A plague of retractable leashes is upon us! Though that statement comes perhaps ten years too late, I’m happy to offer you my take on this important subject here and now.
Call me a hater, but I HATE retractable leashes. Here’s why:
I’ve never found one that didn’t click and stick or unspool suddenly at the exact wrong time (like when a stray cat crosses your path and an oncoming car has to slam on the brakes to spare your dog’s life). Sticky situations like this serve to illustrate how the “canine lunge line” can serve to thoroughly foul up your control over the animal.
Last weekend, my aunt’s dog was on a placid walk up in northern Florida when another dog came bounding suddenly from the end of a twenty-foot super-Retracto. Dog-fearful Trixie did what any other encroached-upon dog might under the circumstances. She bit the dog.
My aunt, being the responsible dog owner she is, offered to pay for the care of the bitten dog and called immediately to determine what measures she might take to prevent similar incidents in the future.
My take? It’s the other owners fault. And not just because lovable Trixie spent six months as one of my foster dogs before finding a home with my aunt. If my aunt truly had control over Trixie and the bitee’s owner didn’t have control ever her extendo-apparatus, then, well, it seems pretty clear, right?
The same situation plays out in our waiting room on a regular basis. Owners with ill-behaved or over-stimulated and stressed dogs often lose control of their charges. No degree of thumb clicking and hand over hand reeling-in will suffice when the thin line is already wrapped thrice around an elderly woman’s ankles.
Retractable leashes do have their places. But heavy dog interaction zones are not among them. Pet owners thinking about using this kind of leash as their tried-and-true standard would do well to consider the vet’s point of view: They’re a liability.
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MOST dog training facilities in my area have a very strict no-flexi policy.
At my very first agility trial, I was walking my dog before her run when I was nearly clotheslined by someone walking her Aussie on a flexi. The best part was that she didn't even NOTICE that my dog and myself were in between her and her dog until I yelped in pain from the cord hitting my skin!
I am constantly having to remind people on the hiking trails that have dogs on Flexis, "MY DOG is not friendly!" She is, in actuality -- well, she'd rather just be left alone, but whatever. They think it's okay that their dog is 30' in front of them because "He's friendly!" which is what you can hear them shouting before you even see them behind their bounding, grinning 100-lb Labrador who is ready to knock me on my butt.
The scariest part is that we share these trails with horses. Get a flexi underneath a horse and you're looking at one big disaster, for both the rider, the horse, and the dog.
Just say no!
Catsie April 3rd, 2008 08:48:00 AM
I agree...not only have I almost lost my legs and my dignity from these leashes...my dog seems to know that she can 'go check it out' whenever the urge strikes her. I am in the process of making my own leashes...just have to get the length right.
K Bell April 3rd, 2008 08:55:00 AM
Wow, I just ranted in another community about this! And just last night I actually in-person told someone off for trying to walk their gigantic obese rottie with no leash training whatsoever on one. Where I live, in a city, there is absolutely no good reason to have one of these, even if you have a small dog who is well trained--all it does is allow your dog enough room to get all the way up on people's lawns to pee and poop, and to get entangled with other people out trying to walk around. But to try to use one on a 120 lb. (by my estimation, but I have a 90 lb. dog so I know what 100+ lbs. looks like on a dog) dog who has zero leash training and pulls like a freight train and is reactive to other dogs? What?!?! The guy (and I've seen him in similar situations from afar before) was literally wrestling with his dog and the leash and was unable to move out of the bad situation he was in (involving me and my dogs trying to get to our front door after our walk) because he had no way to control his dog. I shouted at him that having his dog on a retractable leash is dangerous and he needs to get a new leash. I think however what he heard was "your dog is dangerous", which is not what I said at all. The _situation_ is dangerous. The dog can be sweet as pie but if it doesn't have any training or self control having it on a leash where you can not control it is in fact dangerous.
