next step is to wrap the cable around the second hook and secure it with the clamp. Make sure the cable is as tight as it can get and does not create any waste.
- The last step is to attach the dog runner cable to the pulley using the spring in between and the other end of the cable to your dog’s collar or harness, and you’re done.
For a visual explanation, check out this video from Preliminary Films:
