As we saw in our article on the best dog tie-outs and stakes, if you love your dogs to accompany you on a daytime or overnight camping trip, then you would need to ensure that it stays safe and does not embark on an unsupervised exploration. And good old dog tie-out and stake system is one of the most convenient options to restrain your dog during an outdoor camping trip.
However, it is crucial to pick a tie-out system that is reliable and safe for your canine’s size, age, and temperament. And if you have two dogs, finding a tie-out stake and cable system that is secure, stable, and stays tangle-free can be a bigger challenge. Well, not anymore!
In this article, we share our review and evaluation of the innovative K9Compass two dog tie out stake, designed and marketed by Double Dog Run – the manufacturers of the popular two-dog tie-out systems. We list the key specifications of the K9Compass stake and share our findings for each of our assessment criteria. So buckle up and read on!
K9Compass two dog tie out by Double Dog Run
The key details of the K9Compass two-dog tie-out stake are listed below:| Picture | Product | Specifications | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake | 11 mm. thick, 14" long steel spiral stake. For one or two dogs up to 250 lbs. each. |
K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake specifications
The key specifications of the K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake for camping and outdoors are listed below:
- Building Material: High-quality, carbon steel spiral stake with rust-resistant paint coating. Galvanized-steel swivel and stainless-steel cable rings and clasp.
- Size and Weight: 11 mm. thick, 14″ long spiral stake. 3.5 lbs. total weight.
- Suitable for: One or two dogs up to 250 lbs. each (total 500 lbs.).
- Force rating: Aggregate pull force of up to 800 lbs.
- Installation: Easy installation and removal using a built-in, easy-twist sloped handle. No additional tool is required.
- Country of origin: Designed in the US (Birdsboro, Pennsylvania) and promoted by a family-owned business. Made in the US using Good Manufacturing Processes (GMP).
- Warranty: Backed by a 100% satisfaction guaranteed commitment or money back within 30 days and a two-year limited warranty against manufacturing defects. Replacement hardware is also available directly from the Double Dog Run’s website.
- Price range: $$$.
K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake review
In order to thoroughly review and evaluate the K9Compass dog tie out stake, we primarily focused on the following main factors:
- Manufacturing material and quality
- Design features
- In-field performance
- Price/cost of ownership
- Warranty and after-sale support
Our findings are summarized below:
Manufacturing material and quality
The building material of the tie-out stakes and any associated hardware is an important factor as it governs the durability, reliability, and lifespan of the product.
Like the best dog tie-out stakes, the K9Compass dog tie-out stake has an all-metal construction:
- The spiral stake is made of carbon steel with a bright orange rust-resistant paint coating.
- The swivel handle is made of galvanized steel with a bright orange rust-resistant paint coating.
- The cable rings and clasps are made of stainless steel.
The bright orange coating provides corrosion resistance and weather protection and makes the stake more visible, even in low lights.
The stake is a solid 11 mm. thick and offers a 14″ effective anchoring length.
Because of all-metal construction and an oversized head, the stake weighs a little more than some cheaper options – it has a total weight of around 3.5 pounds. But this solid construction means that the K9Compass tie-out stake can safely hold two large pets, each weighing up to 250 lbs. You just need to pick the rightly rated dog tie-out cable for secure tethering.
The K9Compass stake is designed and made in the US using Good Manufacturing Process (GMP) Techniques. This means that each stake goes through a strict quality-control check. Still, if you find any issue with your product, you can always contact customer support for an exchange or refund.
Design and features
The K9Compass two dog tie-out boasts a bunch of innovative and ingenious design features that make it an excellent choice for restraining your cats while camping.
The next-generation design of the K9Compass stake is an enhancement to the patented Double Dog Run Tie out stake. The unique cable-ring and clasp design allow the attached tie-out cables to move tangle-free from each other while providing a 360-degree movement to the pets.
A solid 14″ long, spiral ground anchoring means that the K9Compass can easily support one or two small, medium, large, or XL dogs weighing up to 250 lbs. each. The stake has been tested for a pull force of up to 800 lbs.
Another smart design feature is the oversized, easy-twist, sloped head. This sloped head provides a grippy handle for convenient, tool-free installation in the ground. So you do not need to carry a hammer or rod separately for installation – a big plus for outdoor adventures like camping.
Just remember that, like other spiral dog tie-out stakes, the K9Compass stake will not go through a hard bedrock. If you hit a bedrock during installation, you should pull out the stake and relocate to a different spot.