But he's an early 20's year old guy with a big tough guy dog, so clearly he knows everything. I am tempted to go up to his house (he lives on my street) and offer him our old front-clip harness that my reactive dog has graduated from, and a 6 foot leash I never us (we're on four-footers because in the city any more than that is overkill).
cressida April 3rd, 2008 09:05:00 AM
I thoroughly enjoyed your rant because now I know others feel the same way. Next time you should rant about people who don't use leashes at all. In a park my dog (always under control on a 6 foot flat lead) and I frequent that is NOT a leash-free park (despite popular opinion and action) a labrador has come bounding up to us on several occasions. I catch the dog by the collar and wait for the owners to come get it (they saunter up to me and give me dirty looks) and every time I explain to them, if my dog has been a leash-aggressive dog, who would have paid for the damage incurred when their ill-mannered (and wet and smelly I might add) lab jumped on us out of nowhere? What will they do when he gets hit by a car driven too swiftly by someone through the park (also a common occurrence). They just snub me and let their dog go and walk off on their merry way.
At least with the retractable leashes there is some, if not slim, hope that a dog might be controlled - although I'd rather see set-length leads on everyone at all times in public, except in places where dogs are allowed off-leash.
1st Year April 3rd, 2008 09:10:00 AM
Oh my goodness! I have to comment on this entry. ;-)
I recently read an article about retractable leashes, and essentially the author (and most of the people who commented on it) concluded "way to create an issue where none really exists."
I trained dogs for 30 years. I specialized in re-training aggressive dogs for at least the last decade before I retired. I use both regular and retractable leashes quite successfully, for a number of reasons.
My own dogs have been Great Danes for most of my life, and I gravitate towards working with larger dogs, in my role as trainer. (Small dogs are fine. Just not my cup of tea.) Because the XL retractable leashes are heavy, I only use them when I plan to take the dog somewhere it is appropriate for it to go out and sniff around, in release mode. If I know I'll have an expectation of heeling for most of the walk, I use a regular leash (if required)...simply because they're not as bulky and heavy as the retractable ones.
A retractable leash...at least every one I know of...has a locking mechanism, making it identical to a regular leash, in function. If people are too dim to know how to use the lock, then there are bigger concerns at hand.
I prefer the ribbon-type retractable leashes, because they're more visible to others. In the two local conservation areas that border my street, cyclists, in particular, rarely use a bell or their voices to announce their approach. (Actually, it's the most common complaint to the parks authority. Cyclists seem to feel they have a right to zip past everyone at 30 miles an hour, and anything that might cause them to have to slow, even a bit, seems to anger them.)
Since I have little sympathy for people who don't train their dogs, reeling the dog back in, when needed, should be a simple matter of saying, "heel" or "come" or slapping your leg, or whatever you need to do to bring the dog to your side.
But, then again, your dog should be properly socialized, so it doesn't really "need" to be called back to you (except for safety reasons), since it's not going to behave inappropriately anyway, no matter who's going by.
Apparently, though, simple physics escapes some people. So here are a couple of tips most people using retractable leashes eventually figure out on their own:
1. If you are physically pulling your dog back into you (say...against its will), you swing your arm (and the recoiling leash) towards your dog, then press the lock button down with your thumb, then pull the leash (and dog) back towards you, a few feet. Keep doing this until the dog is under your control again.
2. If your retractable leash gets tangled in another dog or person, immediately depress the lock button, and let the leash fall to the ground. Give everyone an opportunity to step out of the puddled leash, then grab the line/ribbon with your free hand, and slowly guide it back into the housing until it's fully retracted.
3. Use common sense. If someone is approaching, your dog should be heeling (if you're not in a leash-free area...and why would you be using a leash in a leash-free area anyway?). This is not just for your dog's safety, it's also considerate. Unless a person requests to interact with your dog, you shouldn't allow it to approach, no matter what kind of leash you're using.
I find the (albeit common) acrimony towards retractable leashes a bit puzzling. I use one pretty much every day, and I've never had a single negative incident. I walk my dog 3 or 4 times a day. The longest leashed walk will undoubtedly be in a conservation area, so naturally I'm not going to keep her heeling that whole time. And it's illegal to have one's dog off-leash in such places. A retractable leash is not just okay, but ideal!
I typically provide an hour of off-leash exercise and play at one of several area off-leash dog parks, each day. (I have a tiny slip of a leash for the walk from the parking lot to the leash-free area's entrance.)
