Flexi Leads

[capt_noonie]

Originally Posted by Baily341o

We had a mini pink one when we first got Bailey... To small for my hands, only 2 fingers as well! Then we got a bigger flexi leash with the black park and then cord and that is MUCH better. Then we went to TjMaxx and found a "doggy couture" leash, same type as flexi and it was so cute with purple flowers and paisly on it! SOOO CUTE! and it had a light<3. I was in love. So now we use that one. On Animal Planet, Victoria Stillwell says that you should only use a flexi type lead if your in open spaces like a field so they can have that sense of freedom, and you should use a regular old leash out for walks because flexi's can snap; and the dog can run away. Ah, who cares... Flexis work for ME!

That is true, however I think the chances of it happening are slim. They just put the warning on there to cover their own butts. That said, I wouldn't trust another brand, like the couture ones you mentioned. I've seen those at Ross and they are all made in China. Unless Flexi is now making color themed one's I don't know about.

I also thought it was funny (well not funny, but you know what I mean) on the Flexi packaging, it shows how it can amputate fingers, and if the cord were to snap, not only does your dog run away, but you get smacking in the face with the retracting cord.

However an actual funny side effect to Flexi's are how Uni tends to tetherball herself around trees all the time. She's so happy that she runs and turns at a tree, then keeps running, but keeps wrapping herself around the trunk until there's no more cord. Then I have to go and save her.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by Baily341o

We had a mini pink one when we first got Bailey... To small for my hands, only 2 fingers as well! Then we got a bigger flexi leash with the black park and then cord and that is MUCH better. Then we went to TjMaxx and found a "doggy couture" leash, same type as flexi and it was so cute with purple flowers and paisly on it! SOOO CUTE! and it had a light<3. I was in love. So now we use that one. On Animal Planet, Victoria Stillwell says that you should only use a flexi type lead if your in open spaces like a field so they can have that sense of freedom, and you should use a regular old leash out for walks because flexi's can snap; and the dog can run away. Ah, who cares... Flexis work for ME!

Thank you! Yes, it's only for the wide open spaces that I really want one - I've got toooo many scrummy leads to not use them on a daily basis!! Sally + Harry x

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

That is true, however I think the chances of it happening are slim. They just put the warning on there to cover their own butts. That said, I wouldn't trust another brand, like the couture ones you mentioned. I've seen those at Ross and they are all made in China. Unless Flexi is now making color themed one's I don't know about.

I also thought it was funny (well not funny, but you know what I mean) on the Flexi packaging, it shows how it can amputate fingers, and if the cord were to snap, not only does your dog run away, but you get smacking in the face with the retracting cord.

However an actual funny side effect to Flexi's are how Uni tends to tetherball herself around trees all the time. She's so happy that she runs and turns at a tree, then keeps running, but keeps wrapping herself around the trunk until there's no more cord. Then I have to go and save her.

I do find the actual funny side effect really funny, I think there must be something wrong with me Harry does this with his 'normal' lead around lamp posts and occasionally peoples legs. He tethered my dad the other day (who's in his 80's) and brought him down to his own level Sally + Harry x

[KazzyK810]

I have a small pink flexi-lead that goes to 16 ft...can't stand it. I don't like having to hold that bulkly plastic thing and feel like I'm losing a hand should any emergency situation arise (dog on the loose, etc). I much prefer my 20ft puppy training lead. It's just like a regular lead only ALOT longer. I loop in the end so it tightens around my wrist and have the use of both my hands.

[maggiefromnj]

First, my little pink one, 16 ft, fit most of our hands, but not well with winter gloves. I wanted to get a bigger one but had a hard time not getting the really big one.

Second. The cords are dangerous. My little girl was with me talking to a friend and her 2 year old. Sometihng caught her eye and she took off. She went around the little girl but as she ran the cord rubbed along the girl's inner arm. It was a couple days later that I found out she had a pretty decent size cut from the cord as it had rubber against her while Maggie ran by. It has also "burned" few other people, but not as bad.

I finally found the "belt style". The belt should not burn people because it is about 1/2 wide and very easy to see. The black cord isn't very visible and is thin. I read that the cord are dangerous due to the burns/cuts they can cause (friction).

My belt style also is a little bigger than the small flexi cord, but is not as big as the medium. I think it is good for up to 44 pounds. It is flexi brand but they didn't have many in the store and it took me a while to find it. I just looked at it. It's Flexi Comfort Compact 1. THe handle has a bit of a rubber type grip. It cost a little more, wait for a sale. Wait, it seems to have gotten cheaper! http://www.petsmart.com/product/inde...ductId=2751508

[Teresa Ford]

Sorry I don't use them. If want them to have free run I use a 20 ft training cord or keep them in a fenced area. I can use a flexi with Rubin, and he will still heel perfectly. But Gracie charges out front, and won't heel. Rather than retrain I use a regular leash.

[FidoTheYorkie]

Remember to ALWAYS use a harness if you have your dog on a flexi lead, never a collar.
Use a harness that wont pull on the neck, if you use Flexi lead with a collar and the dog runs 5-8 meters then pulls on the leash hard, it can damage the neck, but if you have a good harness that doesn't pull/let weight on the neck then it is much much safer and better, he wont hurt then or damage his neck since yorkies have so small thin necks.

