When I first heard of the Sidekick leash by Heathers Heroes, I was immediately drawn to the innovative design!
I gave the Sidekick Leash a try for my 60 pound high-prey drive pitt-mix, and I was pretty impressed. Now, as a full time dog trainer, I utilize several different tools, including the Heather's Heroes sidekick leash to help dogs and dog owners enjoy life together.
This post is a full review of the Side Kick transition leash. We'll review a few case studies of dogs I've trained. This way, you can make the decision about whether this tool is right for you and your dog!
Heather's Heroes SideKick Review
Heathers Heroes Shark Tank
Heathers Heroes was featured on the tv show The Profit. While the company itself was faulted for the marketing and business model, the training tool itself is not something to be ignored.
Heathers Heroes really got something right with this leash! This leash filled a void in the dog training market for dog's who blew threw a slip leash and harness, but a prong collar was not the right choice either.
The mechanics of the leash are a lot like a horse halter. So, it allows you to control the dog's head and nose more than their neck and back muscles.
This really helps a lot of dogs focus and gives their owners much more control. Especially for large dogs who are in danger of pulling their owner over
Heathers Heroes Discount Code
Use the Heathers Heroes discount code "Alex" on the Heather's Heroes website for 10% off your order!
The Sidekick Transition Leash
Regular Price: $38.99
Discount: Use code "alex" for 10% off
The Side Kick Transition leash is a great option for dog's who pull, react or for owners who can't contend with their dog's strength. You can even customize the handle with the name of your dog!
Heathers Heroes Reviews
My husband was an avid watcher of The Profit, and he bought the leash for me after he saw the episode.
I was excited to try it- but once I had the leash in my hands, I was a little skeptical. (Mostly because I am stubborn and my husband was the one who was coaching ME through something dog-related).
My dog, Razz, was using a gentle leader at the time. I'd tried a prong collar on her, which worked well, but ultimately was not the right choice for her because it made her reactivity worse.
So, the Sidekick leash offered a nice in between of gentle, but firm control.
Nearly immediately after putting the Sidekick Leash on my dog, I felt much better and as though I had clearer communication system between my dog and I.
She was much easier to correct when she started to pull and it was easier to get her attention and focus back if she was reactive.
Transition Leash vs Gentle Leader
The biggest difference between the gentle leader and the SideKick transition leash is that the leash comes out between the dog's ears behind their head, like a regular leash. A gentle leader has the leash come out below their jaw.
Additionally, the infinity loop that separates the collar-part of the leash from the muzzle-part of the leash offers a really smooth, and consistent movement.
Since I was introduced the Sidekick Leash 2 years ago, I've since continued to use it as a slip leash for my dog. After all, the goal of any tool is to not have to use it.
We don't really need the muzzle part of it any more since we've trained a lot on reactivity and utilized other strategies, but I continue to keep the leash in stock for my clients to use.
While most clients do well with a slip leash, some dogs and dog owner combination do best with the transition leash.
Even though we don't use the leash for the part over the nose, it is still my slip leash of choice. The Sidekick has a quality stopper on it that I have yet to see fail. Additionally, the built in safety clip makes it much safer to use.
Heathers Heroes Dog Leash
Things we love:
1) The infinity clip makes for smooth movement and clear communication between you and your dog.
2) The leash comes out behind the ears. This makes transitioning back to a slip leash or regular collar much more possible.
3) The built in safety clip. This isn't something we really need with a slip leash, but dogs can get out of the transition leash if they really want to!
4) Easy transition between the slip leash and over the nose use.
K9 Lifeline Transition Leash
Things we don't love:
1) What the heck is it called?? At the time of this posting it's called the Heathers Heroes SideKick. It's also been called a training leash, training tool, transition leash, and the K9 Lifeline. Is it Side kick? or Sidekick? Even writing this post has been frustrating because I keep accidentally interchanging the name.
2) Lack of education surrounding the leash. This isn't totally the company's fault though. The Profit episode made it look super easy, super quick and skipped the conditioning process. Additionally, so many of my clients will point out that the leash will stop a dog from biting. It will not stop a dog from biting and is not meant to be used as a muzzle.
The leash does come in a package that easily allows people to understand how to put the leash on their dog.
3) Customer service. It just takes forever to get a response from them even with follow up emails. (If you watch the Profit epsiode- you'll get a better understanding of why).
4) It's not right for every dog. No tool is. In my own dog training practice, I've seen dogs take to this like a magic pill! I've had other dogs completely shut down and alligator roll.
5) The colors. While there's five options for colors and the option for customization, so many clients ask for a pink or patterned leash.
Does the Heather's Heroes Sidekick leash work?
Related: Dog Training Essentials | 17 Tools to Improve Your Dog's Behavior
Now, for some case studies for dogs who have done really well with this leash, and dogs who just don't want anything to do with the Sidekick. Side note: just because a dog will do well doesn't mean it's okay to skip the training and conditioning process.
While every dog and dog owner combination is different, I find that there are certain combinations who tend to take to the Sidekick better than others. Ideally, you want to have a good relationship with the dog first, where if they are feeling pressure, they are looking to you in order to relieve the pressure.
If a dog feels pressure but tries to solve the problem on their own by biting the leash, running, freezing, or fighting, it's a good idea to work with a slip leash or an e collar to help modify their anxiety.
Related: How to Use a Slip Leash
Dogs that tend to do well with the Sidekick:
Doodles: pretty much all of them. Doodles carry a certain type of goofy, no-cares-in-the-world-everything-is-a-game energy that is very sensitive to being shut down with too much pressure. And too much pressure for doodles is not a lot of pressure.
So they usually blow right through slip leashes if timing of the handler isn't perfect. However, a prong collar shuts them down really quick (plus, a prong collar gets tangled in all that hair!) So, a transition leash offers the perfect amount of seriousness that helps make doodle energy manageable for their humans.
Large dogs- well, some of them. Dogs who just have way too much strength for their owners tend to accept the leash pretty easily. I've had good experiences with shepherds, great Danes, and even St. Bernards.
Dogs that don't tend to adjust to the transition leash:
Intact males. At least the dominant ones who are quite pushy with their space. These guys will fight and alligator roll and then eventually freeze with the leash over their nose. It's usually best to do some work with giving to pressure using a regular slip leash and perhaps e collar training depending on the dog's behavior.
Pitties- well some of them. This is where personality type really plays into it, and the conditioning process can go a long way. If you introduce the leash too soon, it could make a more negative experience for the dog.
Dog's who haven't heard a lot of the word "no" before. The Sidekick can feel restrictive to some dogs and feeling restraint can lead to a dog fighting more against the pressure.
When in doubt, it's best to consult a professional dog trainer or dog behaviorist who has worked with the Heather's Heroes Sidekick.
Don't have a dog trainer? Schedule a consult now to discuss a custom plan for you and your dog!
