Dog leashes can be expensive! If you have a dog who loves to chomp and break through their expensive leash, it might be time to find a DIY plan so they’re not excessively chewing through your budget. Plus, making your own leash allows you to choose the materials you want and customize it to fit your pup’s personality. Get ready to learn how to craft a cheap way for your dog to walk in style!
The 11 DIY Dog Leash Plans
1. Braided Rope Leash With Leather Details
| Materials: | Cotton clothesline (7/32” width), leather scraps, brass swivel hook |
| Tools: | Hot glue gun, measuring tape, scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This craft creatively uses a braided cotton clothesline to make a sturdy, beautiful rope leash that’s secured with leather scraps and a brass swivel hook. You can create this leash in a matter of minutes if you have the supplies plus a hot glue gun, measuring tape, and scissors. The braid loops around to form the lead, so there’s no more uncomfortable plastic or rough handles. You can even customize it by accessorizing the leather scraps or tie-dying the cotton clothesline cord. All of the materials are easy to find at a hardware and fabric store, so after two quick errands you’ll be ready to begin!
2. DIY Wedding Dog Leashes
| Materials: | 1/2″ x 6′ cotton rope, faux flowers, greenery or yarn, Lobster Claw Clasp, faux Suede Cord |
| Tools: | wire cutters, 20 gauge or heavier wire, low-heat glue gun, scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Medium |
Although this leash was designed to be used in wedding ceremonies, there’s no reason your dog can’t look dapper every day. You can customize the faux greenery or leave it out if you don’t think it suits your pup’s style. This plan uses cotton rope for the leash, so you don’t have to braid any cord. The exact lobster clasp and cotton rope can be found at the Amazon links provided in the tutorial for your convenience, or you can supply them from a hardware store or fabric shop. If you have the supplies, it shouldn’t take long to make this chic leash upgrade.
3. Paracord Dog Leash
| Materials: | Two 16-foot strands of 550lb Type III Paracord, one metal snap latch |
| Tools: | Paperclip |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
You know those nice paracord leashes at the pet store? You can make one yourself for a fraction of the cost if you have these three materials. A paperclip is the only tool you’ll need. The tutorial provides the instructions for using a lark’s knot and four-cord braid, which are the two techniques you’ll need to learn to accomplish this project. Different shades of paracord can give this useful accessory some color and distinguish your pet’s lead from the others at the dog park.
4. DIY Macrame Dog Leash
| Materials: | 4 mm braided cotton cord (macrame or paracord material is fine), snap hook, 3cm D-ring (optional) |
| Tools: | Scissors, measuring tape |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Let your dog join in on the macrame trend with this adorable leash! It’s crucial to choose a durable, braided cord and a strong snap hook so that your project will pass the test of your dog’s tugging. You’ll also need a 3 cm D-ring, measuring tape, and scissors. Although it isn’t required, it might be easier if you have a clipboard or something to hold the strands while you braid as they do in this video tutorial. You’ll also need some time to learn any new knots that you don’t know already, but the video tutorial is super informative, and you might find the knotting process addictive. The optional spiral knot adds a stylish flair that serves a practical purpose because the leash will be harder to tangle than if it were knotted in a purely straight pattern.
5. DIY Glow-in-the-Dark Dog Leash Tutorial
| Materials: | Glow-in-the-dark rope, contrasting thinner rope, swivel snap hook |
| Tools: | Scissors, lighter to burn the ends of the rope |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This luminescent leash is a cut above other paracord projects with its glow-in-the-dark cord that you can find on Amazon. You can make this leash in about twenty minutes by attaching the hook and then braiding the cords together. The instructions say to test a sample of rope to see if you can burn the ends to keep it from unraveling before you burn the end of the braid. Alternatively, you could hot-glue leather scraps or some other cord to connect the handle and hide the knot. If your dog often goes for a nighttime stroll or participates in trail activities far from home, it’s a good idea for them to wear something (like this leash) for visibility in case they become lost. It’s also helpful if they walk at night in an urban area where it may be hard for drivers to see them.