Do not always use a flexi, only use it when you are letting the dog run and you don't wanna have him 100% free, do not use flexi to tie the dog, and never let him chew the lead cause then it breaks easily

I use flexi leads much when I'm letting Fido run or when we play fetch, he loves it, but for example when we walk where there are many people I use 1-2 meter nylon or leather leash and let him heel.
I also use the Flexi lead much when I'm out jogging

[Britster]

I do use a Flexi at times but I don't particularly like them for most people. Just like any other tool, a lot of people are really dumb about them. I've seen people in pet stores, etc, letting their dog ALL the way out on the flexi lead and come all up to other people/dogs and not even paying any attention to what their dog is doing. What if another dog it ran up to wasn't friendly? Or people that let their dogs run all the way and pull at the end of the 26ft? I do think there is more control on a regular 4ft or 6ft leash. On regular walks, pet store visits, vet visits, etc, he's on a short leash.

However, I think they are great for certain instances, like you say. Open fields, etc. I use one for potty breaks at night. We live on 3 acres. During the day, I use a 50ft rope but for a quick potty trip, we use the Flexi. Just to give enough space to sniff around. Or if we go somewhere that the 50ft is not appropriate but the Flexi is more so.

Btw, I've owned three Flexi's. Two of them broke. lol. I keep using them though. I had one that said "up to 26lbs" and my dog is 16lbs and broke one SUPER easily. He didn't even really pull that hard, it was so odd. I remember being shocked that it snapped that easily. Second one he did pull quite hard, because he saw deer and bolted but I still didn't think it was all that cool that it just broke. But irregardless, we still use them in open areas - he's pretty good off leash anyways so I'm usually not too worried about him not coming back, but just something to be aware of.

[Britster]

Oh and those cords are killer man!!! One "burned" my finger once. It was my own idiotic fault, I think I thought Jackson was going to go after something, and out of instinct, I grabbed the cord to try and stop it (Idiot, I should have just stopped the leash) and OMG that hurt. I had a huge chunk out of my finger for like two weeks. And I have to be really careful when we are walking with my young sister, it almost got wrapped around her little neck once and I can't even imagine what would have happened. So the warning are kind of funny but I can def. see how things can happen very quickly with these leashes. I also don't like the lack of control. I think it's different than a regular leash and you do have less control. I know you can stop it and put it on lock, but I don't think you have as much control as a regular leash. Plus the handle is bulky and kind of annoying.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by maggiefromnj

First, my little pink one, 16 ft, fit most of our hands, but not well with winter gloves. I wanted to get a bigger one but had a hard time not getting the really big one.

Second. The cords are dangerous. My little girl was with me talking to a friend and her 2 year old. Sometihng caught her eye and she took off. She went around the little girl but as she ran the cord rubbed along the girl's inner arm. It was a couple days later that I found out she had a pretty decent size cut from the cord as it had rubber against her while Maggie ran by. It has also "burned" few other people, but not as bad.

I finally found the "belt style". The belt should not burn people because it is about 1/2 wide and very easy to see. The black cord isn't very visible and is thin. I read that the cord are dangerous due to the burns/cuts they can cause (friction).

My belt style also is a little bigger than the small flexi cord, but is not as big as the medium. I think it is good for up to 44 pounds. It is flexi brand but they didn't have many in the store and it took me a while to find it. I just looked at it. It's Flexi Comfort Compact 1. THe handle has a bit of a rubber type grip. It cost a little more, wait for a sale. Wait, it seems to have gotten cheaper! Flexi Comfort Retractable Dog Leash - Dog - Collars, Tags & Leashes - PetSmart

I would like to get the belt style one day! Maybe once my current one breaks

I haven't been able to find a belt one that goes to 26ft though.

[capt_noonie]

Yeah I forgot about the burns also! It hasn't happened to us, but I can see it happening easily. I got used to retracting the leash while walking pretty easily. Like step forward with your arm out, click the lock, reel them in, unlock to retract, and repeat. LOL

[Britster]

Originally Posted by capt_noonie

Yeah I forgot about the burns also! It hasn't happened to us, but I can see it happening easily. I got used to retracting the leash while walking pretty easily. Like step forward with your arm out, click the lock, reel them in, unlock to retract, and repeat. LOL

Oh yeah it definitely requires some skill and technique! LOL. I am pretty good with it. But I see a lot of really stupid people with flexis.

[Lovetodream88]

To be honest I am not a fan of those leashes and it bothers me when I am out and people are letting there dogs go everywhere and get tangled up and have no control over them. I do own one but I only use it when we are somewhere that there is no other people and even then I really don't use it. I saw someone walking there dog with one at a park a medium sized puppy and the puppy pulled and the leash broke which made me pretty much have no faith in them.

[Harrysmum]

Originally Posted by FidoTheYorkie

Remember to ALWAYS use a harness if you have your dog on a flexi lead, never a collar.
Use a harness that wont pull on the neck, if you use Flexi lead with a collar and the dog runs 5-8 meters then pulls on the leash hard, it can damage the neck, but if you have a good harness that doesn't pull/let weight on the neck then it is much much safer and better, he wont hurt then or damage his neck since yorkies have so small thin necks.

Do not always use a flexi, only use it when you are letting the dog run and you don't wanna have him 100% free, do not use flexi to tie the dog, and never let him chew the lead cause then it breaks easily

I use flexi leads much when I'm letting Fido run or when we play fetch, he loves it, but for example when we walk where there are many people I use 1-2 meter nylon or leather leash and let him heel.
I also use the Flexi lead much when I'm out jogging

Yes, of course I always use a Choke Free harness. Harry's collar is merely a carrier of tags!!

I am wanting a Flexi merely to use when a) I'm not walking him on his 'normal' lead b) When he's not running freely in the fields/parks/seaside etc around us c) When I don't want him to drown himself/get killed by deer/cars etc. Sally + Harry x