10 reasons not to use a retractable dog leash

[musicdeb]

Dr. Becker: 10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash

 

[Sharrielynne]

Great article musicdeb. I am sure most of us mastiff owner wouldn't use one when our beasts are full grown, but I saw a lady walking her puppy mastiff (a DoB) and he saw something on the other side of a busy road and just took off! In order to avoid being mown down by traffic, the owner had to let go of the lead when it reached its full length and of course the plastic handle was smashed to pieces by the truck that ran over it. She managed to get him back safely, but my guess is she wouldn't use one again! They are really not the sort of leash to walk one of our breeds on and maybe not a good idea of any of the larger breeds full stop! They are fine for the smaller dogs that you can control by grabbing the cord!

 

[Hector]

I'm guilty. I still like my retractable.

 

[ruthcatrin]

Used by someone who's paying attention I don't mind them (though I still think they teach the dog to pull), but most people who use them just don't pay enough attention to their dogs....

 

[Eviloverlord]

The little kid next door was walking an untrained young black lab on one of these things. The dog went one way the kid went the other way and I ended up having the backs of my legs slashed open - took weeks to heal and I still have scars from it.

They are evil things.

 

[musicdeb]

The little kid next door was walking an untrained young black lab on one of these things. The dog went one way the kid went the other way and I ended up having the backs of my legs slashed open - took weeks to heal and I still have scars from it.

They are evil things.

Your experience is a perfect example of the leash's evil.

 

[Smokeycat]

I used one with Jiggers but when I couldn't find one rated high enough for Kryten I stopped once I was walking both together. I do agree that it is much easier for a dog to pull when using one however.

 

[Sharrielynne]

Yes Hector, but you are a responsible dog owner! Your dog is trained! So many people use them badly that the dogs and other people are the ones who get hurt by them!

 

[Hector]

Yes Hector, but you are a responsible dog owner! Your dog is trained! So many people use them badly that the dogs and other people are the ones who get hurt by them!

Well I think people use a retractable without training their dog first. I think that's where the problem lies lol and some dogs like my Belgian should never be on a retractable. He has adhd. I love the retractable because my dog can run with me without me choking him or having me or him trip on a long line and in open spaces. He doesn't run too far ahead anyway, so it takes the right dog and owner to be able to use one safely, even then it's still risky.