In-field performance
When it comes to the in-field performance, we found the K9Compass stake as doing a little more than what it is advertised to do. And we are not the only ones in concluding that – the experts from the PetAge Magazine have listed it as one of their favorite dog tie-out products.
We and many other customers have observed that the in-ground stake really offers a tangle-free tethering of pets. Our expert tested it on her active canines – two Corgis (already trained); they were able to have enjoyable playtime in the backyard (with BV Pets Dog Tie-Out Cables).
Other pet parents have used the tie-out with bigger pets – Shepherds, Bloodhounds, Heelers, and experienced similar minimal-tangle tethering. And if the cables do get entangled because of any reason (there’s always a possibility considering the free motion of the pets), untangling is not a big hassle, and you can get the dog tie-out cables free in a jiffy.
Although the stake has been tested for a pull force of up to 800 lbs., we felt that it could easily carry a pull of 1000+ lbs.
It is important to emphasize that the K9Compass tie-out stake does not come with tie-out cables. You will have to purchase one separately, further adding to the cost of ownership.
Overall, we were pretty satisfied and upbeat about the in-field performance of the K9Compass two dog-tie out. Compared to electric fences, retractable cables, and other swivel stake-and-cable combos, the K9Compass stake offers an excellent cost to performance ratio, especially if you have two pets.
Warranty and After-sales support
The Double Dog Run products in general, and the K9 Compass dog tie-out stake in particular, are all backed by excellent satisfaction guaranteed commitments and after-sale support.
Specifically, each K9Compass stake is backed by a 30-day, hassle-free satisfaction guaranteed, or money-back commitment. On top of that, the manufacturer offers a two-year warranty against any defects.
All purchases are well supported by a super-helpful and dedicated customer support network. If you’re not 100% satisfied with the product or have a query, you can contact them for an exchange, refund, or clarification.
The customer support service follows the “get it right” mantra – a big testament to the quality of these products. Moreover, replacement hardware sets are also available directly from the manufacturer’s website.
Just make sure that you make your purchase directly from the DoubleDogRun website or authorized resellers to avoid any fakes or defective products.
Price
When it comes to the price of ownership, the K9Compass tracker is not the cheapest option in the market and is about 15-20% costlier than most other options.
But, in our opinion, you do get what you pay for – premium made-in-the-US steel construction; tangle-free design; versatile one or two-dogs support, even for large and x-large dogs; tool-free installation – all with a two-year warranty.
All these features make your purchase worth the price, especially if you have two dogs.
The Verdict
Based on our evaluation and review of the product specifications, the overall features, and in-use performance, we believe that the K9Compass is an excellent dog tie-out stake, especially if you have two large or extra-large dogs weighing between 100-250 lbs.
The K9Compass dog tie-out stake is solidly-built, reliable, and provides reasonably tangle-free operation when used with even two pets. And because of its ingenious design, it offers a tool-free installation and removal – a big plus for outdoor excursions such as camping.
- Premium two-dog tie-out featuring a single-piece galvanized steel spiral stake with stainless-steel cable rings and clasp. Designed and made in the US.
- Innovative swivel design that allows the secured tie-out cables to move tangle-free from each other while providing a 360-degree movement.
- One of the few stakes advertised to support large and extra-large canines. Suitable to use for one or two dogs up to 250 lbs. with a maximum pull force of up to 800 lbs.
- Provides a secure and convenient tool-free installation and removal using a built-in, easy-twist sloped handle, making it more portable for camping and other outdoor excursions.
- Backed by a hassle-free money back for 30 days and a two-year warranty against manufacturing defects. Supported by a dedicated customer support service.
- Costlier than most other swivel tie-out stakes, though you get what you pay for.
- Because of a heavy-duty build and 3.5 lbs. weight, not the lightest dog tie-out stake, although it does not require carrying a tool separately to install the stake.
Best dog tie-out cables for the K9Compass Stake
As discussed above, the K9Compass dog tie-out stake can work with all standard, vinyl-sheathed dog tie-out cables, but if you are looking for the best dog tie-out cables, then you can check the following best-sellers. We recommend that you pick a cable that is at least 15-20 feet in length:
- BV Pets Heavy-Duty Dog Tie-Out Cable: Best-selling, ultralight dog tie-out cable with an all-steel cable having a reflective and rust-resistant vinyl sheath. Features with 360-degree rotating, chrome-plated steel swivel clips on both ends with heavy-duty crimps for better durability. Backed by a one-year warranty.
