One of the best things we own is a dog trolley system. When we moved into our home a couple years ago and there was an aerial dog run tether already attached to our house. It’s a large 1.5 acre yard, so it makes perfect sense why the previous owners installed one of these trolley systems. The dog trolley allows our pups to run along the tie out cable freely, giving us peace of mind knowing our dogs won’t run off.
If you’re already interested and looking for some pricing or maybe you’re looking for a new dog training tool, here are a few aerial dog runs and “zip line” systems from different stores:
I hadn’t ever seen a dog trolley system before. I wasn’t even aware it was called a dog trolley until the previous owners explained it. The trolley system is made from high quality galvanized steel cable for added durability. You run the heavy duty cable between two posts or trees, like a zip line, creating an overhead tie out cable that allows your dog to run along the trolley system freely. For us, the dog tie out is bolted to an existing post on our front porch, and extends all the way down to a sturdy tree at the end of our property line. Each day, when we put the dogs out, we simply attach two dog leashes that hang off the main tie out cable and let them run free.
Most dog communities praise dog trolleys and claim they’re one of the most humane dog tie out options. These communities usually compare pet supplies and dog training tools, including dog containment systems such as electric fences or those spiral stakes which often see dog leashes getting tangled and shortening the lead line or large dogs ripping them right out of the dirt. Most dog containment systems will vary in pricing, from those cheap in ground stakes to an expensive electric fence. Trolley systems fall somewhere in the middle depending on the amount of tie out cable you need. Keep in mind that some of these pet trolleys take some DIY effort, you may need to climb a ladder and drill a hole or two to set up the tether.
You may think your dog can get whiplash or hurt itself if it tries to run further than the leash connected to the aerial dog run can extend. Luckily, your dog is safe. Most cable runs and trolley systems are built with a sort of “anti-shock” measure. These anti-shock measures include a spring system that acts as a bungee, ensuring the coiled cable absorbs most of the immediate shock. This allows the lead line to give a little when your dog over extends the coiled cable while running, softening the blow just enough to keep your pup from injuring themselves. If you’re worried about your pet trolley systems getting tangled, some pulleys are created with tangle-free technology.
Our two dogs love to run. Well to be honest, our young puppy loves to run. But our senior dog seems to like the little spurts of excitement when the puppy gets the zoomies. Since our older dog is starting to suffer with dementia a bit, this dog trolley allows him to still be outdoors and explore all the smells, without fear of him wandering off.
The dogs love it. The pulley never gets stuck. The cable is strong. It’s a perfect invention!