Most other walks (say, walking to the end of my road to the post boxes), is on a regular leash. Since I teach all dogs in my care to heel right away (see my article "Teach your dog to heel in one day" http://www.goodpooch.com/MyGoodPooch/heelin1day.ht...), I don't "need" a leash at all. (I've quipped, "A leash is for the law, not for control.") And since I abhor any contact with a dog's neck, I use plain, ol' fashioned flat collars, with typically the skinniest (matching) leash I was able to find. In fact, one woman specifically pointed out to her walking companion, "The biggest dog in the park has the tiniest leash." I could walk my dogs with thread. So I really like using the regular leashes, since my dogs and I don't even notice them. (If you've ever used an XL retractable RIBBON leash, you know how heavy they are.)
I would only agree that far too many dog owners are negligent, and don't properly train and socialize their dogs, or keep them legally compliant. I've seen just as many owners allow their leashed dogs (on standard leashes) to run up to people and other dogs, and there are many cases of bites resulting from such interactions. It's not the kind of leash, but the failures of those owners to properly train and socialize their dogs.
A perfect example was a walk I took with the owners of a dog my husband & I agreed to look after, for a weekend. We had no problems with her during her stay, even at the off-leash park or on any number of leashed walks in our community. But on this group walk, I saw some very telling things.
I'm retired from dog training anyway, but I never did interject myself, unless requested to do so. When I spied a couple with their dog illegally off-leash ahead, just inside the entrance to a nature trail, I wanted to observe how this family would handle the situation.
I was a bit ahead, so I simply walked by the snarling, lunging Groendael-type dog the owner was desperately trying to control via just its collar. (Their plan was, apparently, to drive all the way to our little country road, and let their out of control dog off-leash to fetch balls. Yeah...really responsible.) My girl, of course, simply walked by...on her unlocked, retractable leash. She'd been in a heel since we left our house, so she had no reason to break position. I certainly didn't give her a release command in the presence of this dog. So, she did what she always does; remained heeling and ignored the others. (That's the joy of owning a well-trained dog. No stress!)
The visiting family and their dog, also on a retractable leash, was a different story. I heard their dog also begin growling, as it neared the other one. I looked back to see it straining at the end of a temporarily locked retractable leash, and the owner desperately trying to stop it. As most dogs in that position will do, it won the battle and dragged a screaming owner towards the aggressive, off-leash dog. That dog's owner was equally panicked and trying to keep the two dogs separated. It was a sorry, sorry sight, I'll tell you. Negligence all around.
A little further ahead on the trail (my girl now in release mode on her retractable leash), a woman approached with two dogs on retractable leashes. One of her dogs was behaving aggressively, and she desperately tried to avoid my walking companions' dog by fleeing to the scrub. It didn't help. The dog again dragged its owner to the aggressive little dog, both of them snarling and lunging at each other. The lady was so busy with that, she let her amiable dog wander out on his retractable leash. Keep in mind, my own dog was on the other side of the trail, doing her best to ignore the "unpleasantness". When the other dog ambled over towards her, she quietly walked over to him and they met. No big deal. I just watched as the others got themselves untangled and separated. But it just goes to show that the problem isn't really the retractable leash, but rather irresponsible owners.
When someone drives drunk, we don't blame the car. When someone allows his/her child to tumble down some stairs in a walker because he/she wasn't diligently supervising the child, we should place the blame appropriately, not on an inanimate object. So when people are responsible owners (who don't allow their dogs to be a nuisance no matter what kind of leash they use), I don't see the merit in vilifying a piece of equipment that clearly has its place.
I, for one, would be very sad if I didn't have a retractable leash. I can't imagine hour-long walks in the conservation areas, with my dog at heel the whole time, or having to stop whenever she wants to stop for a moment and investigate something, because the leash is only 4' long.
From a veterinarian's perspective, a retractable leash may not seem appropriate for an office visit (and it isn't, if the dog is allowed to be a nuisance). But if the dog is either properly trained or the leash is in lock mode, I can't imagine what the problem would be. Hold owners responsible for controlling their own dogs, so those of us who do, aren't further restricted because of the fools who don't.
