My dogs have a handle on their collars as well as two loops on the leash.
I also will sometimes hold the leash in the middle of the loops as they walk next to me, because they aren't going to take off in most circumstances. Lefties, prepare to clutch your pearls: sometimes I just open the door on the truck, and then the front door to the house and say "Get in the truck" , and just toss the leashes in after them when I catch uo.