Plenty of dog owners invest in the Flexi retractable leash for the freedom it appears to give the dog on walks. The extendable leashes are widely popular and available in every dog store, but are retractable leashes dangerous in any way?
While the leash gives the impression that it will give your dog more space to sniff about and explore while out on walks, the downsides and potential risks are startling.
Before you consider getting one, this is what you should know about the risks of retractable leashes.
Plenty of dog owners invest in the Flexi retractable leash for the freedom it appears to give the dog on walks. The extendable leashes are widely popular and available in every dog store.
Chances are, if you haven’t got one already, you’ve thought of buying one yourself.
While the leash gives the impression that it will give your dog more space to sniff about and explore while out on walks, the downsides and potential risks are startling.
Before you consider getting one, this is what you should know about the risks of retractable leashes.
The Flexi or retractable leash is a thin, long lead that clips on your dog’s collar or harness at one end and has a spring-loaded device inside the handle on the other end.
The handle has a button that controls how far the lead can extend, which is sometimes as far as 26 feet!
The device works something like a seatbelt; the further the dog goes, the more it extends. The closer your dog gets when it returns, the more the lead should retract.
The idea is to allow your dog the freedom to move far away from you without being entirely off the lead. And it’s a pretty neat idea, in theory. In practice, however, it’s an accident waiting to happen.
Why are retractable leashes dangerous?
There are many reasons that retractable leashes are not only harmful, but they are also downright dangerous. These include:
1. Your dog can get into a dangerous situation
Consider being almost 30 feet away from your dog when it runs into another dog who is off-leash.
This situation could be fine, provided both dogs are friendly. However, a dog pulling on a Flexi leash can look aggressive to another dog that is not.
This can provoke a fight, all while you are too far away to prevent it.
Similarly, your dog can run into all kinds of trouble if they aren’t safe by your side, such as dashing into a busy road or into the oncoming path of a cyclist. Being far away from your dog limits your ability to prevent accidents.
2. The cord can snap
One of the critical dangers here is that dogs can pull so hard and take off so fast after something they see that they can snap the cord.
Suppose the dog is already lacking in basic obedience skills such as a good recall or a stay. In that case, this could mean a dog running wild in an area where either they or something else is at risk.
A snapped cord can also whip backward and hit the owner. It has been known to hit the owner in the eye and cause blindness. This is especially dangerous if the cord is fully extended.
3. The device can fail
Like any device, the internal mechanism will fail sooner or later. The cord will stop coiling back, the button may stop working, are the whole lead could suddenly unspool at once.
If you’re lucky, this will happen somewhere safe, where you can retrieve your dog in your own time. But if you are walking along a road and your dog has already learned to exploit the Flexi lead’s freedom, it can lead to tragedy.
Another point to keep in mind is that you are holding the device, not the lead. If it should break and you grab the cord of a runaway dog, it can cause rope burn, or in severe cases, it has even resulted in the amputation of arms and fingers.
4. You can fall
Consider the scenario where you have a large dog that has taken off suddenly after a bird or another dog. What happens when it reaches the end of its tether?
You can be yanked off your feet and even dragged along if you don’t let go. This can lead to various injuries, including scrapes and broken bones.
5. It can severely damage your dog’s throat
If you think retractable leashes are acceptable for smaller dogs who don’t have the power to snap the cord or pull you off your feet, think again.
A small dog that takes off sprinting might suddenly find itself whipped back when it reaches the end of the cord. This can cause damage to the dog’s trachea, neck vertebrae, and thyroid.
6. Puppies and untrained dogs learn to pull
One of the most significant issues with the retractable lead is that a puppy or a dog that has not yet been fully trained quickly learns to pull on the leash.
Since pulling gives the dog more leeway to run, pulling is actively encouraged. This fosters lousy behavior in the dog and can make walking a frustrating experience. It also dramatically decreases the amount of control you have over the pup.
7. The lead can be yanked out of your hand
Suppose your dog has taken off and the bulky handle has slipped out of your hand. This means a runaway dog, but what’s worse is that if your dog is high-strung, the sound of the handle clattering behind it can scare them further.
In that case, you may have a real problem on your hands.
When can you use a retractable leash?
Retractable and extendable leads have a place in the dog world; they’re just not for everyday use.
If your dog is tracking or involved in recall training, they’re a great tool to have.
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They can also be used for dogs who already have obedience training in safe areas for them to sniff around. In this case, it’s best to walk your dog to a field or quiet spot and then put them on the retractable leash once there.
What to look for in a good leash
So if retractable leashes are out, what should you look for in a leash? Here are some things to consider:
- It should not be too long. Between four and six feet gives you enough room to quickly get control of your dog if you need to.
- The material should be durable. Premium nylon, leather, or a chain-link leash can prevent snapping and take the force of a sudden pull.
- Width. In general, the larger the dog, the wider you want the leash to avoid breaking.
- The clip. For your dog’s safety, you need to ensure that the clip can be safely secured on the collar or harness.
Finally, remember quality. The Zouga Dog Gear Wayfarer is built to last. It is versatile so that it can loop around your waist to allow for hands-free walking and running.