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Innovative and Gentle, Making Dogs and Their Humans Happy
By design, the Sidekick® is a tool that aids in transforming the human and dog relationship from confusion, frustration, disrespect, or total absence into relationships of respect and clear understanding. With proper application and dedicated practice, the gentle fit of the Sidekick® can help calm your pup and allow for a positive and respectful connection.Why the Sidekick®?
Pup-Comfort Technology
Our leashes are handmade with your pup’s comfort in mind. Using the softest, stretchiest materials, this leash is strong, but flexible and gentle on your pup’s skin.
Recommended by Professionals
Used by trainers and professionals across the globe, The Sidekick® has been proven to be a useful training tool.
Lifetime Support
We are proud of the tools we offer and we stand behind them. Need additional help? We're here to support you through your training journey, so reach out to us at any time.Find a Sidekick® Near You
Monica G.
I love this better than the gentle lead that clips under the chin. Having it at the top of his neck make me feel like I won't hurt him. He is a happy reactive dog and lunges to go play when we see other dogs. I have great control with this lead. The only thing I would love is if it were a couple of feet longer to give him more range when we are at the park.
Gail S.
My 70 pound 1 year old puppy was not easily controlled on a walk. Trainer #2 recommended this leash. I had tried a pinch collar without much success so when she recommended this type leash I was apprehensive that it would work. Amazingly, it was the answer to a nice walk that we both enjoyed !!!! Highly recommend!
Jill R.
This leash is absolutely magical! I can walk my partner’s dog and now there’s slack in it! I used to have to wrap the old leash around my waist just to hold onto Luna. She’s such a great walker now and we can both enjoy sunset walks everyday! I cannot thank you enough! I’ve already referred two customers!
Colby G.
I love the product. There was a long delay in shipping with no communication. I asked to have my order cancelled because I had found and purchased it in store. The order shipped only after I requested a cancellation so now I have 2. I would recommend the product but would tell someone to purchase through a retailer and not directly from you as your customer service is lacking.
Calvin D.
Ranger is my third rescue and Heather’s Hero is my go to leash. Rescue dogs often come with behavioral issues like jumping and pulling. I not only use this leash on my walks, but around the house when dealing with jumping and counter surfing. I’m convinced this interchangeable leash design is the only leash you’ll ever need.
Janine R.
I have used/recommended headcollars and sometimes a prong for a while now for difficult dogs. I recognize their issues but unruly dogs need exercise. The sidekick leash is the best product I’ve come across and it is the one piece of equipment my unruly Aussie respects. It is a true game changer. It is easy to fit and use and made of quality materials. The nylon rope is soft on them and your hands. I own two sized for my dog - one for the house and the other for my car in case he forgets his manners now that he is much better behaved. I bought the other size to be able to use for smaller dogs in my classes.
I put the sidekick leash on a very unruly dog in a group class and within less than 5 minutes, the handler could successfully participate. The owners were over the moon! Nothing beats consistent training but owners adopting rescued dogs need something to take away the stress of walking their dog. This helps them in their daily lives.
Gina D.
Loved it! Great quality, fair price, very fast shipping!
Gail
Perfect for my 70 pound reactive pup. It took about 3 days for him to get used to the muzzle and then smooth sailing. I highly recommend it when traditional leads do not work.
Holly B.
We love it! I use a head collar for my dog because he walks so much better with it and when I came across this all in one I really wanted to try it out. The fabric is lightweight enough even for my little guy. Perfect leash for a quick trip out as you can also use it as a slip lead. Thanks so much!
Michelle G.
I would not be able to walk my daughter’s dog if it weren’t for this leash!!
My other daughter recommended it to me because she uses it for her dog in NYC. I ordered the mini for one of my small Chihuahuas, but then I realized when I walk my daughters dog I needed to use it on her more than my Chihuahua so I’m gonna be ordering another one that’s gonna fit the bigger dog much better and I am so looking forward to it. I cannot believe how amazing this product is and what difference it makes because otherwise this dog is so huge and he pulls me constantly, and he has even pulled me to the ground before, but with this leash that does not happen at all!!!
