retractable leashes

[JMuedog]

I also use retractable leashes, tried going back to the regular ones and can't! I have the 16' and its perfect. I just want to make sure you only using a harness with your dogs when you walk.... if you would brake that leash when they're running and they just had a collar on it could cause serious damage! Just an FYI if you don't already use a harness.... I just always assume small dog owners know the dangers of using a collar, but I've heard a lot of horror stories.

[LauraLove]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I also use retractable leashes, tried going back to the regular ones and can't! I have the 16' and its perfect. I just want to make sure you only using a harness with your dogs when you walk.... if you would brake that leash when they're running and they just had a collar on it could cause serious damage! Just an FYI if you don't already use a harness.... I just always assume small dog owners know the dangers of using a collar, but I've heard a lot of horror stories.

yup, we use a harness and i got a 10 foot retractable. should be long enough, as of now he does not really like being on a leash so he walks really slow haha

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I also use retractable leashes, tried going back to the regular ones and can't! I have the 16' and its perfect. I just want to make sure you only using a harness with your dogs when you walk.... if you would brake that leash when they're running and they just had a collar on it could cause serious damage! Just an FYI if you don't already use a harness.... I just always assume small dog owners know the dangers of using a collar, but I've heard a lot of horror stories.

Yes, this a great reminder, some of us assume everyone knows this, but you are so right to mention it.

[JenniferLeigh]

Originally Posted by JMuedog

I also use retractable leashes, tried going back to the regular ones and can't!

I'm the opposite. We had a retractable leash for our Golden Retriever that lasted seriously about 7 years. When it finally broke - I picked up a regular leash and find it much better than the retractable one. Perhaps because of the size of the dog? The main thing I don't like about the retractable is the handle. I like being able to put the leash around my hand so I can still put my hands in my pockets on those cold winter days. :P

[kdlmon]

I used a retractable with my Jack Russell for eight years. But when we got Cooper we went to puppy class and the teacher said that she wasn't a fan of the retractable leashes. So I use a regular leash on Cooper. Like another poster said, I want him to be close in case I need to scoop him up.

When I tried a regular leash on my JR he became a MUCH better walker. He did not pull and I am able to control him! Occasionally I will use the retractable if we go to the beach or on a hike.

[deb22]

Great info...I will have to try retractable's...Thanks..

[Miao]

When I went to shop for a new retractable leash for my yorkie after having long thrown out our old one for our late shih-tzu, I noticed they now make retractable "strap" leashes. I chose the cord type again only because the longest length was out of stock for the strap type. I really wanted to try that in case I have to grab onto it for whatever the reason, I figure it might not cause "rope burn" on my hands like the cord type would (I've done it to myself in the past with our Tibetan Spaniel's retractable cord).

[no3yshhc0la]

I have one but only use it for when I take Sasha outside to potty. I use a regular leash for her when we go for walks or out to the vet and whatnot, that way I have more control of her. I've never had any problems with mine. I think I bought the smallest size or the 2nd smallest. I can't remember, but either way, it works great!

[SRD]

Shorty got one from a neighbor for christmas the year before last. I used it once in a while, it could be a bit confusing at first. It comes in handy when Shorty wants to run in the grass thats a bit far from the side walk so I don't have to step in the grass with her.

[wemple2]

Just because it's retractable doesn't mean you have to let them have the whole nine yards. I use one for Winston, in the locked position when we are seriously out for a walk, and he walks along with me great. But I unlock it for those wide open spaces so he can run around a bit and investigate whatever it is Yorkies investigate!!! He's very shy, so when we are out in public he'll stay right with me whether it's locked or not...LOL!!!

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by wemple2

Just because it's retractable doesn't mean you have to let them have the whole nine yards. I use one for Winston, in the locked position when we are seriously out for a walk, and he walks along with me great. But I unlock it for those wide open spaces so he can run around a bit and investigate whatever it is Yorkies investigate!!! He's very shy, so when we are out in public he'll stay right with me whether it's locked or not...LOL!!!

Yeah, I wondered the same thing because some people say they get a regular leash for walking, and you can use a retractable leash like a regular leash by locking it. I did see a model at the store that doesn't lock, and maybe some people have those.

[yorkiesmiles]

I have them because when I adopted my 2 that was the only thing she sent with them. But I have mixed feelings about them. Some people believe they are very dangerous & have horror stories to tell. You can search on YT for retractable leashes - and find out what people have said in the past.

First off they are tricky to use - there is a bit of a learning curve, especially if you are anywhere that another dog or wild animal could come up to your yorkie. Recently, I was at my parents & if they wanted to go out & take the dogs for a walk, I put the regular leashes on them.

Secondly, It is so incredibly scary if you drop the retractable leash - because the handle flies towards them -- make sure if you get one, that you buy the smallest handle, so much less to possibly hit them - some of those handles could weigh as much as a small yorkie - and the flying impact is so scary. I have dropped mine - Roxy is so afraid of it, and now even dropping a regular leash - they know they could get hurt & can't get out of the way.

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

I have them because when I adopted my 2 that was the only thing she sent with them. But I have mixed feelings about them. Some people believe they are very dangerous & have horror stories to tell. You can search on YT for retractable leashes - and find out what people have said in the past.

First off they are tricky to use - there is a bit of a learning curve, especially if you are anywhere that another dog or wild animal could come up to your yorkie. Recently, I was at my parents & if they wanted to go out & take the dogs for a walk, I put the regular leashes on them.

Secondly, It is so incredibly scary if you drop the retractable leash - because the handle flies towards them -- make sure if you get one, that you buy the smallest handle, so much less to possibly hit them - some of those handles could weigh as much as a small yorkie - and the flying impact is so scary. I have dropped mine - Roxy is so afraid of it, and now even dropping a regular leash - they know they could get hurt & can't get out of the way.

If you get one that is made for a smaller dog they don't have that extreem pull to them. I actually think the larger handle ones are easier to hold.

[yorkiesmiles]

Originally Posted by Nancy1999

If you get one that is made for a smaller dog they don't have that extreem pull to them. I actually think the larger handle ones are easier to hold.

Well, I do speak as a very petite, small boned person. I know I wouldn't want to carry something bigger. And the weight of these leashes is what scares me

[Nancy1999]

Originally Posted by yorkiesmiles

Well, I do speak as a very petite, small boned person. I know I wouldn't want to carry something bigger. And the weight of these leashes is what scares me

Well maybe your hand can fit into those small ones, mine can't, and I never was able to get what I thought was a firm grip. I dropped the smaller one many times and I've never dropped the larger ones, I just meant to be sure and check the weight as well, because the ones that are made for the heaviest dogs, have the most zip, and that would scare me too. The one we have is for dogs less than 26 pounds, and doesn't have that much zip to it.