Marjorie April 3rd, 2008 09:18:00 AM
I am a big fan of the retractable leash for my border collie cross. He is used to a lot of off leash time but currently must be largely content with suburban walks in leash mandated areas. If there is anyone else nearby I call him in and lock to the shortest length.
I think that people not able to control their dog off leash would be well advised not to use a retractable leash due to the diminished control. And certainly, I would consider the dog effectively of leash if it caused trouble will out on the line, rather than being held by a hand at the tape/leash section at the end.
I would also note I used a conventional leash for trips to the vet or kennel.
emily April 3rd, 2008 09:20:00 AM
The problem comes way before people needing to know how to use them, when they make the determination of whether their dog is or is not appropriate for one. Right at that moment is the first and biggest mistake. People seem to think that if their dog is a puller on leash that a retractable is the solution to that problem. I was just talking to my husband about it because his cousin has an adolescent weimeraner that she walks on a flexi and it's just ridiculous to see her struggle with it. But the thought process seems to be, "My dog pulls, so they obviously need more room on leash, so I will get them a flexi and that will keep them from pulling." Which is of course ridiculous. Dogs don't pull because they want to be 8 feet away from you instead of 4 feet away from you. They pull because they want to move forward at a faster rate than you and they have not been taught self control.
And most of the people I see using flexis with large dogs seem physically unable to keep the device locked. I can hear the mechanism locking and unlocking in rapid succession as they struggle. And personally, I would not trust a device that is housed in something that I can not see through, to be strong enough to hold a large dog should something unforseen happen. I want a clear tether between my dog's collar and my hand. When I take the dogs hiking I use 30 foot training leads because I am in 100% control with those. In addition, anyone without huge hands has a hard time keeping a grip on the handles.
People use these devices incorrectly way more than they use them correctly in my neck of the woods--which is an urban environment where *no one* should be letting their dogs have 20 feet of play. The distance from my front door to the sidewalk is less than 20 feet--no dog needs that kind of freedom here.
cressida April 3rd, 2008 09:31:00 AM
I have retractable leashes for hiking in areas where there aren't a lot of other dogs or people, but there are reasons to keep my dogs from running off. That's the only time I use them.
I had a horrible experience in a vet's office once with one my dogs whose aggressive with dogs he doesn't know. I was paying at the far, far corner of the desk to avoid any contact with other dogs. The woman on the other side had her cocker on a flexi and wasn't paying a bit of attention. The dog walked all the way around the other side of the counter. Past where the receptionists were sitting and then came straight into my dog's space. The woman and the receptionist both blamed my dog for the little squirmish that ensued even though I moved my dog away immediately. Luckily, I have a new vet who is so much better about that stuff.
Jen (SLC) April 3rd, 2008 09:36:00 AM
I hate Flexi's. Mostly because no one seems to train their dog anymore. They can just let it out 20 feet and ignore it. Going for walks or jogging can be unpleasant when people let their dog all the way out on the flexi. And I hate how they think it's ok, because "he's friendly!" Just cause he's friendly doesn't mean I want to interact with him, get jumped on, or drooled on. Worse, I see people walking dogs on flimsy flexi's and being dragged along. That always makes me nervous, since you know the person isn't in control.
I also had the lovely experience the last time I was at the vet with one of my cats, someone with their dog on a flexi that they kept letting out. And he wouldn't leave my cat's carrier alone! Kitty doesn't like to travel, let alone have someone's hyperactive terrier sniffing at his carrier. And the dingbat owner thought it was funny.
Raven's Mom April 3rd, 2008 09:52:00 AM
Like Jen, I too use a retractable to hike with my Husky in low use areas. He's a runner, and this allows him to explore a bit, without running off or chasing widlife. But I am always ready to reel him in quickly and he is well-trained to my commands. I never us the retractable at the park, in places where there are a lot of dogs or on sidewalks where it would be a hazard to him or others.
I have had many bad experiences with dogs on 6-8 foot leashes, as well as retractables, or those allowed to run loose in busy places like parks, running up to or lunging at my dog (who as a rescued sled dog was attacked while confined) has a fear of and some aggression towards unfamiliar dogs getting in his face, espcecially when he knows he is "trapped" by being on leash. And people with small dogs are the worst - they seem to think because they can yank them around, they don't need to be in control.