Eric S.
This leash is such a brilliant tool and my puppy started walking flawlessly almost instantaneously. I bought this along with the book How to be Your Dog’s Hero and Heather knows her stuff. So much more beyond teaching a dog to shake or roll over, she teaches you how to communicate with your dog and what they need to make the relationship with your dog a good one. Very thankful for the tools and resources and the relationship with my pup has already been very rewarding and fulfilling. Thank you K9 Lifeline in Draper!
Anthony L.
I was having an extremely frustrating time when I would walk my dog because she would pull. the pulling was creating a problem for my safety let alone my frustration.
I started using the sidekick lease to implement my dog trainer's instructions and was surprised at the results.
The sidekick allowed my to have better control Now my dog walks peacefully and I am now in control of the walk.
I high endorse this product as evidenced by the success that I experienced.
Kim M.
Love this leash! My daughter recommended this brand to me as the best and it really is. I saw immediate results and love taking my dog for daily walks again! We can also go in stores and she is so well behaved.
Whitney j.
My basenji has been a brat lately and this has helped a bunch keeping him on task.
Laura H.
Our young dog has a high prey drive and is reactive to some dogs, not all. He attends dog daycare and we worked with their trainer on these issues. The first thing she recommended was the Heather’s Heroes lead. Our dog was pulling during walks and the minute she put the Heather’s Heroes leash on him it was like a switch was turned on. She showed us how to properly put it on our dog and how to use it. Our dog has been walking beautifully ever since, when using this leash. His reactivity has gotten better and he responds well to corrections with the leash. We love this leash ❤️.
Glynis F.
My girl, Nora, is a Pittie mix. She’s such a love, but she’s 52 pounds of muscle, very strong, & the harness I’d used on my other dog wasn’t cutting it. My trainer told me about The Sidekick, so I ordered one. Wow! What a difference! Nora is much easier to handle, & another benefit is that I can also give her treats as we work on training during our walks. If you ride horses, the Sidekick is like a hackamore for dogs.
I highly recommend, & have done so for several friends!
Glyni Fenn
Damien
We have two, one for our lab and one for our pittie lab mix. These leashes are life savers for dogs the have a pulling problems!
Kelly S.
I have tried so many different harnesses and leads for my dog, Charlie, who is a strong puller. Either none of them did the trick and/or he absolutely hated wearing it.
My dog trainer recommended the Sidekick, and it has been a game changer. With additional training for him to focus on me, he now does very well on his walks, and I always use the Sidekick now. It's also more comfortable for him so he doesn't run away when I put it on him (like he did with all the other leads). It's also easy to put on him. Our trainer just showed us once and then it clicked.
I am very, very pleased with the Sidekick and that is really saying something because I avoided face leads at all costs before since Charlie hated them so much and/or they didn't work. I am so much more confident now walking him, and he is so much better at walking and enjoying our walks together more.
Gina W.
Instantly fixed our pulling issue! This product is amazing & easy to use. I now enjoy walking our dog. He is an American bulldog & would pull very hard . Now we both enjoy our little walks & feel more confident.
Jordan B.
We absolutely love it! I’m training my dog to be a service dog and it’s made it so much easier!
Krystal I.
I really like the way the sidekick works for the dogs. It provides for a much better experience for the dogs that most of the other head halters on the market. I notice that my training dogs acclimate so much faster to the sidekick. I feel very secure using it especially because it has a build in back up that attaches to the dog's flat collar.
I had a small issue with the shipping but they were quick to reply and took care of everything. Highly recommend the Sidekick.
Chris K.
This leash is a miracle. I have a 3 year old crazy golden doodle. Taking him for a walk was torture. He pulled so bad he almost pulled me over numerous times and I am not a lightweight. This leash has made him walk with me by my side no pulling and no dislocated shoulders. We will now be able to take him places like the park and enjoy it. Thank you thank you for your amazing creation!
