WAW Basic Anti-Shock

The WAW bungee piece protects both the dog and the handler from jerk and recoil injuries while still allowing good control over the dog. Once you try it, you probably won’t want to go outdoors without it!

The WAW bungee piece is easy to add to any leash. With the WAW bungee, walking the dog becomes more relaxed and safer – for both parties. WAW has been shown to reduce jerk force by up to 40%.

The WAW bungee is made from a very durable plastic compound, which gives a very different feel compared to looser rubber band bungees: the sharpness of jerks is softened but control over the dog remains. Durability is also clearly better compared to rubber bands. WAW comes in several sizes so that the right cushioning can be found for a tiny dog weighing just a couple of kilos as well as for an energetic giant breed representative.

What sets WAW apart from other bungees is its progressive bungee, which guarantees cushioning that strengthens with the pull. When the dog jerks, WAW stretches slowly and returns slowly to its shape when the pull ends – without a yo-yo effect. Thanks to WAW’s firm, short stretch distance, the dog stays under the handler’s control just like with a non-stretch leash. The plastic compound bungee of WAW also withstands time and wear: it does not lose its bungee properties like rubber band bungees do.

Why use the WAW bungee – regardless of the dog?

Jerks on the leash and the dog lunging at the end of the leash easily cause unpleasant sensations, pain, or various degrees of strains or injuries to both the dog and the handler. Doctors have found that jerks cause micro-injuries to the dog’s cervical spine and also expose the handler to joint injuries. WAW protects against these problems by cushioning the jerk gradually with increasing strength and preventing recoil also during the recovery phase.

Even if your dog is a very calm walker, jerks cannot be avoided then either. It is enough that you walk normally forward and your dog stops unnoticed to sniff the ground. So a jerk cushion is useful for everyone!

WAW bungee:

• Protects the dog from cervical spine injuries. With a non-stretch leash, the risk of micro-injuries to the cervical spine caused by jerks is higher.
• Protects the handler from strains and joint injuries. Sudden jerks can lead to various wrist, shoulder, ankle, and back injuries.
• Especially protects puppies during their growth phase. The puppy’s body is still developing and leash walking can be full of pulling.
• You can read more about the differences between WAW and traditional rubber band bungees in our blog article.

WAW durability

Each WAW size has been tested with durability and stress tests (over 100,000 jerks with 2–4 times stronger force than the dog can produce). WAW has been tested to work in temperatures from -10 to +50 degrees Celsius. Based on practical experience, the product has also held up well in Finnish winters.

Choosing the size of the WAW bungee

The stiffness of WAW varies by size, so the choice depends on the dog’s size, energy, and whether the product is used with a collar or harness. The product images include a manufacturer’s chart to help with size selection.

NOTE: WAW is significantly stiffer than traditional rubber band bungees (designed to effectively cushion especially harder jerks), so based on user experience, many dogs can use a size smaller than their actual weight class – especially if the dog’s weight is near the size limit and has normal leash behavior. For example, size M fits well for dogs under 20 kilos and size L for calm dogs under 40 kilos. When choosing size, consider your dog’s temperament, strength, and for example prey drive. For a strong energetic dog, we recommend following the manufacturer’s chart.

We are also happy to help with the selection.

Physical size of WAW Basic

Lengths (unstretched) and weights including locks:

• XXS: 16 cm, 24 g
• XS: 17.5 cm, 27 g
• S: 20 cm, 39 g
• M: 25 cm, 62 g
• L: 25 cm, 69 g
• XL: 29 cm, 99 g
• XXL: 32 cm, 121 g

Versions of WAW bungees

There are two models of WAW bungees: the locking WAW Basic (7 sizes) and the non-locking WAW Sport (4 sizes). The Sport model has no metal parts at all, so it is even lighter than the basic WAW and suitable also for sled dog sports. The stiffness is the same in both, but the Sport model sizes start from M upwards.

Structure of WAW bungees

• Bungee made of plastic compound: the strong and stiff plastic compound bungee acts as the jerk absorber.
• Safety strap: alongside the plastic bungee, the product has a narrower fabric strap. The purpose of this safety strap is to stop excessive stretching of the plastic bungee. Without the strong fabric strap, the plastic bungee would stretch beyond its capacity. It also ensures the dog stays attached even in the rare case that the plastic bungee is damaged, for example by the dog’s teeth.
  • Inside the safety strap is a traditional rubber band, whose function is solely to shorten the strap.
    It is normal for this rubber band to lose significant elasticity over time due to stress. This depends on the force of the dog’s jerks relative to the size/stiffness of the plastic bungee, i.e., how often and how much the safety loop’s rubber band has to work (how often the plastic bungee stretches fully with that particular dog). Even if the elasticity of the rubber band shortening the safety strap has decreased, it does not affect the actual bungee’s durability or cushioning properties.
  • Note: It is not advisable to hold the safety loop by hand or use it as a control handle, as this causes premature wear of the rubber band.