They are a great tool for well-trained dogs and people, in the right places. But like so many things, they are misused.
BTW, love your blog, Dr. Khuly!
Di April 3rd, 2008 09:55:00 AM
I HATE FLEXI LEADS!
I could sell 3-4 a day at my store, and refuse to. Why? Most people would rather let their dog run ahead of them then properly train it to walk.
Like Raven's Mom, people assume that they can let their dog meet whoever on a flexi lead. My dog walker was taking my Pomeranians Parker and Jack for a walk the other day. Almost immediately, he comes back in with them. They were at the corner when a woman with a Weim on a flexi lead saw Parker and Jack and recognized them from the store. Now, my dogs are always behind the counter at the store, and I rarely let them meet other dogs. The woman doesn't bother to lock the flexi (instead shouts "MY DOG IS FRIENDLY!"), and as my dog walker is trying to pick them up so they don't meet face to face, the Weim bounds into Parker's face. What did Parker do? Bite the dog on the nose!!! Being a vascular place, it bled a lot. Not bad enough to necessitate a vet visit, but badly enough. I felt bad (especially since she was on her way into my store to buy stuff!), even though it wasn't Parker's fault, so I have her some free treats.
What kills me is when people with puppies ask for retractable leashes. Since I don't sell them (and am very frank about why I don't), they generally walk out with a flat leash.
Another peeve of mine is people coming into my store- a pet boutique- and not locking the leash. We have a large sign that states "Flexi Leads Must Be Locked at ALL TIMES", but people don't read. Instead, the dog will be 10 feet away from them lifting their leg or knocking down our displays. And, god forbid we nicely ask them to lock their leash!
What is the appeal of the flexi lead? If you need the length of one, there are plenty of flat 10-30 foot leads available. That way you can let your dog sniff and roam, but if you need to pull them back you can actually do so. You're not at the mercy of a thin piece of string.
Katie April 3rd, 2008 10:38:00 AM
so its not the leash its the idiot owner I love retractors but i also train my dogs
james April 3rd, 2008 10:59:00 AM
You're absolutely right, james. If we "hate" retractable leashes because some owners misuse them, then we also hate leashes, dogs, cars, medications, and on and on. People are the problem. Focusing on the wrong thing (the type of leash, lack of leash, dog's size/breed, etc.) usually means our disdain is diverted from the true cause: the irresponsible owner.
I honestly don't "get" the venom for retractable leashes, even with some of the anecdotes. Most of the stories I hear and read involve multiple negligent dog owners deciding their own negligence is less than the others'. Where responsible owners don't allow dangerous or nuisance behaviours in their dogs, there are no problems. And maybe this is why so many people don't seem to understand what I mean when I say, "...most dog owners are irresponsible."
When I see someone allowing his/her dog to be a nuisance or a danger (especially given my esperience, and knowledge that it takes minutes, typically, to correct most of those behaviours), my venom is directed at the owner, not the dog, and of course not an inanimate object like a leash. Good grief!
I've seen enough problems involving people with good ol' fashioned leashes to know it's not the kind of leash, but the degree of negligence exhibited by the owner.
Marjorie April 3rd, 2008 11:12:00 AM
I own one, and I use it occasionally when we're out in the middle of nowhere and it's okay for my dog to be roaming all over the place (though, truth be told, a flat 20 foot cotton leash is far more comfortable to hold), but there are appropriate places for dogs to be roaming 20 feet from me, and there are places where it is not appropriate, and far too many flexi-users are apparently incapable of understanding the difference.
It is not ok to come into the vet's office and let your dog run up to another dog, no matter what leash you're using. But when your dog is six feet from you, that's a whole lot different than your dog is 18 feet from you, should something happen. It's also a lot harder to let your dog run behind the counter, to run into the hallway behind the exam rooms where they shouldn't be, etc, when your dog can go no further than six feet from you. Sometimes it seems to me like either the locks are broken, or peoples' thumbs are. Honestly.
