SubscribeDoes The Barkly Personal Alarm Dog Leash Perform and Protect? Here’s Our Honest Review
The Barkly Leash is a dual-purpose retractable personal alarm dog leash, featuring a built-in 130 dB alarm and LED strobe light to deter attackers.
When it comes to walking your dog, safety should go hand in hand with comfort. After all, studies show that the average pet dog goes on walks at least nine times a week, with each walk lasting around 34 minutes over two miles. That’s a lot of steps for you and your dog. Pet parents should feel confident and safe when walking their dogs, but the world can be a scary place. Enter the personal alarm dog leash.
From poorly lit paths to unpredictable encounters with people or animals, walking safety has become an increasingly important concern. Dr. Holly Jordan, DVM, and co-founder Drew Evenson sought to create a product that is as beautiful as it is functional for dog walking safety. Recognizing the need for enhanced personal safety and improved walking functionality, the duo created the Barkly Leash.
I’ve worked in the pet industry for close to two decades, and I’ve been a dog mama my entire life. I know a thing or two about leashes, safety, and being aware while on walks. So when I was offered the opportunity to try this personal alarm dog leash with my Cocker Spaniel, curiosity got the best of me. If you’re anything like me, peace of mind matters just as much as control and comfort when you’re out exploring the world with your canine best friend.
In this review, we’ll explore how the Barkly Leash performs in real-world use, from its alarm system and overall comfort to its ease of operation and value for the price. Whether you prefer solo walks, evening strolls, or just want to feel safer, this in-depth look will help you decide if Barkly’s innovation deserves a place in your daily routine.
Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care
Don’t Guess When It Comes To Your Pet’s Care
What is the Barkly Leash with Safety Alarm?
Designed as a dual-purpose tool, the Barkly Leash is a dependable retractable leash and personal safety device for the pet parent. I don’t like carrying a ton of things on dog walks, which is why I appreciate the fully-loaded safety features of the Barkly.
Key features of the Barkly include:
- A built-in personal safety alarm to deter attackers and alert others
- A loud arm touted as a “130 dB siren” – which is the equivalent of an ambulance whizzing by while you are out on a walk.
- A flashing LED strobe light located on the side of the leash
- A recessed panic button is built into the handle for easy activation
- Multiple color options (we tested the lilac)
- An ergonomic handle design for ease and comfort
- It comes with CR2025 batteries, which are totally replaceable
Fun fact: The founders indicate the Barkly alarm can be heard up to 1,800 feet away, so anyone within that vicinity will hear it.
Barkly knows that not all dogs are the same, so they ensured their dog leash with a safety alarm, and so much more is available in multiple sizes:
- Extra small dog (1 to 10 pounds)
- Small dog (10 to 30 pounds)
- Medium dog (30 to 60 pounds)
- Large dog (60 to 100 pounds)
With its modern styling, ergonomic design, and heavy-duty construction, I was eager to put the Barkly Leash to the test in real-life situations and walks with Sir Alvin, my dog, and see how he reacted to the on-board alarm.
A Closer Look at the Barkly personal alarm dog leash: Our First-Hand Review
Right out of the box, the Barkly Leash is ready to go; no parts to put together, no batteries to insert, and no hefty instruction manuals. Busy pet parents will appreciate the ease of use, the simple packaging, and the smooth feel of the Barkly.
Ease of Use
If you’ve ever used a retractable leash, you know they sometimes can be bulky, uncomfortable, and not designed with ergonomics and pet parent ease in mind. Fortunately, the Barkly features a comfortable grip that feels secure in your hand. I was able to operate the one-handed breaking and locking mechanism easily, so my dog had just the amount of leash slack on walks.
Alarm and Strobe Light
I was a bit apprehensive about this because some dogs are not fond of loud sounds or sirens. I’ve shared life with several Cocker Spaniels who freaked out at the sound of fire trucks or police sirens. Cocker Spaniels tend to be sensitive anyway, plus a dog’s hearing is much more astute and sensitive than a human’s.
I’m happy to report that the alarm sound didn’t startle my dog, and he tolerated it for a few seconds before I turned it off, as you can see in this video:
Regarding the LED strobe light, we love this feature, as it lights our path and gives me great comfort at night. It was also useful for finding the exact spot where my dog pooped so I could clean it up and bag it. However, pressing and holding the recessed panic button activates both the siren and the light, so you can’t use the light alone. I’d love to have that feature available in a future iteration of the Barkly.
My Dog’s Response
To turn off the strobe light and alarm, you press the same panic button again (a single press) to deactivate.