6. Ribbon Dog Leash Tutorial
| Materials: | Ribbon scraps 1/4″ wide totaling 28 inches long, 28 3″ X 6″ fabric scraps, swivel clip |
| Tools: | Iron, measuring tape, scissors, sewing machine, or needle and thread |
| Difficulty Level: | Medium |
If you love to sew, you probably have a scrap stash that you always delay tossing away because someday you’ll need it. That day is today! This project is a scrap-buster that benefits your dog (and your budget). The patchwork design looks playful and cute—just like your pup. Although it’s possible to complete this project by hand, it’s much faster and easier if you have a sewing machine so you can whip it up in time for their afternoon walk.
7. DIY Upcycled Dog Leash
| Materials: | Old t-shirt, thread, swivel hook or old leash |
| Tools: | Scissors, needle |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
Although you could go out and buy fabric and a new swivel hook, the beauty of this project is that it uses items you probably already have on hand. Almost everyone has an old t-shirt that they don’t wear because of rips, stains, or organizations you joined back in ’03, but you could also source one from a thrift store if you don’t have one languishing in your closet. The swivel hook can come from your dog’s old leash, and it’s recommended that you leave the last inch or so of rope attached to the old leash so that it provides a durable foundation for the new leash. This tutorial lays out a specific way to cut the t-shirt into three long pieces, and then you just attach the swivel hook, and braid them together.
8. Easy DIY Dog Rope Leash
| Materials: | Old t-shirts, swivel hook |
| Tools: | Scissors, hot glue gun (optional) |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This DIY project takes the idea of an upcycled leash a step further, using three different colored t-shirts to give it some character and hot gluing the ends for extra reinforcement. You can really clean out your closet with this project, especially if you have multiple dogs!
9. Dog Leash and Collar from Nylon Webbing and Ribbon
| Materials: | Nylon webbing, ribbon, swivel hook, thread |
| Tools: | Needle, scissors |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This leash and collar set relies on nylon webbing for its durability. The leash also requires a swivel hook, ribbon, scissors, needle, and thread. More materials are necessary if you want to make the matching collar, so refer to the tutorial if you’re interested. You can use ribbon to accent the nylon webbing, or fabric if you have the time to cut, turn it under, and sew it. If you’re in a hurry, you can just cut the nylon webbing, attach the swivel hook, and secure the ends.
10. DIY Climbing Rope Dog Leash
| Materials: | Climbing rope, locking carabiner |
| Tools: | Scissors, lighter |
| Difficulty Level: | Easy |
This simple DIY project uses a climbing rope and a carabiner to attach to your dog’s collar. However, it’s important to note that not just any clip will do. Unless your dog is super small or doesn’t like to pull, we recommend following the guidance in the tutorial and investing in a locking/screw gate carabiner to keep your dog secured. We think this easy leash is an essential supply to make before hitting the trail with your favorite furry hiking buddy.
11. DIY Leather Dog Collar and Leash
| Materials: | 2.5mm leather, D-ring, bolt snap, tongue buckle, 8mm rivets, masking tape, acrylic paint, matte acrylic finisher |
| Tools: | Rotary blade, leather punch, mallet, cutting mat, ruler, paint brush |
| Difficulty Level: | Hard |
This DIY leash and collar set is a little bit of an extra challenge, but may be a good project to try out leather crafting. You can find leather at a leather supply store or online. Although it’s not necessary, this tutorial includes directions for painting a pattern on the leather if you want to get super creative.
In Summary
DIY leashes are a good way to save money and make your dog stand out from the pack. Why not craft something upcycled and unique so that you can spend your money on treats instead of supplies? Or if you don’t prefer the appearance of recycled materials, macrame or braided paracord leashes are a simple project that won’t go out of style. Your dog will thank us later.
Featured Image Credit: absolutimages, Shutterstock
The 11 DIY Dog Leash Plans