(And then, of course, there are the people who walk in the door and let go of the leash completely. What's up with that?)
katie April 3rd, 2008 12:15:00 PM
I was all set to post that I love my retractable leash and have my dog under total control with it. (like some others already have)
Then I thought about it a bit, and realized I've never crossed paths with another person with a dog on a retracto that I really trusted had control of their animal.
Maybe the real problem is not that they're inherently unsafe...but that you just can't trust the person on the other end of a retracto. They may be an expert thumb-jockey, or have their dog expertly trained, but then again the could be completely incompetent and that dog could lunge at you or your dog.
I'm not sure whether I'll give up my retracto for long walks around the lake, but I do understand better why some folks approach with trepidation when they cross paths with me and my dog. Even though I usually have her reeled in to a couple feet well before we get to anyone, I'm still placing the burden of trust on them that I'm a responsible dog owner.
It's kind of the same as riding your bike against traffic. Theoretically it is safer to ride with traffic. . .but only if you trust the people in the cars more than you do yourself.
Larry April 3rd, 2008 12:33:00 PM
I think Larry has a fantastic point. It is perhaps that trust issue that brings about the venomness response to flexis.
I agree it is a tool, however you'll never find me using one and I am also a dog trainer. I am small and have small hands and have never felt that I could hold the handle should the leash get jerked by any dog. (they are trained but nothing is foolproof) I prefer the loop of a good old fashioned leash around my wrist. (and yes I know that holds more risk for my wrist but I'll take it)
I also think that flexis teach dogs to pull on the leash. Hey if I pull against this I sometimes get more leash. Hence more pulling. Remember that we are talking about the majority of people who do NOT train their dogs to heel, let alone train them not to pull on leash. Majorie you are simply in the minority of dog owners in this regard.
It may be a bad assumption but I also stay away from owners using flexis. I also just don't trust the user after seeing to many incidents of misuse of them. At least on a 6 foot lead you know where the dog will run out of space trying to get to you and your dog and can react accordingly.
I do agree they CAN be useful in some cases. But not without proper training on leash pulling first and not in the hands of the ignorant "dope on a rope" irresponsible owner.
It may be just a tool for some, but for others it has become an enemy they have had to combat with the use of evasive manuvers. With good reason in to many cases unfortunatly.
Marie April 3rd, 2008 03:35:00 PM
i subscribe to the cesar millan school of thought that says when you take your dog on a walk, the dog should walk WITH YOU, not 5-10-20 feet ahead/behind/around you. the idea that it should be an interactive activity between your dog and yourself makes the most sense to me. i have a Silky-Haired Terrier, and though his leash is a 5ft leash, when i walk him i have never allowed him to have more than 2 feet of leash. Zorro walks at my side or not at all.
however, late at night, after ALL the other dog walkers in the neighborhood are asleep, i do take my bengal cat out on a flexi leash. i've never had a single issue with it, but then, we've never met another person on our nightly walks either. I find the flexi works best for my cat because, unlike my dog, he wont walk next to me happily. even so, he doesnt get more an four feet ahead before im reeling him back.
charity April 3rd, 2008 03:46:00 PM
I have a dog that went through a period of anxiety last year, both around people that she knew and around strangers. We used the flexi as a tool to help build up her confidence again. On a flat leash, she would get anxious because she knew she could only get 6 feet away from scary things, but on the flexi she would stay more calm because she knew she could run a lot farther away. She never did run as far as the end of the flexi, but knowing that she could seemed to make her feel better.
Now that she's back to the more normal dog behavior of wanting to greet people rather than running away, we don't need the flexi as often. We do live in an apartment complex with a very strict leash rule, and a very tempting large grassy lot for romping in... The flexi lets us play and run in the grass while not getting kicked out of our apartment :)
Megan April 3rd, 2008 05:00:00 PM
I got my australian terrier when he was 7, and he had never been on a lead - he followed his previous owner on cross country runs, and before that ran around the farm on his own and was not taken for walks.
I persisted with leash training for two years, before I gave up and got a retractable leash. best thing I ever did. He is a small dog, and reasonably obedient, but his urge to sniff and wander is greater than his desire to walk beside me calmly on a short lead.
