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EzyDog zero shock dog lead review
The EzyDog zero shock dog lead is hard wearing, lightweight and seemingly chew proof.
Great for dogs who chew their lead due to its strength and durability, whilst still being comfortable on those longer dog walks.
Best for strong dog breeds and pullers. Along with dogs which are startled easily and lurch or lunge a lot.
Pros
Extremely durable and chew proof
Incredibly comfortable to hold
Good selection of colours
Dries quickly after rain
Washable
Just the right size to have control without being too short
Cons
Handle can become slippy in summer when sweating
May be a short lead length for some well behaved dogs
What is a zero shock dog lead?
When dogs pull suddenly or quickly change direction due to seeing a squirrel or pulling to get to doggy day care the amount of force transferred to the unfortunate owners arm can be substantial when using a regular lead. Especially if you have a larger or stronger dog breed.
A zero shock dog lead allows the lead to absorb and ease the majority of the force/pressure on both dog and the owner. They do this using bungee systems usually leading to :-
- Less uncomfortable sudden jolts
- Safer dog walks
- Less strains/pressure on the owners shoulders/arms
EzyDog zero shock dog lead features
- Soft neoprene lined loop handle for comfort
- Soft touch webbing for shock absorbing
- Zero shock technology for sudden jolts
- Carbon coated snap clip for secure fastening
- 2nd traffic control handle with grab handle for when you need to pull your dog in closer like at a dog friendly zoo
- Light reflective stitching for low visibility at night
- Soft touch webbing
- Accessory D ring for holding poo bag dispenser/holder
Pros
Durable and chew proof
We have had 3 48 inch EzyDog leads since we got Mabel. They generally survive the British weather, fox poo and being chewed multiple times. However, as Mabel has sharp teeth eventually they have succumbed to her as I was not giving her enough attention. This usually happens after continuous chewing on multiple walks a day for months.
In comparison, Mabel managed to quickly chew through a longer training lead we bought from Jollyes as it was the only option within 2 walks. This lead was made out of a weak orange fabric material and I can’t find it on the Jollyes website anymore. I had just taken her out of the house as I was packing the car up to go on a trip and brought Mabel outside for a sniff. Then whilst I was putting suitcases in the boot, I turned around and she had chewed through half of the lead whilst I was picking up the suitcases.
The lesson was I should have listened to the Dog’s Trust trainer, who said that you should always buy the next quality level up from the training lead you want to buy!
Handle is really comfortable to hold
The neoprene handle is incredibly soft and comfortable, even on longer dog walks over an 1 hour. After having Mabel chew through her EzyDog lead, I found standard leads quite uncomfortable to hold, whilst waiting for her new EzyDog zero shock dog lead to arrive.
This has become even more apparent recently after receiving a Cath Kidston lead for Christmas from DogGrandad and DogGrandma. Whilst a lovely thoughtful gift, when Mabel pulls the texture burns my hands as it is similar to rope. It is apparent how uncomfortable this is when walking her in busier areas such as on canals with other walkers, runners and cyclists. Or when we took her to a tulip festival at Farmer Copleys in Pontefact and close control was required. As the Cath Kidston lead does not have a traffic control grip, you have to double the lead up and then the toughened fabric rubs against your hands. Or when we took her to a tulip festival at Farmer Copleys in Pontefact and close control was required.
We kept using it for months, until we left Mabel with DogGrandad and DogGrandma and they both said the least was hard to control her on. So, we finally changed back to the EzyDog Zero Shock Lead after 1 month and 3 weeks too late.
This is the perfect lead for summer walks in the early morning, when you are keeping your dog cool in the summer or heatwaves.
13 different colours including non standard denim, black denim, corduory or bubblegum
Not only can you get your usual colours such as :-
There are some more unique colours and materials which I haven’t seen before such as :-
Dries quickly after rain
Ah yes, the British weather. The usual nemisis of the dog walker. Rain or shine, Mabel needs to go for her 2 walks a day. The lead thankfully dries fairly quickly after exposure to rain. Usually within 10-15 minutes if light train, 30 mins – 60 mins if heavier.
Reflective stitching adds an extra layer of safety at night
Similar to the EzyDog chest plate harness, the reflective stitching is useful in low light visibility in the dark winter months. For example, I vividly remember walking Mabel in the week between Christmas and New Year when it is the darkest in the UK. I cut through the park where there are only 2 street lights and I was still able to see where Mabel was between the street lights. As Mabel is a dark brown colour, the reflective stitching still allowed me to see where she was. We have since got her a light up collar to make this better, but she sometimes flicks the switch off with her vigorous shaking.
