For not much cash and bits and pieces from the hardware store you can make your own custom dog lead for either one or two dogs in very little time.

Step 1: Parts:

You will need some rope. I used braided nylon rope that was about a half inch in diameter. I suggest you buy 50 or 100 feet. You will always need rope.

For making two leads you will need five (5) rope clamps, pictured separately for clarity. It's hard to tell what they look like in the group pic.

You will also need a swivel piece.

One carabiner. I have two pictured but you only need one.

And finally you will need two swivel clamps.

NOTE:

There are different finishes for the hardware and I choose nickel plated. They should last a really long time without corroding.

Rope is a personal preference. I have seen this done with cotton rope that the person had dyed.

Step 2: Tools

You will need a measuring tool like a tape measure.

A cutting tool for the rope.

A clamping tool for clamping down the wings of the rope clamps.

A banging tool for mashing the clamp metal down. Hard.

A burning tool for sealing the ends of the nylon rope, if you decided to use nylon rope.

Step 3: Bonus

I decided to make a handle out of one inch schedule 40 PVC and wrapped it in carbon fiber vinyl.

If you would like to do the same you will also need:

One inch schedule 40 PVC in a piece long enough to be just a little longer than your hand grip.

A something to cut the PVC with. Ideally a PVC cutting tool.

Sandpaper of either 80,100, or 200 grit.

And something to cover or decorate the PVC. I had some left over carbon fiber designed vinyl.

Step 4: Cut Your Rope.

I have an 18 lb dog and a 30 lb dog so I figured about 6 feet of lead was enough for me. I added 8 inches for a total of 6 feet 8 inches of rope per lead.

Cut two of these.

Step 5: Burninating

Use your burning tool to melt the ends of the nylon rope. DO NO DO THIS WITH COTTON ROPE!

This will keep the rope from separating.

Step 6: Rope Clamp

On one end of one of your ropes pass the rope through the hole of the swivel clip and fold it so it fits in the clamp like in the first picture. Don't leave too much of the rope end past the clamp before you start squishing.

Use your clamping tool to clamp the tabs over the rope.

Step 7: Bang

Use your banging tool (3 lb mallet in my case) to bang the clamp kinda flat. Not too flat but flat enough to keep the rope in place.

Step 8: Handle

On the other end of the rope loop the rope over to create a loop large enough for you to use as a hand grip. That way you can use this lead on its own or together with the other lead.

Use the rope clamp and the clamping/banging method from the previous step to secure the clamp onto the rope.

Step 9: Cut and Burn

Not necessary but I used a cutting tool to cut the ends of the rope flush with the clamp and then used the burning tool to melt the end together.

Step 10: Repeat

Use the second piece of rope you cut and make a second lead.

Step 11: Make a Handle

Cut the PVC to a length a little longer than what your grip on the pipe is.

Sand the edge off of the inside of the pipe using 80, 100, or 200 grit sandpaper.

Cut a piece of rope about 1.5 feet long. The rope has to go through the handle and still have a bit extra.

Pass the rope through the PVC and through one of the rings of the double swivel piece.

Use the rope clamp to secure the rope loop. This time the rope won't be folded back on itself, but the ends will be parallel to each other. (not pictured)

Clamp.

Bang.