Why Most Multi-Dog Walking Gear Fails in the Real World
Originally posted: 2 September 2019
Why Most Multi-Dog Walking Gear Fails in the Real World
Most dog walking tools are designed in theory — not in motion.
They assume dogs walk in straight lines, move at similar speeds, and respond predictably. Anyone who has walked more than one dog knows none of that is true. Dogs weave, stop suddenly, surge forward, and cross paths constantly. Traditional leads simply aren’t built for this reality.
At The Hartful Company, we started questioning not just how dog walking should work — but how it actually does.
The Hidden Problem: Directional Conflict
What creates tangles isn’t twisting cords — it’s directional conflict. Multiple dogs moving independently from a single control point create opposing forces that traditional leads can’t manage.
Most “anti-tangle” solutions try to reduce spinning, but they don’t address spacing, balance, or load distribution — which means tangles still happen, just more slowly.
Designing Around Motion, Not Control
Instead of focusing on restraining dogs, we began designing around how dogs naturally move. That meant studying:
Crossing patterns
Sudden stops
Pull asymmetry
Handler balance and grip fatigue
This shifted our approach entirely — from controlling dogs to supporting motion safely.
Validation Before Design
By 2019, MyHerculead still existed only as a concept framework — but one grounded in observation, not assumptions. Our goal wasn’t to rush into prototypes, but to deeply understand the problem space before building anything at all.
Because when safety is involved, speed is never the priority — clarity is.
What’s Ahead
This research phase laid the groundwork for what would later become system-level design thinking — not just a lead, but a walking architecture.
We’ll be sharing more as the journey continues.
