Retractable leash

[tims229]

I was wondering the opinion of everyone on retractable leashes for walking your pups. I used to use a cord leash with Leo and walks were not so fun because I was constantly trying to correct him and keep him in heel position. Every couple blocks I'd give him the OK command and let him be a puppy and explore. With the short lead this wasn't very far before he came to the end of it. I want him to be able to explore more while keeping control over how far and where he goes. The retractable leash I have has a handle and a lock button so I can stop him with a press of my thumb. I can also lock it short and still work on heel as we walk.
Is there any reason that I should not be using this type of leash? Keep in mind we live in a small rural town and we might see two or three vehicles on our walks total and I can see and hear them long off and can reel Leo into heel position well before the vehicle gets near us.
I look forward to everyone's opinion. Thanks!

[Bernie]

If it works for you, then it's a good thing.
I've not used one, but like you I can see and hear a car coming from a distance so I use a length of nylon rope and roll as needed, two hand operation though.

[ZoeysMommy]

I use flex leads most of the time but I do not use them until my dogs are completely trained on a leash. They can be quite dangerous if you arent paying close attention

[SunDance]

I use flex leads most of the time but I do not use them until my dogs are completely trained on a leash. They can be quite dangerous if you arent paying close attention

I used retractables with Hershey and Honey when we were in places where there were no other people/dogs...and soon they lost all sense of walking properly on a leash. It was tough retraining them as adults. As long as you keep reinforcing proper walking in addition to allowing the freedom, you might do better than I did.

And, yes, they can be dangerous...to your dog as well as to approaching people.

For example (not meaning to apply this to you): There's one woman I see practically every morning whose dogs have been allowed free rein with retractables and people don't know where to walk when they meet her because the dogs have both zig-zagged from one side of the walkway to the other...cutting people off, etc. Her first dog ran in front of a runner....runner ended up on the ground...dog got scared and bit runner. And she's still oblivious to the fact that she's being totally discourteous.

[tims229]

I used retractables with Hershey and Honey when we were in places where there were no other people/dogs...and soon they lost all sense of walking properly on a leash. It was tough retraining them as adults. As long as you keep reinforcing proper walking in addition to allowing the freedom, you might do better than I did.

And, yes, they can be dangerous...to your dog as well as to approaching people.

For example (not meaning to apply this to you): There's one woman I see practically every morning whose dogs have been allowed free rein with retractables and people don't know where to walk when they meet her because the dogs have both zig-zagged from one side of the walkway to the other...cutting people off, etc. Her first dog ran in front of a runner....runner ended up on the ground...dog got scared and bit runner. And she's still oblivious to the fact that she's being totally discourteous.

Yes I agree, that is definitely not the correct way too use a retractable leash. I keep control of Leo at all times when using it. To not use the leash properly will just lead to bad habits and disrupts others trying to use the public area. Many times if it is dark we work on heel/sit. His focus turns directly towards me then and we stand in a safe spot until the vehicle passes. I love opportunities to train with my Leo.

[POPTOP]

Never used one and don't intend to. Too many times I see people not using them properly and dogs are allowed to do what they want, not being reined in when necessary. I've even been rope burned by one when the owner did not pay attention. If it gets wrapped around a dogs leg, other than the one on the leash, serious accidents/bone breaks can happen. I don't mind see them used when the owner knows how to properly utilize them. For me, a 15-20 foot long leash, even with having to coil it in manually.

[Jeff]

Pretty much they are not advised by many trainers. Basically the freedom of the retractable leash teaches the dog to pull. Think about it, your out and about walking along the dog sees something and runs over to it, no big deal your on your retractable leash. They have the freedom too. Now after doing this for a long time, the dog is on a regular leash and your somewhere they need to behave, the dog sees something 10 ft away they want to go see, but they are on a 6 ft leash. Away they go yanking on you.

In dog scouts, this one of the things a lot of the trainers from 20-30 years can instantly spot, they know when a dog has been on a flexi just by the way it acts and moves when walking. Dogs that have been on retractable leashes exhibit certain behaviors that are very hard to correct once learned. These behaviors are more undesirable in social situations. No so bad on a little 20lb little dog but a 90lb lab. What dog scouts actually encourages and rewards is first leash training, teach a dog to really behave on leash, then start working on off leash. You need a strong recall an leave it. Once you have that then no need for a flexi. Your dog actually ends up getting much more freedom.

[Annette47]

I do use them with my guys, but not until they know how to walk on a leash already. I also know how to use them properly (i.e. how to apply the brake and reel the dog in) which it seems like a lot of people I see with them don’t.

They are only used for walks in the neighborhood, and I don’t require heeling on those. I know many trainers hate them, and I understand why, but my dogs are very well trained and understand the difference between being on a six foot lead and a flexi.

[Shelley]

I also use a flexi lead, sparingly, when I am on the road traveling with my dogs for shows. They can be dangerous, you need to train them to walk properly on a regular lead first, they need excellent recall, and you need to train them to the Flexi, Flexi manners and distance for example.
Flexi's are an option to potty and exercise a dog when you are traveling for days, and there isn't a safe place to let them run, but agreed, they have to be used safely and with respect for others, both dogs and people. I have seen some awful Flexi burns on other people's legs from their dog being out of control and running off while on a Flexi. Plus if the dog is big, like some of our Labradors, they can gain a lot of speed in the length of the Flexi (and that little lock on the handle will be of absolutely no use), and you could be flat on your face with a loose dog. I usually don't recommend them.

[SunDance]

I do use them with my guys, but not until they know how to walk on a leash already. I also know how to use them properly (i.e. how to apply the brake and reel the dog in) which it seems like a lot of people I see with them don’t.

They are only used for walks in the neighborhood, and I don’t require heeling on those. I know many trainers hate them, and I understand why, but my dogs are very well trained and understand the difference between being on a six foot lead and a flexi.

Don't you love it when someone's dog is at the end of the flexible leash and, because they're not paying attention to what's going on, they all of a sudden realize that they need to reel in their dog....and just wrap the lead around their hands frantically instead of getting it to retract. Ouch!