- Snagle Paw Reflective Tie-Out Cable: High-quality and lightweight dog tie-out cable having a rust-resistant galvanized steel cable with a vinyl sheath. Features a twin-swivel design with a shock-absorbing spring and snap locks to prevent tangling and jerking of the cable. Backed by a 100% satisfaction guaranteed commitment.
- Petest Reflective Tie-Out Cable: Budget dog tie-out cable with a vinyl-sheath-covered steel cable and stainless-steel swivel clips. Available in multiple colors, sizes, and lengths suitable for dogs up to 250 lbs.
For more options, you can check out our article on the best dog tie-outs.
If you are looking for a complete, two-dog tie-out system with the stake and cables, then you can also check out the patented Double Dog Run tangle-free tie-out system. This whole over-ground combo comes with a high-quality ABS plastic base plate, 16″ spiral stake, and steel tie-out hardware. The smart, sloped-design ensures separation of the dog tie-out leashes/cables, regardless of the speed and direction of movement of the dogs. This system is available in two sizes – for pets weighing up to 50 lbs., and pets weighing over 60 lbs.
Safety considerations while using dog tie-outs and stakes for restraining
Irrespective of the type of stake and cable you are using, tethering requires careful and proper implementation. Unsafe restraining and tethering can lead to behavioral issues and injuries in pets, even death.
Here are some essential tips and tricks to follow while restraining your dog using tie-outs:
- Do not rely only on tethering using tie-outs and stakes as the primary medium of confinement. Look for alternatives such as physical fencing or using a wireless dog fence. Similarly, during outdoor excursions, if your pet is comfortable sharing space with you, you can instead keep it in your tent at night.
- Avoid restraining your dog with tie-outs for a very long time and never leave them totally unattended. Keep an eye on the dog (or dogs) and use visual and audio cues to determine the pet’s comfort level when restrained.
- Always pick a dog tie-out with appropriate thickness and weight-rating. Even though your tie-out cable may be advertised to withstand over 100 lbs. parts such as stakes, swivel locks, pulleys, etc., can fail, causing the dog to escape from the restrainer.
- Ensure that you pick a dog tie-out cable that is long enough for the dog to have space to walk around, eat, and do its business. We recommend to never tether your pets with a cable that is less than 10 feet. A 15-30 feet long cable is the best option.
- While tethering multiple canines, keep the “personal equation” between the pets before deciding if they can use the same dog tie-out stake or have separate stakes. The tethering cable should not become a source of tug-war between the pets.
- If you have a choice, prefer using a harness instead of a collar with the tie-out. Some dogs hate the constant neck-tug, and a harness provides more comfort and control to the pet.
- If your pet will be tied down for an extended period, make sure it has easy access to food, water, bed, and shade for resting.
- Train your dog beforehand to be restrained with a tie-out stake and cable. It should not get over-excited with the sounds of nature and hurt itself while chasing some critters.
- Ensure that only an adult person gets the dogs restrained, as some dogs may nip back because of the stress of getting tethered.
- Avoid using a tie-out system if you are in an area that has animals like coyotes, mountain lions, and bears, which can attack a restrained dog. The best course of action is to avoid taking the canine altogether in such areas.
Keeping these major things in mind would ensure the safe restraining of canines and make things easy and comfortable for you and your Fido.
Final Thoughts on the K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake
During outdoor excursions such as camping, an over-the-ground tethering system is a suitable solution to restrict your pets to the boundaries of the campsite or backyard. But picking the right dog tie-out stake and cable is crucial.
In this article, we reviewed the innovative, US-made two-dog tie-out stake launched in the market – the K9Compass Two Dog Tie-out Stake by Infinitely Tied LLC, the same company behind the popular Double Dog Run tie-out systems. We discussed the key specifications and features of this innovative product and shared our findings.
Overall, we found the K9Compass tie-out stake as a high-quality, reliable, safe, and convenient anchor to restrain one or two dogs. It may be costlier than many other dog tie-out stakes, but its features and support for tangle-free, two-dog tethering offers an excellent price-to-quality ratio. And with a smart sloped-head, it provides a convenient tool-free mechanism to install and remove. This means that you do not need to carry any additional hammer or mallet.
So, you are in the market for some kind of dog tie-out for restraining your dogs while camping or in the backyard, then you can consider the K9Compass two dog tie out stake as one of the options.
For any more questions or comments, feel free to share them through the comment section below, and we would be happy to answer them. Until next time, have a fun-filled time with your pups!
Image credits: Amazon.com
