Flexi leads my end of year post
 

They are the bane of my existence! No dog is under control on a flex lead, most especially medium to large size dogs.

A neighbours dog was walking by and I started to chat with another neighbour. Now the dog owner had also stopped to chat. I ignored the dog as I often do in these situations. He came eventually close to me smelled my dog coat and lunged n growled and barked at me. Not a comfy situation. I backed away slowly sidestepped out of visual contact and suffered no injury. But that owner had a sixty odd pound dog on a flexi lead and was fumbling around on how to control him, in essence he had no control!

Please do not walk dogs on flexi leads. If you want to give your dog some running space pick an environment appropriate. That means take a regular lead and a flexi lead with you.

I really hate them. Callie has one but I have only used it a few times in the 9 years of owning it. All but one of the times was when we were getting the new house ready to move in and the fence was not up and we have three acres and then the other time was when we were in a field. I won't use it any other time. I don't even think I will own one for Joey. Small dogs can really wrap one around your leg or legs. I have seen a medium size dog break one and then not be able to be caught.

I have had one since they first came out , but I use it as gemy suggested. Only where it is safe. I have seen large dogs, owner had all the line out, dog lunged, broke the line, need I say more!!!! I have one 16 feet, I never let out that much line.

I have one and use in appropriate situations. I agree that they shouldn't be used for larger dogs, I've seen some dogs snap the lead and their off running with the owner chasing behind.

That was my biggest fear. Duchess goes crazy whenever she sees another dog and was always afraid it would snap because she pulls so hard trying to get to the other dog so I stop using them and now I have better control of her plus I am better able to train her so that she stops pulling when she see's another dog.

I'm going to disagree and say that I LOVE my Flexi leads and wouldn't know what to do without them.

Can they be used incorrectly just like ANY other tool? Absolutely. A rambunctious large dog (or any rambunctious dog) should not be on one. I also do not use them in public places like crowded parks, stores, etc.

However I use it every day for potty breaks as we live on 4 acres unfenced (well, there are horse fences) and at night especially I do not trust Jackson off leash. He won't go poop typically on a short leash (at least not quickly). He needs his space. So they're perfect for that. When we go camping, I also use for this purpose to give him some extra space but still protected.

I have long lines but I find them annoying. I get rope burn, I've gotten a long lead twisted around my ankle a few times, and they always manage to get twisted around a branch, a stick or a tree LOL. They too have their place and I like them for certain instances but the Flexi is my go-to. I walk 2 dogs on 2 Flexi's easily with no problems. Both understand how they work though. They do not just run to the end as fast as they can or run in circles etc. I can reel them in pretty easily. They get way more exercise because they can walk at a faster pace than my slow butt.

Again, time and a place and training. But I LOVE my flexi's. They have the tape ones that are not cords as well which are safer, imo.