Caroline F.
I had to go to the post office and pay an additional $4.00 because of a required delivery payment
Kerri B.
Great product!
Michael J.
Repeat customer. Great product, great service. Why wouldn’t I?
Laura F.
The metal clip tooo big for small dog use! The cord slips around- doesn’t stay in place. I see benefit of designs cuz we did get results but not for $48!!
Simple material, smart design big mark up!
Erin D.
Love it! Great for training my large shepherd pup
Bette K.
My dog got in a bad habit of barking and lunging at some other dogs. This has seems to have solved the problem. I love walking with him so it is great for me. He doesn't really like having the restraint on his nose, but he loves the walk.
Megan D.
My dog Blaze responds very quickly when using the leash. I feel like it is a great product. Even thinking about buying a second leash!
Allie
This item works great for our big enthusiastic dog.
Syna B.
I like the leash, and it is more comfortable than the Gentle Leader. However, after only a few times use, the leash material has pulled, and it's now more difficult to get the clip over the pulled areas.
mary a.
I would like the leash to be about a foot longer.
Serena B.
my dog does amazing
Colleen
We’re very happy with the quality of the leash. We had purchased similar leash from a chain pet store and the leather push down portion started splitting after only a few weeks. The locking mechanism on Tge Sidekick is a VAST improvement to a flimsy leather strap. There was not the safety clasp on other leash in the case of the leash slipping over their head like The Sidekick has. The extra clasp is comforting as the other leash had slipped over our dogs neck a few times. Thank you making a great product.
Kendall A.
This leash has been perfect! Our dog, Cooper, walks so much better with this leash and I also love how versatile it is.
randi m.
I love it but my dog is still adjusting to it. He's not crazy about it, but he needed it due to the fact that he was always pulling in the opposite direction. He still tries, but at least he can't with it on, thankfully!
Bradley W.
Loving this leash system. It is absolutely making a difference with my dog who happens to have some pulling issues and tends to be a bit protective on walks. I’m definitely going to order another one for my second dog, and one for my partner’s dog! 10/10
Wendy B.
I love this leash. I have been using it for 7 years. They are great because it is one piece and you can put it on easily. It is very sturdy and keeps a close fit on the dog's head. I refer my clients all the time to purchase Heather's Heroes.
Rosanne R.
Like this product
Yvette
It’s been two weeks since I’ve ordered and so far it’s going good. Dog holds back a lot now when wanting to run towards the squirrels or wants move in faster pace than me. lol love the color and it is sturdy.
Robyn
I have better control when walking my dog
Charlie A.
I like the idea of the lead and the sturdiness of the material it is made of. Two things I would suggest for future improvements or versions of the leash. 1) add a double handle further down the leash so I do not have to wrap the extra leash length around my hand. Also helps me control my very large dog better. 2) add longer length options. I like to keep my dog on the leash when we get where we are going, but allow her to have a little roaming length on the leash to get up from me a little.
Kim R.
Horrible customer service. Product took weeks to get and order was just “missed” apparently. I love to shop non-Amazon, small businesses, but this left such a bad taste in my mouth. My trainer who recommended we buy this product was so disappointed in how the purchase went he said he will never recommend it again.
James M.
I had to hold on to my dog’s leash (attached to a harness) with both hands he pulled so hard. I put this on him and he’s a different dog! He walks by my side and it’s obviously more pleasurable for him as it is for me. No training - it just happened! Recommend highly!
Annette B.
Our dogs are real pullers and had pulled me over and I hit the ground 3 times. They don't pull all the time with these leashes. They have pulled a couple of times, mostly when other dogs are around. They don't care for the leashes, but are getting used to them. Biggest plus to me is I feel more secure when walking them.
Beatrix W.