When I first tested the alarm feature with my Cocker Spaniel, Sir Alvin, his reaction was about what I expected: curious but cautious. He wasn’t exactly thrilled by the sharp sound, but he also didn’t panic or become fearful. After the initial surprise, he quickly settled and went back to his usual self. It’s not a feature I’d ever use casually, but in a true emergency, I have no doubt he’d recover quickly once the noise stopped. It’s reassuring to know the option is there if we ever need it.
Durability and Weather
As I reviewed the Barkly, we encountered a mix of warm and rainy days, as well as a foggy morning, here in the northeastern part of the United States. I’m a bit of a helicopter dog mom who also prides herself on keeping my dog’s tools and supplies clean, as this is important to me. I used the Barkly twice a day: for our morning walk and for our final walk of the evening around the neighborhood.
The unit is touted as quality and durable, with a comfortable, anti-slip grip, which I can attest to. There is no guarantee or rating about waterproofing, water resistance, or dropping in a puddle of mud, as life happens. After several weeks of use and varying weather conditions, the Barkly showed no signs of degrading, scratches, or wear on the retractable mechanism.
Is the Barkly personal alarm dog leash Safe & Effective?
My favorite feature of the Barkly Leash is its 130 dB alarm, which I would totally use in an emergency. We travel with our dog, so having this feature available at night in hotel parking lots or on trails is essential for anyone with a dog.
You’ll need to gauge your own dog’s reaction to the sound, as some dogs may be distressed or startled, while others, like Sir Alvin, won’t care at all. For personal safety, the combination of a loud alarm and visible strobe light creates a multi-sensory deterrent that can be effective in many situations, though no device is a complete substitute for awareness and caution.
Personally, I don’t think the alarm is too loud. It is just enough to call attention and scare an intruder away. If you live in a remote area or take night walks, then this feature will give you great comfort, as it does for me.
If you have a dog that tends to pull strongly or is prone to bolting, a retractable leash may not provide the control and security you need, especially when compared to a standard fixed-length leash. Anyone who’s used a retractable leash knows they are awesome for giving the dog freedom of movement with an adjustable length.
However, a flexible, retractable leash has its downsides, too, including:
- Not ideal for dogs who pull
- Dangers in or around traffic, as the extended leash can get caught or tangled
For my usage and safety concerns, and because my dog doesn’t pull, I felt safe using this personal alarm dog leash around our neighborhood for twice-daily walks.
Where to Buy & Pricing
The Barkly Leash is available for purchase directly through Barkly’s official website and on Amazon, making it easy to order and typically ensuring you’re getting an authentic product.
The pricing is $49.99, though sales and promotional offers may be available, so double-check that when ordering.
When considering whether this price is justified, it’s helpful to compare it to alternatives: a quality standard retractable leash typically costs $20 to $35, while a dedicated personal safety alarm might run $15 to $40 separately. The Barkly Leash consolidates these into one device, offering great value if you regularly use both features. However, if you’re primarily looking for a basic leash and only occasionally need a safety alarm, a standard leash paired with a separate alarm device might be more cost-effective.
Notably, I discussed the Barkly with several dog-loving friends, explaining its purpose and asking if they would consider buying one. At least 80 percent of them said they would use Barkly and appreciated its features. The ones who weren’t interested in trying it balked at the retractable leash and the inability to use the strobe light feature on its own.
Final Verdict: Is the Barkly Leash Worth It?
The Barkly Leash’s all-in-one design for pet parents who desire control and personal safety makes it a standout product. The 130 dB alarm with flashing strobe light provided me a genuine sense of security, especially when walking my dog alone at night. Bad things can and do happen even in the safest of neighborhoods.
When I tested the retractability of the 14-foot leash, it performed smoothly without any issues. My wrists often feel fatigued by the end of the day from typing, so I appreciated the comfort of the ergonomic handle. I never felt like it weighed me down or was hard to control.
As for dogs’ reactions, the alarm’s sound is understandably loud, as it’s designed for emergencies, but not necessarily distressing. My own Cocker Spaniel wasn’t thrilled by it, but he didn’t panic either. In a dire emergency, the deterrent’s benefit far outweighs the brief advantage of surprise.
Personally, I’d recommend this leash for those who value an added sense of security and want to invest in gear that supports both their dog’s safety and their own, especially dog moms. I wouldn’t use it for every quick outing, but for solo walks, travel, or unfamiliar areas, it’s a reliable piece of dog gear. It also makes a thoughtful, practical gift for friends or family members who walk their dogs regularly and would appreciate an extra layer of confidence with each walk. Here’s to happy and safe trails!
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