Larzpetgear.com Dog Leash, collars, harnesses and other Pet Gear Products:

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MEET CRAIG, our designer

Watch this little video and meet the designer of all of the Larz Pet Gear products.  He shares with you his experience as an impact injury specialist and what inspired him to create the only effective, pain-free training and walking leashes, harnesses, collars, and hands-free systems available today!

FAMILY-OWNED Dog Leash, Harness, Collar and other pet gear BUSINESS

Larz Pet Gear is a family owned business in San Diego, CA.  We hand-make all of our dog leash and restraint products right here in the USA with only the highest quality materials and hardware. 

We, like you, love dogs!  We grew up with dogs and have always considered them family members.  We know how important they are to you and you are to them.  As with any family member, you want a relationship and experience with your dog that is healthy, happy, and joyful for both of you.  

Walking the dog  There is almost nothing that is more exciting for your dog/s than going on a walk with you!  Many dogs know those magical words "walk", "park", or "leash" and run for the door just hearing them.  Often, though, what should be a fun time together, is really a pretty frustrating, even painful, experience for both of you.

Your dog, bred for literally thousands of years to hunt, protect, herd, retrieve, chase, and find, is compelled by his/her instincts to quickly explore and investigate his/her environtment. 

You, on the other hand, are compelled by leash laws to walk him/her on leash and you want to control your dog. You want him/her to walk at your pace without pulling or lunging.

Often these competing interests turn your walks together into a contest of wills, punctuated by coughing, choking, and strangling on your dog's part and hand, arm, shoulder, neck, and spine strain on yours. 

This photo graphically shows the impact on your dog's body and you can just imagine how the person trying to hold him must feel!  Obviously, this isn’t fun, comfortable, or healthy for either the dog or the person walking the dog!

Why we developed the LARZ line of products

Our designer, an impact injury specialist, experienced this himself when he agreed to walk his girlfriend's miniature schnauzer, Max.  Craig had grown up with dogs, but long before leash laws, and our dogs ran free, so this was really the first time he had walked a dog on leash.  He was shocked.  This very strong, very energetic little dog pulled the entire time. 

• Max pulled so hard that he choked and then he pulled some more. 

• Craig felt like his shoulder was getting pulled out of its socket, the leash handle bit into his hand, and, no matter what he did, Max just kept pulling.

• Craig felt terrible and decided to buy a leash and collar that would control Max without hurting him.

• He also needed products that would relieve the strain on his own body while still giving him the control he wanted and helping him train Max to stop pulling.

We tried everything!

Due to his experience as a ski patrolman and an Emergency Medical Technician, Craig had developed expertise in impact injury and knew exactly what would resolve the problem. He thought that he would easily find appropriately designed leashes, collars, and harnesses at any pet store.  Craig was wrong. Much to his surprise, he found that regular old dog leashes and collars haven’t changed much in all of the thousands of years we have had dogs in our lives.  The first leashes and collars were basically ropes tried around the dog’s neck and looped around the walker’s hand.Today’s version of these products are, functionally, basically the same – they are just prettier.

When he looked for training collars, he found pinch and choke collars, as well as nose and body harnesses all of which he tried, but concluded that there must be a way to leash and train dogs without causing them pain. 

Harnesses, he thought, must be the answer and off he went in search of the perfect harness.  Craig tried everything and none were really right.  All of them, by squeezing ribs, rubbing under the front legs, twisting, etc - used pain and discomfort to control dogs. 

Frustrated and concerned about the well-being of dogs and families everywhere, Craig decided to design his own line. His goal was to create leashes, harnesses, and collars that would protect and promote the health and comfort of dogs and humans.  He wanted to make sure that the line would give any person, no matter their size or strength, the control they needed to comfortably and safely walk any dog, no matter that dog’s size, strength, breed, or leash behavior.  Craig knew exactly what he needed to do and, after many years of consultation, research and trial and error, he succeeded!  Larz Pet Gear leashes, collars, harnesses, and hands-free systems are highly effective walking and training tools - and they are comfortable for both you and your dog/s (up to 6)!  No pain, no injury - just fun, happy, healthy walking, jogging, running, hiking, etc, together!

The Larz Pet Gear Team

Now the whole Larsen family is involved in one way or another!  Debbie Larsen, Craig's sister, is the CEO, bringing to Larz Pet Gear her extensive executive experience in the corporate world. Craig's daughter, Lindsey, participates in design and runs our production operation.  Brother Brent brings his expertise in customer service and web site development and his daughter, Dana, a film student, is our photographer and videographer. Our youngest sibling, Karen, offers her aesthetic eye and design ideas.  We have also recently added an external partner, Harrison Turner, as our Chief Operating Operator.  Harrison is highly experienced in marketing, business development, public relations, efficiency, and organizing for success. We all work together to bring you the best, most comfortable and effective dog leashes, collars, harnesses, and hands-free systems available today.