He also has a collapsing trachea, which means he needs to be walked in a harness, which means he can more easily pull, although we did work on that (since they can still pull on a retractable lead - just further away). I made him walk all the way back to me each time he pulled, and he soon stopped.
I taught him Wait, which is invaluable - in other words, stop moving and stay there until I say OK. Great for roads, and other hazards, as he has no road sense whatsoever.
I still have to watch him, but most of our walks are on trails, away from traffic, and our village is reasonably quiet traffic wise anyway.
I think what is worse is dogs that are allowed to run loose but the owner has no control - dog is miles ahead, threatening another dog, and they call it over and over again, but the dog ignores them. I encounter that a lot.
Robin April 3rd, 2008 05:47:00 PM
Marjorie, I am pretty much in agreement but the difference with your car annology is that
A) If someone ran into our car their car would also be damaged, something people tend to avoid due to the expence they would incur for themselves. Sadly many people protect their cars more than their dogs.
and B) the police have to routinely take impared drivers off the road who DO use their cars inappropriately or unsafely. We don't have that in dog leash rules because aside from "a dog must be leashed" areas there are rarely any other rules regarding them.
As to dogs being naughty and coming up to your well socialized dog that is great, but not all dogs are well socialized. And not all dogs are that way because of their current owner either. (i.e.rescues) Or are breeds that will take the blame should an incident happen no matter WHICH dog started the problem. Not all dogs get along and not all dogs greet well on leash. Especially if one is allowed to run up on another dog quickly.
There is nothing quite as stressful as being on the end of a leash of a dog who isn't great with other dogs and having another run up on you. Been there, done that, not fun. It took me years to learn how to relax on walks because of some bad experiences I had in the past. (pre-trainer days)
I am still VERY careful where I walk with my dogs. I never allow greetings to my dogs while on walks unless I am sure it is a good match and then only if done appropriately. My akita is well socialized and very appropriate with other dogs but I refuse to put him in a position where some other ding dong's dog causes him to get snarky. Because I have found in my years of akita ownership people love to blame the big bad akita. (insert other so called bad breeds here as well)
I personally would love to require puppy classes for ALL puppy owners and a course on dog behavior included for all dog adoptions. (Not much into government mucking with my daily liberties so not sure how that could be done but boy wouldn't it be nice!)
Great discussion!
Marie April 3rd, 2008 09:03:00 PM
I hate them, too. They are unsafe most of the time and a hazard in populated areas - tangles are almost a given. They teach dogs to pull on the lead. The clicking is extremely irritating to me.
Someone lent me one to try. I tried it. I hated the handle, soft leather would be better. I hated the feeling of flying a kite, not walking a dog. I'd much rather let my dog run loose in appropriate areas and walk in control on a 6-foot leather lead at other times.
I know a Flyball competitor who likes the flexi for one of her dogs, who wants to be farther away to eliminate. She uses it for that reason in the morning and at night when they are travelling. That seems a reasonable purpose for it.
As for your aunt, the other dog was basically off-lead and not under voice control in my opinion, so it wasn't her fault.
Caveat April 3rd, 2008 11:19:00 PM
I use a flexi every day with one of my dogs. He needs a lot more exercise than I do so this is the best answer for us.
However I use it properly: He responds to my voice, I never let him have more than two feet of lead going round a corner, near another person or animal etc.. He walks well on a loose lead until I tell him he can go and romp around on the end of lead – no pulling allowed either. He burns off a lot of mental and physical energy running off to sniff the nearest tree and returning to me when called, walking quietly beside me before being sent ahead again and so on.
You do need to use foresight and keep a look out for hazards and being practiced with the mechanism is vital before taking the dog out with it. And yes, I do see lots of hyper little dogs particularly marauding about with their bemused owners in tow on the end of a retractable lead – which the people seem to believe must be used at full length at all times – they just don’t seem to realize that you can actually use it at a much shorter length, too.
I have also modified mine in one important way and that is to add a webbing loop to the handle – I know I’d drop the thing 10 times an hour without it and it allows me to have my hands free for poop pick ups etc. I think a loop like this should actually come as part of the lead.
