When it comes to taking care of your dog, there are many tools and resources that can come in handy. There are collars, stuffed toys, blankets, pillows, and much more to make it easier to take care of your pet. A leash is also at the top of that list for things you’ll need to raise your dog well.
But what if you don’t have a dog yet? Well, you still may be able to trick people into thinking you have a dog if you have the right tools like a leash. The latest is trend is having an invisible dog leash.
At first, this phrase may come as quite the head-scratcher. How can you have a dog leash without a dog? And what actually is attached to the leash if there is no dog involved?
To help solve this mystery of the invisible dog leash, here we share what it is and what can be so fun about them. We’ll also share ways to create your own fake dog leash that is perfect as a comedic toy or gag gift. While these toys may not be as popular as they once were, they are still able to bring delight and laughter to others.
Grab your invisible dog, and let’s get them on a leash!
What is an Invisible Dog Leash?
The invisible dog leash was developed and became largely popular as a toy in the 1970s and 1980s. It’s a hardened rope that you would hold out in front of you and pretend that you are walking a dog. At the base of the rope is a collar or harness, like the one you might put around a dog. Typically, they are about 4-5 feet in length, as a typical leash might be.
The catch to these invisible dog walking leashes is that there was no dog involved in the setup. There was a leash, but the harness at the base is empty. It was intended to be a funny joke to get people to laugh or scratch their heads, thinking that there was something off in this dog leash.
They’re a great visual prank that brings laughter and amusement for both the leash holder and those who pass by. People could take these leashes out on the street, pretending as if they were taking their dog for a walk. In reality, they were just holding a hardened rope and harness out in front of them, giving the illusion of taking their dog out for a stroll.
These invisible dog leashes were highly popular as gag gifts. At first glance, you might think it is a nice leash for a dog owner. However, if someone without a dog receives it, then it would lead to laughter and enjoyment of the invisible dog the individual now owned.
People could be seen holding out these leashes, taking their dogs out for a stroll, whether in groups or by themselves. Kids might want to go up and pet a dog, only to realize there was nothing attached to the end of the leash.
While these leashes may not be as commonly seen in today’s communities, they were an intriguing and hilarious joke back in the 1970s and 1980s. These imaginary dog leashes still hold their comedic element that still gets people to scratch their heads and wonder what’s going on in this scenario. Many people may be able to remember these nostalgic childhood memories of when they were kids. Perhaps they even owned one themselves.
How to Make an Invisible Dog Leash?
Back when these invisible dog leashes were highly popular, it could be easy to find these toys and gifts in stores. While you can still find them online and in specialty stores, there are also some easy ways that you can make your own invisible dog leash. Today, you can still find them on Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and other stores.
Whether you’re just curious about what they look like in person or are eager to recreate these childhood memories and bring back the laughter, they can be easy to make an invisible dog leash. All you need is just a few materials to make your invisible dog leash and bring laughter to others.
Materials to make an invisible dog leash:
-
- Thick rope
- A thick wire that is bendable
- Scissors to cut wire
- Dog Collar or Harness
Step 1: Rope that is 1 inch thick
It starts with a rope that will serve as your leash. The trick is to have the rope stay in place, out in front of you, rather than dropping along. To make an invisible dog leash, you’ll need a rope that is about 1 to 1.5 inches in thickness. You’ll want a rope length of at least 5 to 6 feet long.
Step 2: Thick Wire and Thread the Rope
The key to making the rope hardened or stay in place is wire. Thick gauge wire can be very effective in keeping the rope out straight in front of you.
Start by threading the wire through the thick rope. Be sure it is thread through straight so that you don’t end up with a bent invisible leash. Once the wire is through the rope, you’ll want to leave a little bit of wire, about 2-3”, hanging out at the end. This excess wire will help in connecting the rope to the harness.
You’ll also need strong scissors to be able to cut the wire to the right lengths.
Step 3: Connect the Harness or Collar
You’ll also need a small harness that is hollow on the inside. While a harness that is made out of rope material will look more seamless attached to the leash rope, a more authentic-looking harness can be more believable in this prank. A hollow material for the harness will make it more lightweight as well as make it easier to weave wire in and through
Then, take the harness that is hollow on the inside and connect it to the rope using the excess wire that you had left out at the end. Then, just as you had done with the rope, thread a new piece of wire through the harness. This may not be as easy to do as the rope, but be sure to weave the wire around and through the front and back straps. Hiding as close as you can to the harness will make it look cleaner and give the illusion that they were actually designed to be attached.
Once you have the wire woven through all the straps, your harness will be able to stay upright connected to the rope. And with that, your leash should be completed. All you need to do next is grab your invisible dog and head out for a walk.
Conclusion for What is an Invisible Dog Leash?
While invisible leashes for dogs may have been most popular in the 1970s and 1980s, the invisible leash prank has the potential to spread joy, laughter, and an occasional head scratch even today. Perhaps these toys were a big part of your childhood. You may have taken your invisible dog out for a walk on a regular basis, or perhaps you’re just learning of what these low-budget but highly entertaining toys are.
In either case, making your own invisible dog leash can be a fun activity and make a great prank or gag gift for someone. Use these invisible dog leashes to bring back the entertainment and joy of taking your invisible dog out for a walk.
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Garrett loves animals and is a huge advocate for all Doodle dog breeds. He owns his own Goldendoodle named Kona. In addition, he volunteers at the Humane Society of Silicon Valley, where he fosters dogs and helps animals. Garrett enjoys writing about Doodles and believes that dogs can teach humans more about how to live than humans can teach a dog.
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