The Original Transitional Leash®
Learn The Sidekick origin story and how it came to be used by dog trainers, shelters, and families all over the world.
What is a transitional lead?
Transitional Leash® was trademarked by Heather Beck in 2019 to identify the product she had created: a head collar that could transition to a slip lead with one motion. Now, the term is used around the world to describe any lead with this function.
Why was it created?
Heather created the Transitional Leash® to solve a problem that many dog owners face every day: dogs that struggle to walk nicely on leash. There were tools to help with pulling, but what about excitement, anxiety, and aggression? She needed something that went beyond just preventing pulling, but actually teaching dogs what behaviors are and are not okay. This tool works with dogs' natural insticts and helps owners to communicate in a way that their dogs understand.
Why did the name change?
In 2021, Heather was on The Profit with Marcus Lemonis on CNBC. Marcus's insight was invaluable, particularly in helping Heather to realize that it was time to rebrand. He was the catalyst for the creation of the Heather's Heroes brand and renaming our signature product to be The Sidekick.
Every Dog's Hero
The Sidekick is now used around the world, saving more lives every day.
How do I know if this is the right tool for my dog?
There are lots of training tools out there promising results, so how do you choose the right one? It's important to understand your dog's needs, your goals, and how to be the hero that your dog knows you are. Here are some things to look for in a training tool.
Designed for Fit and Comfort
Most tools are so focused on distracting your dog, that they don't consider the comfort of your dog in the design. An effective training tool will be gentle and effective without forcing your dog to move a certain way.
Reward Good Behavior
If your dog is never rewarded for good behavior, then why would they choose to behave? Most head collars are fitted tightly, so even when your dog is walking nicely, they feel pressure. A good training tool should release pressure when your dog changes behavior.
Prioritize Safety
Taking dogs on walks and to other uncontrolled environments has inherent risk. Be sure the leash has safety redundancy. Look for tools that clip directly to your dog's collar. This ensures if your pup slips their head collar or lead, they will still be attached to you and won't take off down the road.
