FAQs
What are your leashes made from?
Our leashes, collars, and accessories are made from BioThane. BioThane is a woven polyester webbing with a soft PVC coating. It’s durable, lightweight, waterproof, odor proof, antimicrobial (stink prood), and easy to clean. It is an ideal material for working with dogs as it does not absorb water, dirt, mud, or odor - no more dirty, stinky rope, webbing, or leather leashes! BioThane is softer, more supple, and easier to grip than nylon, making leash burn less likely. It’s easier to maintain and more affordable than leather. BioThane comes in a variety of vibrant colors and different widths so the options for customization are endless!
What size + length leash should I order?
Leash sizing is very individual! It will depend on you and your dog's size, intended uses, environment, and your comfort level handling a leash. We always encourage customers, when they can, to consider a slightly longer leash. It will give them more flexibility and to help their dog to have more freedom, autonomy, and opportunities to sniff on their walks! Read more about leash sizing.
What custom options should I add to my leash?
We offer a wide variety of leash customization options to meet you and your dog's needs. Read all about our customization options. That said, there is nothing wrong with opting for a standard leash with a loop handle!
What hardware type should I choose?
We offer our leashes and long lines with Classic Brass or Sport (autolocking Carabiner) hardware. Learn more about our different hardware options.
What is a long line and how do I use one?
A long line is a leash that is longer than the "standard" leash length of 6 feet. It's a simple but incredibly versatile tool! Typically, you attach the line to the back of your dog’s harness and simply leave it on your dog during a neighborhood walk, sniffy walk, hike, beach romp, or training/play session. You can hold the line with slack, or, if leash laws allow and your dog's recall is reliable, simply drop it and let it drag, picking it up as needed. Long lines can be helpful for training recall and loose leash walking, or just for giving your dog a little extra room to sniff and move their body freely. You can also use a long line while traveling, camping, backpacking, or anytime you want to give your dog some extra freedom while keeping everyone safe. Learn more about long lines here.
Is BioThane chew proof?
No! Just like nylon, rope, webbing, or leather, BioThane is NOT chew proof and a determined dog (or a puppy) will be able to damage or even chew all the way through the line. For this and other safety reasons, you should never leave your dog unattended wearing any leash or long line. If you need to tie your dog out for any reason, please use a line made expressly for that purpose, such as a cable.
How strong is BioThane?
BioThane is incredibly strong. It has a tested break strength of at least 1000 lbs per inch of width. BioThane gets its strength from its woven webbing core, while the PVC coating protects the webbing from damage and UV deterioration. You do not need to worry about an intact, undamaged BioThane line breaking, even with determined pulling from a strong dog. If the webbing core of your leash is damaged, the strength of your leash may be compromised. Please inspect your leash and hardware regularly.
How do I clean my BioThane gear?
BioThane is a cinch to clean! Just rinse off and wipe down with a towel. For a more thorough clean, or soak in a bowl of water with mild soap, clean gently with a sponge or a towel, rinse thoroughly and towel dry. To sanitize your leash, wipe down with a sanitizing wipe or spray down and allow to air dry.
If you work at a daycare or training facility where the lines are being used by multiple dogs, it is best to clean them often with a germicidal solution such as Kennel Sol. Dilute according to instructions, then spray, wipe, or dunk leashes in the solution and allow to air dry. Learn more about cleaning your BioThane gear here.
How do I clean and care for my leash hardware?
Some basic care and maintenance will help ensure that your leash hardware stays intact and functioning for years to come. Salt water and sand will weather your hardware over time. After a trip to the beach, a muddy hike, or any other time your leash hardware is exposed to salt water, sand, mud, or other grime, make sure to rinse your leashes well and towel or air dry. Over time, dirt, grime, and salt can collect in the spring mechanism of a standard bolt snap, resulting in a “sticky” clasp. To fix this, first soak in soapy water and rinse the hardware well to get any larger pieces of dirt/grime out. Then add a few drops of WD-40 or another penetrating oil inside the clasp where the spring is. Open and close the clasp repeatedly until it is moving more smoothly. Do not store your gear wet. Rinse and dry after use and hang up for storage.
Does BioThane get sticky or tacky?
Under normal use BioThane does not get sticky or tacky. BioThane may get sticky or tacky with exposure to certain chemicals such as DEET.
Does BioThane hold up in cold weather?
BioThane will remain flexible and durable in cold weather.
Is BioThane colorfast?
Yes! BioThane is developed with extensive testing to ensure that it is colorfast (color won't bleed or transfer to fabric or fur). It is possible for brass hardware to tarnish your dog's fur.
How long will my order take to ship?
Each piece of BioThane gear is custom made to order. Our current production lead time for handmade BioThane gear and ID tags is approximately one week from when you place your order to when your items ship. This is production time ONLY and does NOT include shipping and transit time. Please note that during times of extremely high order volume, your gear may take up to three weeks to ship. If you are ordering Ready to Ship items ONLY (Pre Made items, treats, toys, treat bags, books, etc) your items will typically ship within 2-3 business days from when you place your order.
You will get an email confirmation and tracking number when your order has shipped. When you place your order, please use an email address that you check! We occasionally need to contact you with a question regarding your order. If you do not receive an order confirmation or tracking updates, check your spam or promotions folder. If you still cannot find an email regarding your order, please contact us. Please view the rest of our shipping policies here.
What’s your return policy?
Each piece of custom BioThane gear is hand made to order to your specifications. While many small makers such as ourselves do not accept returns on custom goods, we want you to be happy with your items, and we understand that sometimes the wrong item is ordered or the item does not fit. Due to the custom nature of our products, we charge a 15% restocking fee on elective returns and exchanges of BioThane products. This includes items that were ordered in the wrong size. PLEASE review the sizing guidelines carefully before placing an order, and contact us prior to placing your order if you have questions about sizing.
Please note that Pre Made + Sale items, snuffle mats, treats, and personalized items such as dog ID Tags and ID Tag Collars are NOT eligible for return unless we made a mistake on your order.
If you would like to inquire about returning one of our resale products, please contact us.
Do you have a warranty?
We guarantee our products for life against defects in manufacturing and workmanship. If you experience a manufacturing defect, please contact us regarding a repair or replacement. If your item arrives and it is defective or not as described, you can return it for a replacement within 30 days of receipt of the item. Our warranty does NOT cover what we consider normal wear and tear, breakdown of materials and hardware after prolonged use, or items being chewed. Please view our full Warranty Terms here.
Do you wholesale to retailers?
Yes! We are happy to partner with brick and mortar retailers and positive reinforcement trainers with a retail space who share our vision of enhancing the lives of dogs and their owners. Click here to learn more.
Do you offer perks to Dog Professionals such as dog walkers and trainers?
Yes! We have a Dog Professional Program for verified R+/positive reinforcement dog professionals. We offer a standard Pro Discount, bulk order discounts, and other exclusive perks! To apply, fill out our Dog Pro Program application. After submitting the form, we will get back to you within 3 business days.
Do you have an Affiliate Program?
Yes! We have an active Affiliate Program. It's free and easy to apply! Once registered, you can share your personalized discount code or link with friends, family, clients, followers, or anyone else you'd like! They'll get 10% off their purchase, and you'll earn a 10% commission on every sale you refer to us. This is a great way to earn passive income while supporting a small business (us)! Learn more about our Affiliate Program and apply here.