Ezydog Zero Shock Lead reviews from customers
5 stars – The best leash ever
This is his 4th ezydog shock leash in 7 years. I think they are fantastic and great on my arm when walking my labradoodle. Hopefully he has outgrown chewing it when I leave him tied up while I pop into a shop or when out eating! Would never consider buying anything else!
Glenys R. 4-8 year old Labradoodle.
From EzyDog UK site.
5 stars – Best Leash EVER!
The Zero Shock Leash is wonderful. Over the years I’ve had a German Shepherd, Miniature Schnoodle and now a Toy Cavoodle and this leash works well for all size of dogs. I found I was able to take their weight when they exited the car and it was very easy to give a tug to regain control at walk times. Now that I’ve got my Toy Cavoodle I still find this leash a great asset – one I wouldn’t be without.
Mary C. 4-8 year old Cavoodle
From EzyDog UK site.
5 stars – Awesome product 🙂
The shock absorber really works and the handle grip is so comfy. Highly recommended.Tanya W. 0-2 year old German Shepherd
From EzyDog UK site.
5 stars – Great lead
The elastic takes some getting used to, but the quality of the lead is evident. The cushioned handle is particularly great.
Sharyn S. 2-4 year old Springer Spaniel
From EzyDog UK site.
Cons
Handle can be a little slippy in summer when sweating
I’ve dropped the lead a few times in the summer due to the higher temperatures. The sweat, combined with the neoprene handle can make the handle slippy sometimes.
Might be a short lead length for some
There are both 48 inch (122 cms) and 25 inch (63.5cm) zero shock leads. We have the 48 inch and at times, it does feel a little short. However, we do prefer the control this provides us, we noticed this especially whilst taking Mabel around Filey Bird Garden and Animal farm, where control was needed.
3 stars – Leash
A little bit too short
Rung-arun W.
From Ezydog UK site.
Who is the EzyDog zero shock lead not for?
As much as we love this lead, it is not the right choice for everyone. Here is when we would suggest looking elsewhere.
Owners who need a long training line
The longest standard Zero Shock lead is 120cm. If you are working on recall training or need to give your dog more freedom to roam in open spaces, a 120cm lead is going to feel restrictive. For recall training you are better off with a dedicated long line, which typically runs from 5 to 10 metres. The EzyDog is built for control on walks, not distance training.
Owners who run with their dog regularly
If running with your dog is your main activity rather than an occasional thing, a hand-held lead is not ideal for anything beyond a gentle jog. You are better off with a waist-worn, hands-free lead designed specifically for running, such as the EzyDog Road Runner, which is built to be worn around your waist and gives you full use of both arms. The Zero Shock lead is brilliant for walks and the odd jog, but it is not a running lead.
Owners of very small or toy breeds
The standard Zero Shock lead is sized and weighted for medium to large dogs. If you have a very small or toy breed, the lead may feel heavy and the hardware oversized. EzyDog do make a Lite version for smaller dogs under 12kg, so check that first. If your dog is a Chihuahua, a Miniature Dachshund or similar, it is worth comparing the Lite version to dedicated small breed leads before buying.
Anyone who sweats a lot in summer
We mentioned this in the Cons section, but it is worth being direct about it here. The neoprene handle does become slippy when your hands are sweating on a warm day. If you walk in warm weather regularly or have particularly sweaty hands, this is a genuine issue rather than a minor inconvenience. Being in Britain, this happens very little so isn’t really a problem.
How does the Ezydog zero shock lead compare?
If you are weighing up shock absorbing leads, these are the three we get asked about most. We have tested the EzyDog ourselves with Mabel. The other two are based on verified reviews, specs and pricing from Amazon UK.
| EzyDog Zero Shock | Halti Active Lead | Ruffwear Roamer | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price (approx.) | £29-£37 from EzyDog UK | £16.49 on Amazon UK | £49.95 on Amazon UK |
| Shock absorption | Built-in bungee section | Built-in bungee section | Wavelength stretch webbing throughout |
| Handle | Soft neoprene | Soft neoprene | Padded adjustable handle |
| Hands-free option | No | Yes, doubles as a waist belt | Yes, designed as waist-worn |
| Lengths available | 25 inch, 48 inch, 120cm | Small (1.5m) and Large (2.1m) | 5.5-7ft or 7.3-11ft (extends) |
| Reflective stitching | Yes | Yes (3M Scotchlite) | Yes |
| Washable | Yes | Yes | Hand wash |
| Best for | Strong dogs, everyday walking, chewers | Active owners, runners, waist-worn use | Runners and hikers, hands-free adventures |
EzyDog Zero Shock: The best all-round everyday walking lead for strong or reactive dogs. The handle comfort is hard to beat and the build quality is genuinely impressive. The trade-off is that it is a hand-held only lead, so if you want to run hands-free, look elsewhere.