My dog is reactive. I tried everything…. Every collar and leash you can find on the market . This is the best . It gives me total control. My dog walks nicely next to me and responds so well to it . I love it and recommend it highly.
Dianne F.
Very difficult to put on my dog, and without any padding the leash hurts my hands.
Jay R.
This is our second sidekick and we love the effect it has on our very nervous American Foxhound rescue. The only problem we have had is with the stop. The stop failed to release cleanly after about three months of use.
Maria W.
My friend had bought the original one and the quality just isn’t the same. My replacement started unraveling the first time we used it. We absolutely love the concept but the quality just isn’t the same.
Emily W.
Great customer service!
KARA JOAN K.
My dog is a puller, even after months of training. This leash enables us to go on much longer walks without all the strain on my shoulder, or on my dog's neck. He doesn't like having it on, but he loves being able to walk more.
Anne C.
Bought this on the recommendation by a trainer. Great quality- soft on the dogs nose and the humans hand. Worked beautifully! Definitely recommend!
Jillian B.
love this product! with the proper training and usage it makes a great tool!
Doris P.
Great product! Thanks so much!
Kate L.
This lease is magical for control (and kindness) with my adopted dog. We are both so happy while on walks now!
Christie O.
High quality and secure. We've only used this brand of leash for 5+ years now for our anxious dog, and it's so wonderful for him and us.
Maria W.
I honestly love the concept of this leash. My friend has had one for years with no problem. I’m not sure if the material that is being used is a different quality, but even when we received the replacement the braiding was already undoing itself and the safety connector was almost broken through. I feel that the leash is very helpful especially with big dogs I just wish the quality was there. I kept the second one because I just didn’t want to say anything a second time.
Rebecca P.
Thanks!
KELLY L.
This is a game changer when it comes to dogs that like to pull on leash. It is truly a pleasure to walk my dog with the sidekick on. I love this product. I have now purchased 4 of them for all of my dogs. I even recommended this product to my son for his golden retriever. I can not speak highly enough about this product as it has really changed walking my dogs!
Melissa H.
This tool is a game changer ! I use it with all my clients. Easy to use and effective.
Joni N.
I’ve tired several leashes and harnesses with my anxious little guy to help us have a good walk, so I was skeptical when I ordered the Sidekick, but it has absolutely lived up to its claims. I am better able to safely communicate with my boy, and it’s easier for me to get his focus back if he does see something that makes him lunge or bark. I’m enormously impressed and grateful to have enjoyable walks back!
Jacqueline C.
I have an itty bitty dog and finding a harness that works on her has been hard. This one works great and helps me control the mighty beast!
Bonnie R.
Very helpful product and terrific customer service
Heather M.
One of my dogs was a puller and the other would eat random things off the ground when we went on walks. This leash has eliminated both behaviors. They both walk calmly by my side now. I barely even need to hold the leash they walk so well.
Sarah P.
My dog is not a great leash walker, and the minute I put this one in she became a different dog. No pulling, and I had complete control of her. It is made of quality materials and I like the safety strap.
Sarah P.
I love this leash! I had a different leash very similar to this one and a friend referred me to this brand. And this one is made from superior materials and I really like the safety strap.
Stefan W.
Great customer service and great product. My dog doesn't pull at all using this leash.
a w.
I saw this product on a YouTube video being mentioned by a dog trainer as a tool for training. My pit mix rescue hasn’t been socialized, apparently, so along with basic obedience training I’m getting him out around people and dogs and everything distracting in our downtown area. I’m using the Sidekick as a sort of backup tool when he is so distracted that he isn’t listening to me. I’ve used it on 4 outings over several weeks and it has already improved his responsiveness to me. It’s a very good tool with him. Thanks, Heather’s Heroes!
Pamela M.
Excellent product and very helpful in the training process with my Golden Retriever. Besides the excellent product this company is top notch!! I had an issue with delivery and the company sent me another without question. I did end up receiving the first and contract Heathers Heroes to return but they told me to donate to another pup in need. I would absolutely buy other products from this company. Thank you Heather’s Heroes.
