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I hate retractable leashes!

I don't get why people even like them. I wonder if anyone who actually trains their dog has one?
 
Chip said:
Before owning a pet shop, I never thought much about them one way or the other. This article sums them up well. http://news.vin.com/VINNews.aspx?articleId=31352&callshare=1
Click to expand...

Dangerous to dogs and motorcyclists. Glad the dog survived but I wonder how the motorcyclist faired ? I used to sell and use them myself and found I had little control of the dog with a retractable leashes. The best combo I liked was a 6 foot HD leash with a anti pull harness like the Guardian. I had a customer that owned a 2 Rottweiler's that would literally drag her were ever they wanted. I put an anti pull harness on each and she was able walk both Rotti's at the same time in total control. She was amazed.
From a motorcyclists point of view (since the article involved a bike) when I see a person walking a dog with a retractable leash I slow down and move to the left of the lane and watch intently that they keep the dog under control. I have had them run into the street before the owner could hit the lock on the retractable.
 
My 70 year old father was in his neighborhood park walking on the trail. A man with a large German Shepard was standing off the trail a few feet away. After my father had passed the pair, the dog attacked my father from behind. He just ran out his retractable leash. My father ended up with deep puncture wounds and tears from the dog's teeth. He hit the ground so hard it broke two vertebra. Cost my father two back surgeries and a year of rehab.
 
I bought one once when I was a teenager, because I wanted to take my new dog to the lake, but I wasn't sure how good his good his recall would be when we weren't home.

Long story short, I thought I could stop his 75 pound body from running by clicking the lock button and my arm nearly got yanked out of my socket.

I probably still have that leash around, but I haven't used it since. I always just use a flat nylon leash for walks. I like my dogs to walk beside me.
 
After seeing a hundred+ dogs a year on them in my shop, I've come to the conclusion, show me a dog on a Flexi, and I'll show you a dog that pulls on lead.
 
I have always thought these things were a bad idea. I have seen dogs dart into traffic before the owner could react. You just don't have complete control. Not to mention you have to check local leash laws but here in AZ you have to have your dog on a 6 foot leash so they are not in compliance.
 
The ONLY time I have used one was for my 14lb, 14 year old deaf toothless poodle mix. I used it only to take her out to potty in our fenced yard. She had to go out on leash because she would try and eat sticks and she usually had to go out around 2am. It was handy then because I could stand on the patio while she went out in the yard to potty, then I could get her back in easily.

Otherwise I always use a flat leash, it's just so much better.
 
I also just find the handle annoying and heavy. With a regular leash, I put the loop around my wrist and then wrap the leash through a few fingers.
 
A six foot leash?? I couldn't imagine walking Grizzly on such a short leash...
I DO use a 23 foot retractable leash. However, we never walk in the city. I always drive to a park to walk, so there is no traffic. Reading the article makes me shake my head. They arent hard to use, and all the reasons listed to not use them can be said for regular leashes too. I can't imagine anyone with an expandable leash letting them go all out in a store either, just doesnt make sense. Anyway, We just signed up for training with Sit Means Sit, so we'll be saying good bye to the leash all together here soon. I'll probably keep the short leash around just in case for when we go in to stores, or happen to walk in the neighborhood, walk to the car, etc.
 
I can't imagine the need for anything longer than 6 feet, I personally prefer 4 foot leads. If a dog can have 23 feet, it's somewhere it doesn't need to be leashed at all, IMO. Retractables train dogs to pull, I've never met a decent trainer who felt otherwise. And I promise you, as a guy who runs a dog-friendly pet shop, EVERYONE lets them go all out in my store! I've thought of a "No retractable leash" policy, but the rich little ladies with horribly behaved pocketbook dogs would probably shop elsewhere, and they are a big part of my clientele. Except for training the recall with a puppy, I can't think of a use for them, and a long lead or even rope would work just as well for that.
 
Yes (not to answer a question not directed at me).
 
Also, to add - I used to have a small dog, a doxen/maltese&-zu mix - he was pretty strong for his size though. One day I was walking him on a retractable leash and he got spooked by a neighbor dog and bolted when the dog barked at him. I was texting (really shouldn't have been) and the leash somehow snapped and went across the back of my leg, causing a HUGE deep horrible rug-burn type thing. I had to keep neosporin on it and constantly gauze it up, it was disgusting, and I still have a scar. It was really deep and bled all over my leg and it was just generally a terrible time. So not only can they hurt your pet, but they can hurt you too!
 
Nanci said:
Doesn't Sit Means Sit employ electric collars?
Click to expand...

Yes and no. It's not really an electric collar, if you have ever felt it, it's more of a vibration than anything.
Having the 23 foot leash means he can explore, since he doesn't recall around distractions (hence the training program) he absolutely cannot be off the leash. A dog will pull a shorter leash more than a long leash, IMO.
 
Well, I'll be interested to hear how it works! Have you done a lot of reading about it?

Oh- Leerburg has Michael Ellis Training the Recall streaming only for $17.49 till April 17th. I think I'm going to get it- I would like to see his method.

LINK
 
I never have, and never will use a retractable leash. They're dangerous for all involved.

I use a 6ft leash when walking. My dogs are trained to walk beside me, for the most part. I allow them to check stuff out, especially if it's a "scary" object like a large trash bin. We check it out so they don't see it's so scary.

Long lead works great for recall work.
I have the recall DVD, but I don't have a readily available 2nd person to help with that, so I haven't done that.

Edited: I have not used an electronic collar before, but as long as I am keeping Malinois, and depending on what kind of training I pursue, there is a chance I will end up using one at some point.
 
Oh, Heather, is it the method where someone restrains the dog, and then the handler calls? I've seen him talk about that. Ella and Rose are getting good, because I carry treats all the time and call them when they are busy doing something else, and then give a ton of treats.
 
Hate loath and despise these...Working in a clinic I see a lot of them, and a lot of the dogs on the other end just wandering around because the owner isn't paying attention... I don't know how many times I've had to remove a dog from the exam room I am in with another dog (or cat) because said dog is just roaming around on the damned things...owners find it funny "Oh I'm sorry hahaha".........you will be if my patient in the other room attacks YOUR dog (or vice verse) because YOU'RE not paying attention...........not to mention the person that has a 100+ lb Rottweiler on an itty bitty retractable leash...............seriously? And just how, pray tell, are you going to be able to control your dog in a dangerous situation (either to your dog or from your dog?) from a bazillion feet away from you??? *facedesk*
 
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