Halti Active Lead: The Halti Active Lead doubles as a waist belt, making it a solid option for runners who want hands-free control with a shock absorber built in. It is available on Amazon UK from around £14 to £17, making it the budget-friendly pick of the three. The downside reported by some owners is that the clip mechanism can be fragile with very strong pullers, so it may not be the best choice for a powerful breed long-term.
Ruffwear Roamer: The Roamer uses Wavelength stretch webbing that absorbs shock throughout the lead rather than just in a central bungee section, which gives a smoother feel during running. It can be hand-held, waist-worn, or secured around a post for maximum versatility. The main downside is price. It sits at around £45 to £60 on Ruffwear UK, making it considerably more expensive. One Amazon UK reviewer also flagged that the bungee stretch is longer than expected and urged caution near roads, which is worth being aware of.
Our verdict: If you want the best everyday walking lead for a strong dog, go EzyDog. If you run with your dog regularly and want a hands-free option, the Halti Active Lead is great value or the Ruffwear Roamer if budget is not a concern.
Would Mabel recommend the EzyDog zero shock dog lead?
Yes, without hesitation, and so would we.
We have used this lead with Mabel every single day for over two years. We are now on our third 48 inch lead.
Dog Dad
We have used this lead with Mabel every single day for over two years. We are now on our third 48 inch lead, which tells you two things: Mabel is a determined chewer when left to her own devices, and we keep coming back to buy the same lead rather than trying anything else. That says more about the EzyDog Zero Shock than any review quote ever could.
The shock absorbing technology is the real deal. When Mabel was in her peak lunging phase as a younger dog, the difference between walking her on this and walking her on a standard lead was significant. On a regular lead you feel every sudden movement directly through your wrist and shoulder. On the EzyDog, that sharp snap is cushioned into something much more manageable. It is not magic and it will not stop a strong dog from pulling, but it does take the physical punishment out of walking one. Our arms are grateful.
The handle comfort sets it apart from everything else we have tried. We know this because we tried a rope-style lead for almost two months out of loyalty to a thoughtful Christmas gift, and it was a genuinely miserable experience by comparison. The neoprene on the EzyDog is soft enough that you barely notice you are holding it, even on longer walks. The only exception is on very warm days when it gets a little slippy, but that is the only criticism we have after two years of daily use.
It is also built to survive British dog ownership, which involves rain, mud, rivers, fox poo and the occasional very dramatic puddle. The lead washes clean, dries quickly and the reflective stitching has come in useful on more dark winter walks than we can count. At Hornsea beach, Mabel nearly pulled us off our feet trying to get to the sea. At Filey Bird Garden she spotted the meerkats and decided she absolutely needed to meet every single one of them immediately. At Hardcastle Crags she found a scent trail that she was convinced was the most important thing in the world. In every one of those situations, the traffic control handle and the shock absorbing bungee made the difference between an enjoyable day out and a dislocated shoulder.
Is it perfect? Not quite. The 48 inch length is slightly short on open days when you want to give Mabel a bit more freedom, and the slippy handle in summer is a real con rather than a minor gripe. If you need a hands-free lead for running, or a long line for recall training, this is not the right tool. But for everyday walks with a strong, energetic or reactive dog, we have not found anything that comes close to it at this price point.
If your dog pulls, lunges, chews leads or simply makes walking feel like an extreme sport, the EzyDog Zero Shock lead is the one we recommend. Use code EZY_DOG_DAD_10 for 10% off at EzyDog UK.
We are not the only ones though; it currently has a 5 star rating from over 150 reviews on EzyDog UK.
It especially helped when we took Mabel to Hornsea beach, Hardcastle Crags and Filey Bird Garden and Animal Farm as she nearly yanked my arm off to get to the beach, explore the woods and meet the meerkats.
EzyDog zero shock dog lead FAQs
What size EzyDog Zero Shock lead should I get?
