Retractable leads - Dangers thereof

[gemy]

Below is an article by Dr Becker:

I agree with this article and would also add that if you are approaching a dog being walked on one of those leads, try to cross the street, and or give a wide berth to that dog. Assume that the human does not have control of the dog on that lead.


The only place I have used a retractable lead is when I am training recall. Even then I walk the dog on regular lead to the park, and then exchange leads as I train recall.


If you want to allow your dog some more freedom to explore, try using a flat cotton long lead, many pet stores carry them in different lengths, I have a 20ft one with a piece of wood on the end of it. The wood floats up if I am doing water work, or again for training I can step on one end of the lead to stop the dog.


A fanny pack is a good thing to have as a dog walker. You can keep an extra lead in it, your poo bags, your treats, etc.



By Dr. Becker

A retractable leash is not so much a leash as it is a length of thin cord wound around a spring-loaded device housed inside a plastic handle. The handles of most retractable leashes are designed to fit comfortably in a human hand. A button on the handle controls how much of the cord is extended.
Retractable leashes are popular primarily because they aren't as confining as regular leashes, allowing dogs more freedom to sniff and poke around on walks. But unfortunately, there are many downsides to this type of leash.

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash

The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.
In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.
The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.
If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.
Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.
Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."
The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.
Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.
Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will.
Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.
If your dog is well trained, gentle mannered and smart enough to master a regular leash and a retractable leash without being confused, you could be one of the rare guardians that can walk your pooch on any kind of leash without increasing risks to either one of you.

[KazzyK810]

"if you are approaching a dog being walked on one of those leads, try to cross the street, and or give a wide berth to that dog. Assume that the human does not have control of the dog on that lead. "

I couldn't agree more!

I have as yet to meet a responsible pet owner that utilizes a retractable leash appropriately in a public space.

Personally, I can't stand the things. I bought a flexi when ZoE was a puppy, as my yard wasn't fenced in, and thought it would allow her s little more freedom to venture further afield and sniff around. One...it almost took finger off and left a bad rug-burn mark on my hand. Two..it was damn uncomfortable to hold. I haven't used it since.

I then bought a long training lead..I think about 25ft. It works great. It gives her freedom to roam in safe areas away from others. I would never think of using it on a walking foot path, as there she should walk heeled right right to me, yet others think its appropriate to use their flexis. Some people don't get that everyone doesn't want to interact with your dog in public, and no one should be forced to because you cant keep your dog under control. Although, now i think of it, the idiots that dont keep control of their dogs on flexis are most likely the same kind of idiots that dont keep control of their dog on a 6ft leash either

[yorkiemom76]

Great article. Hate, hate, hate these leashes! And it seems like it's always the people with the largest, most unruly dogs that use them.

[MauiGirl]

Great article. Dogs on too long of a leash are not "in tune" with the owner, and are so easily distracted, and impossible to correct, control, or protect.

I alternate between a 4' and 6' leash for my girls, depending on the circumstances.

[Britster]

I use a Flexi and like having it. I'm also not an idiot though... lol, and agree there are a LOT of idiots who use them, but those are also the people that seem to be stupid even with a 6ft leash. They're really not that difficult to use and maneuver, especially with a small dog. I do agree they shouldn't be used in most public places like stores, or small sidewalks, cities, etc. I use it in situations where my 50ft long line is too much and my 6ft is just not enough to give him some more potty room or a bit more exercise in a non crowded space.

[SirTeddykins]

Yes, I use this type of leash too but only when we are in the park alone. Teddy will NOT respond to recall so using this leash means that he can run and explore whilst being safe at the same time. However, to and from the park, he is on an old fashioned leash. I never use these extendable leashes on walks because I'm afraid they'd snap. If they snap when he's in the park, he's safely away from traffic. I walk him on a four ft leash which is too short, I think, at his age. But, I would never feel safe walking him on a flexi in case it snapped and he ran out into traffic.

Also, for just a few more $, one can buy these leashes so that they're not cord but made of regular leash material (whatever that is). I think a lot of people opt for the wire-type ones cuz they're slightly cheaper but, really, the other ones are much better.


I think responsibility w/these is the key message. But, like many things, responsibility does not come with instructions for those who need to learn about it most...lol!

[Magnus]

I also use the retractable leash but only when walking in my neighborhood. There aren't many distractions and I started using them when Magnus was trained well enough to be on a leash in general.

When we're out in more public areas, like the park or dog friendly places, I only use 6' regular leash. I made a stupid mistake of trying to grab the thin wire when Magnus tried running off and burned my hand. (I panicked b/c the person was scared of dogs)

[Graneet]

Ido not like them my yorky broke 4 of the and my pap 2 they both took off. Boo chewed a couple because he didnt want them on. But they broke right at the bend of theleash where the plastic is. Complete waist of money.all of mine were flex.

[Graneet]

I also want to add my daughter in law has a lab. His collar broke so i used my flex. Well he wasnt my small dogs and he took off to the end of the leash and nearly jerked me off my feet. Dumb on my part for sure. I love that the cord dont get tangled. But its not worth it when your dog gets loose.