Elizabeth A.
Excellent product. Maggie doesn’t mind wearing the transition leash
Carol B.
I found out about the Side Kick from my trainer. I have three Golden Doodles and walking became very difficult because they all love to pull. Since I have been using the new leashes, it is a pleasure to take the three girls for a walk. I take them all separately but I might be able to walk all three at once with these great leashes! It has been a life saver for me because I have shoulder damage and now the girls don't get the chance to pull. Thank you so much for your great design!
Angela P.
I volunteer at the Palm Springs Animal Shelter and love heathers hero’s.
Heather J.
Walking my pup on a normal leash she pulls and is all over the place, with this leash she is right by my side and a total difference! It’s amazing!!
Karen G.
Rope portion over nose is easily snagged by dog trying to paw at it. The rope weave has come loose where it goes over the nose. Might use a tighter woven rope so it doesn’t come apart.
Jessica O.
Great leash! High quality material, easy to use.
Anna H.
I work with adoptable dogs and at my work we have a dog who is incredibly sweet but has issues with getting too excited and having trouble controlling herself around people. I bought the sidekick to train her and help to calm her down, because of the sidekick I can now safely take her places and her energy levels while on the leash has improved greatly! Would definitely buy again! Thank you Heather’s Heros!
Pam L.
I got this 16 month old, 160lb great Dane in for training. Biggest issue? You guessed it, leash pulling and reactivity on walks! I went thrift every other tool in my toolbox before I bit the bullet and purchased the side kick leash. I've had my eye on it for a while but needed a dog that i KNEW nothing else was going to work long term. The moment that leash was on, he was calmer. Attentive to me, and needed very subtle communication with it. Perfect tool for my older clients who owned him. Doesn't require a lot of techniques to operate it effectively. I will be ordering more, one for my personal dog. The only recommendation I have is to allow for the option of an adjustable handle to allow for a longer leash. This guy was big, so if I wanted to allow him to sniff and explore, he couldn't really go far before he was at the end of the leash. Other than that, the quality of the leash was great! Soft,flexible, nice leash.
Margaret M.
I had a different gentle leader which provided some control but not enough. A friend recommended Heather's Heroes and it has made all the difference.
James M.
Makes walking the dog much easier.
Lillian H.
We purchased the leads with the recommendation of our dog trainer. At first, the dogs were not big fans but with some treats and praise, they got used to them. The leads are a game changer and I’m able to walk two big dogs alone without struggling. My son who’s 14 can also walk both by himself.
Michele D.
The sidekick is a great training collar. I like that it can be used as a slip collar and a gentle leader type leash, and even if my dog pulls off the nose piece, he is always connected in some way.
The only problem I have is getting it on my dog. Wish it was easier to do. Hopefully in time, it will get easier.
My dog walks really well with it on. Much better than a harness which he could pull out of.
The sidekick works!!
Jillian B.
fantastic product!
Tiffany C.
My aunt showed me this product with her dog and I just thought “well her dog is more behaved than mine”, but I was WRONG! This made such a difference while going on walks with my dog. She still tries to paw it off when I first put it on, but she is so calm when it is on and doesn’t pull AT ALL. I used it as a slip leash to walk out of the house and she pulled all the way to our driveway. Then I put it over her muzzle and she instantly stopped pulling! I am considering getting a second to keep in our camper. People often mistake it for a muzzle, but I almost enjoy that on walks as people don’t try to pet her or talk to us.
Kerry M.
Absolutely love these . I use in 3 different organizations I’m involved in!!!!
Olivia B.
I LOVE these leashes. This is my 3rd! This is not because they break down, but because I love having one in reach EVERYWHERE. It keeps my pet under complete control, but also allows me to convert it to a normal leash whenever he is relaxed. I have tied knots down it as places to hold in addition to it's appropriate length! Can't speak more highly! Every pet owner should have one!