The size of EzyDog Zero Shock Lead you should get depends on how you use the lead and how well-trained your dog is. Here is a quick guide:
| Size | Length | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | 64cm | Close control, reactive dogs, busy areas |
| Standard | 120cm | Everyday walks, confident dogs, general use |
| Lite | 120cm | Everyday walks, traffic control handle included for dogs under 12kg |
We use the 48 inch with Mabel and it is the sweet spot for us. There are moments, particularly in fields, where a little more length would be nice. But for busy streets, parks and anywhere she might spot a squirrel and go into full Mabel mode, the control is exactly what we need. The traffic control handle allows us to navigate busy areas with lots of people or cross the road, whilst the full 12ocm allows her to still have freedom.
Is the EzyDog Zero Shock lead waterproof?
Whilst the EzyDog Zero Shock Lead is not marketed as waterproof, it is described as “weather resistant” and in practice it handles the British weather really well. The soft touch webbing does not absorb water the way fabric or rope leads do. After a light shower it dries off within 10 to 15 minutes. After a heavier downpour or a river paddle situation, expect closer to 30 to 60 minutes. It is also washable, so you can give it a proper clean if your dog has found something unpleasant to roll in. Which they always do.
Is the EzyDog Zero Shock lead good for strong dogs?
The EzyDog Zero Shock Lead is good for strong dogs, it is one of the reasons we chose it for Mabel, who is a Staffy cross with a surprising amount of power for her size. The Zero Shock Technology absorbs the sudden jolt when she decides to lunge chasing a squirrel, a crisp packet, or absolutely nothing at all. The soft touch webbing is designed to be both strong and durable, and we have tested that durability more times than we care to admit. It is particularly good for Staffies, Labradors, Springer Spaniels and other energetic or strong breeds that pull. That said, it is not a substitute for lead training. It reduces the impact of pulling but will not stop it entirely.
Do shock absorbing dog leads actually work?
Yes, shock absorbing dog leads work well, noticeably so. A standard lead transfers the full force of a dog’s lunge directly to your hand, wrist and shoulder. A shock absorbing lead, like the EzyDog Zero Shock, has a bungee-style section built into the centre of the lead that cushions that jolt. You still feel the pull, but the sharp snap of the impact is significantly reduced. We noticed the difference immediately when Mabel switched from a standard lead to the EzyDog. It is also gentler on the dog, particularly important for breeds prone to neck or spine strain.
What is an anti-shock dog lead?
An anti-shock or zero shock dog lead is a lead with a built-in shock absorbing section, usually made from bungee-style elastic webbing, that sits in the middle of the lead. When your dog pulls or lunges suddenly, the lead stretches slightly to absorb the force before it reaches your hand. The EzyDog Zero Shock lead uses what EzyDog calls Zero Shock Technology, a sprung bungee component in the centre of the lead. The result is a much more comfortable walk, less strain on your arm and shoulder, and a gentler experience for the dog too.
Can the EzyDog Zero Shock lead be used for running with my dog?
The 48 inch and 120cm versions are both suitable for running at a steady pace, and the neoprene handle stays reasonably comfortable even with a firm grip. However, if running with your dog is your main use case, you may want to look at a hands-free option like the EzyDog Road Runner lead which is specifically designed to be worn around the waist, keeping both hands free. The EzyDog Zero Shock lead is built primarily for walking, but it handles the occasional jog perfectly well.
How long does the EzyDog Zero Shock lead last?
How long the EzyDog Zero Shock Lead lasts depends on your dog. We have had three 48 inch leads since getting Mabel as a puppy. They survive the usual punishment of British walks, fox poo, rain and mud without any issues. The weak point, at least in our house, is chewing. Mabel eventually gets through one if she is left to chew it on multiple walks over several months. But that is a Mabel problem rather than a lead problem. She gets bored when talking to a particular person around our area and then starts chewing her lead to continue her walk. A non-chewer could reasonably expect a single lead to last a couple of years or more. In comparison, a cheaper training lead from a Jollyes lasted Mabel exactly two walks.
Where can I buy the EzyDog Zero Shock lead in the UK?
The best place to buy an EzyDog Zero Shock Lead in the UK is directly from EzyDog UK at ezydog.co.uk, where you can get 10% off using the code EZY_DOG_DAD_10 at checkout. It is also available on Amazon and a handful of independent UK pet retailers stock it too.
Other Ezy Dog product reviews
We have also reviewed the Ezy Dog chest plate harness.
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