Hitch Leash: Usage and Safety Guidelines
Maintenance Advice
Should your Hitch Leash become wet, completely extend the tape from its housing. Engage the brake mechanism and allow the leash to air dry thoroughly overnight. Before retracting the tape, ensure all dirt or debris is removed from both the tape and the casing. Significant wear or damage, especially from chewing, can compromise the tape's integrity. If your Hitch Leash displays such damage, discontinue use immediately.
Essential Safety Information
Before using your Hitch Leash, it's crucial to review the following safety warnings. Ignoring these precautions can lead to serious injuries.
The retractable design of the Hitch Leash necessitates specific safety measures to minimize injury risks. Please read this information carefully before using your leash and keep it for future reference.
Who should use this leash?
Only responsible adults who have read and can adhere to all these guidelines should operate this leash. Anyone using this leash must be capable of controlling their dog and observing them closely at all times to prevent them from running off or entangling anyone in the tape. Keep this leash out of the reach of young children. This leash is not a toy and should never be used for play.
Is this leash appropriate for your dog?
Avoid using this leash with a disobedient or unruly dog, as they are more prone to wrapping the tape around people or other animals, or reaching high speeds.
Even small dogs can exert enough force to cause injury, particularly since the leash's length allows them to accelerate. Always follow all safety advice, even with a small dog.
Proper Leash Usage
Only use this leash as intended:
Never attach more than one dog to a single leash.
Do not use multiple Hitch Leashes simultaneously.
Avoid attaching any accessories to the leash housing unless they are specifically designed or authorized by Hitch Leash.
Recognizing Potential Hazards
Abrasions and Burns
If the tape rubs against your skin, it can cause friction burns or deep cuts. The risk of cuts and burns increases significantly if the tape becomes wrapped around any part of your body.
Prevent contact with the tape, and never allow it to encircle any part of your body.
Keep the tape taut; don't let slack accumulate, as you could become entangled.
If the tape wraps around you, do not grab it. Instead, turn your body or pass the handle to your other hand to free yourself (refer to “Finger Loss & Fractures”).
For added protection against cuts and burns, consider wearing long sleeves and pants.
Finger Loss & Fractures
If the tape wraps around your fingers or snags on a ring, a sudden strong pull from your dog can result in finger amputation or bone fractures.
Avoid touching the tape while the leash is attached to your dog, and never let it wrap around your hands or fingers.
Do not grasp the tape itself.
Never use the tape directly to control your dog.
Should the tape become entangled in a bush or other object, establish control of your dog before attempting to free it. Do not touch the tape if your dog can pull on it.
To further mitigate the risk of finger injuries, remove any rings before use.
Eye & Face Injuries
If the leash, your dog's collar, or the leash connection fails, the tape and hook can recoil with enough force to cause severe eye damage, broken teeth, cuts, and bruises. This can occur even when the leash is locked if the tape is under sufficient tension.
Falls
Since the Hitch Leash is longer than standard leashes, your dog can achieve greater speed and exert a stronger pull, potentially causing you to fall.
If your dog begins to run away, immediately engage the brake button to prevent them from building excessive speed. If your dog has already gained momentum, you will experience a tug when you activate the brake or if the dog reaches the end of the leash.
Avoid letting slack accumulate in the tape; your dog might run and build up speed until the slack is exhausted, resulting in a sudden, strong pull.
Maintain stable footing. Do not use the leash while on moving devices such as bicycles, skateboards, or rollerblades.
Risk to Bystanders
Individuals nearby are susceptible to all the injuries mentioned in this guide. Specifically, they could be cut by the tape if they contact it or if it wraps around them, or they might trip over the leash.
Be mindful of those around you. They may not notice the tape. Keep your dog under control and position the tape away from them.
When near other people or animals, shorten the leash and keep your dog close to your side with the leash locked.
Refrain from using the Hitch Leash near small children, including those in strollers.
If the tape wraps around someone, instruct them not to touch it. Regain control of your dog and do not touch the tape if your dog can pull on it.
Repairs and Servicing
Do not attempt to repair this leash. Do not open the leash housing. The internal spring mechanism within the housing is pre-wound and can cause injury if opened.
For any inquiries, please reach out to [email protected].
Operating Instructions
Pre-Use Inspection
Before each use, confirm that all components of your leash and your dog's collar or harness are in good working order, free from damage, fraying, or breakage.
Attaching the Leash
Secure the leash's hook to the D-ring on your dog’s collar or harness. Never attach it to your dog’s ID tag ring, as that ring is not designed for leash attachment and could break.
Ensure the hook is fully closed and firmly attached to the collar or harness D-ring.
Detaching the Leash
Ensure your dog is under control. Fully retract the leash before disconnecting it.
Attaching and Securing the Carabiner
Use the patented carabiner handle to attach the leash to stable, fixed objects like railings, small trees, or park benches.
Never attach the carabiner to movable items such as strollers, bicycles, or chairs.
The carabiner is designed for objects up to 1.5 inches in diameter. Never wrap the tape itself around an object and then secure it to the carabiner.
Once the carabiner is attached to an object, rotate the carabiner lock to the locked position to ensure a secure connection.
Detaching the Carabiner
Ensure your dog is under control and unlock the carabiner before detaching it.
Keep your Hitch Leash tape locked with the lock button engaged when removing the carabiner from an object.
Drying Procedures
If your leash gets wet, pull the tape out of the leash housing as far as it can extend and engage the brake. Allow it to air dry overnight in a location inaccessible to children. Once the tape is dry, carefully and slowly retract the leash to maintain control.
How to Use the Leash
Always hold the leash by the handle; never hold it by the tape itself. You may also use your other hand to hold the hand loop for additional control. Never tie the leash around trees, poles, or any other objects.
To shorten the leash and bring your dog closer, follow these steps, without ever touching the tape:
Extend your arm forward and press the brake button.
Take a step toward your dog while simultaneously bringing your arm back to your side.
Release the brake button, swing your arm forward again towards your dog, and then press the brake button.
Repeat these steps as necessary.