Kathleen G.
While working with a difficult dog, I discovered the Sidekick while viewing some videos on FB. I decided it is worth the try and it worked wonderfully. I also do volunteer at a local shelter and I am sure it would be very helpful on some dogs there as well! Thank you!!
Jenny W.
I absolutely love the sidekick. We recently adopted a puppy and leash training was something that we were very concerned about since our puppy is very active and always excited to greet new people and other dogs. We wanted to make sure that our walks were structured and that we could easily redirect her if needed. We've seen these transitional leashes before and although it may look bad, these are excellent leashes for puppies and adult dogs alike. The sidekick is easy to use and has helped make our walks more easygoing and structured. We've really enjoyed using this. The quality is great as well - you can tell that the leash is well-made! This is definitely worth the purchase!
Debbi M.
Love love love!!
Victoria A.
I love Heather's Heroes "Sidekick" leash. Our dog is a "puller" and we struggled to walk him. I purchased the sidekick and it has made all the difference - walking now is pleasurable instead of a struggle. Love it :-)
Magdaline O.
I bought the mini and regular sidekick, both are fantastic. I use one on my border collie and one for my pit. They both walk so nicely on these leashes. I love that for my border collie I can easily switch to a slip lead once we enter the agility ring. The collar attachment also gives me a bigger peace of mind. I've already recommended the sidekick to a few friends
Victor G.
This is my third of the same item and the quality of the rope seems less than the first two
Earlene F.
There was a glitch in receiving my Sidekick but when I called I got a very helpful courteous young lady that took care of the problem. She made it more than right and handled the problem right away. It is rare to get the kind of service this company gave me in todays world. The sidekick works the best of the three collars I own for my dog. The quality is excellent. I have a 70 pound rescue Rhodesian Ridgeback/German Shepherd and this collar has been the best one I found for training him. I thank the young lady that helped me and highly recommend the company.
Jennifer R.
This works so well for my dog. Would recommend!
Renee B.
Wonderful tool for our young hound girl. An immediate turnaround to her overly enthusiastic behavior on leash.
Linda T.
This is my second purchase of the sidekick. The first one is over two years old and still in perfect condition. It was originally recommended by our trainer when my Border Collie was just a puppy. It took a while to convince her to wear it, but now we use it daily for her walks and training. The control and security I feel is unbeatable. We've tried other headcollars, but none compared to the quality and comfort you get with the sidekick. People comment all the time on how well behaved my dog is in public situations, but I have to tell them I owe it all to the sidekick.
Alixandra R.
Great leashes!
Colleen F.
I experienced Great customer service with Heathers Heroes!
The sidekick is a beautiful sturdy yet soft comfortable product. I love having all the options with this leash. The security of clipping to my dog's collar gives me added comfort as she is a young, anxious, and super energetic Aussie rescue dog off the streets.
My dog responded immediately when I first used the slip leash by itself. It took little effort or pressure from the leash or me and that was Amazing as she is very strong and wild! She never resists even when I use the head halter with the slip leash and clipped to the collar all together.
It is a great tool that I feel helps her and me to relax and become calmer and more organized. It also helps facilitate a deeper relationship for us.
I am so grateful! Coe
Jennifer H.
My pitty mix is 7 and a 5 month old puppy (maybe pitty/rottie mix) just joined us. To say that walks got enthusiastic is putting it mildly. A friend recommended the Sidekick and the older dog has walked just at my side since the first day and the puppy knows the difference between when she’s wearing the Sidekick (all walks and when in public always polite and well behaved) vs a normal leash attached to her collar for potty trips.
I’ve recommended the sidekick whenever anyone tells me their dog is misbehaving on a walk. I can’t say enough wonderful things about Heather and her crew!
Maggie C.
We ordered a sidekick and used it twice and it started to unravel. We contacted the company and they replaced it at no cost to us.
Rosa C.
Game changer for my giant schnoodle.