I don’t believe that a six foot, or shorter, lead guarantees responsible control of a dog. On a few occasions I’ve even had dogs on ineptly handled six foot leads lunge at us and come way too close to my dog who was walking at my side on his retracted and locked flexi.
I would never, never contemplate using a flexi lead at the vets or anywhere like that. I even shorten up my adjustable six foot webbing lead to about 4 feet when using it for that purpose. The only thing possibly worse than a dog on a flexi in a waiting room would be the unrestrained cats I see every time I go into my local vets to buy dog food - they really give me the willies! Least favorite cat-containment device seen recently – regular plastic laundry basket with pillow in the bottom!
Alison April 4th, 2008 03:56:00 AM
I LOATHE these things. I have no experience, ever, with owners who used them "properly" or "in the right place." But I did once watch a Chow being walked on one take a piece out of my ex-husband's calf--after ex-hub, seeing the flexi, walked a wide berth around Chow and owner.
Laurel April 4th, 2008 06:52:00 AM
Marie, yes it is a good discussion. And I don’t like that I seem to be beating a dead horse in attempting to more precisely clarify my bewilderment for the 'one size fits all' derision of retractable leashes. There are pros and cons to everything in life. But to read some of the comments, there is no proper way to use, or benefits of, retractable leashes.
Some of the claims, though, are downright comical. It’s just a self-rewinding piece of ribbon or cord, folks. It’s not the spawn of satan.
It won’t make your dog aggressive or magically begin pulling its leash. Dogs just aren’t that stupid, even if their handlers are.
Since I’ve never had a problem with a retractable leash (or controlling a dog), I’m starting to ‘wonder’ about those who openly admit they can’t seem to master such a simple device.
I teach dogs to heel in a matter of hours. They heel when I say, “heel,” no matter what type of leash I’m using, if I’m using one at all. It ain’t rocket science. It's just good ol' fashioned training. If you refuse to train your dog, that’s one thing. Admit it. But don’t blame your leash for not training your dog.
And with so many insinuations that dogs with behaviour problems should be provided an environment where they can continue behaving inappropriately, I must point out that, over the 30 years I trained dogs, and more specifically the last decade or so, where I specialized in re-training aggressive dogs (it can always be done, by the way), I worked almost exclusively with shelter/rescue dogs that were already scheduled for euthanasia due to serious behaviour problems. All my own dogs (and cats) have come from shelters/rescues, as well. In other words, I don’t ‘preach’ anything I don’t practice.
When one properly trains and socializes a dog, it won’t, then, elicit strong reactions from other dogs. I know that’s not a concept which is easy to describe, or for many to grasp, it is nonetheless true that fearful, excitable, or aggressive dogs (otherwise poorly-socialized dogs) are more likely to be the target of other dogs’ aggression. Properly-socialized dogs just don’t incite a strong reaction in other dogs because they know how to communicate their desires properly. Well-socialized dogs are more likely to diffuse an encounter with an aggressive dog, rather than escalate it. It is always possible to re-socialize dogs, if they’ve been the victims of unfortunate circumstances. I mean…that’s pretty much all I did!
I have to say, I find the open hostility towards retractable leashes not only puzzling, but a bit frightening. “Hate” is a very strong word. People who use the word hate so capriciously must have a lot of hate in their hearts, I think.
Some of you have opened my eyes…really. I never knew that when I was walking perfectly-behaved dogs on retractable ribbon leashes, at heel, to the entrance of a park, and then allowing them to have more freedom and exercise via a retractable leash, and never allowing them to be a nuisance (much less a danger) to anyone, there were sanctimonious nutjobs viewing that as “dangerous” or an indication I’m ignorant of (in mocking, spooky voice) “all the dangers” theorized to go hand-in-hand with retractable leash use.
I always thought well-behaved dogs spoke for themselves, and responsible dog owners shouldn’t be lumped together with those who aren’t.
I guess I was wrong.
Marjorie April 4th, 2008 08:59:00 AM
I had a client whose small dog was killed in front of a car when her flexi broke. She darted out in traffic (in the city), owner pressed the button in a panic, and the line snapped.
I hate these leashes too. Owners never seem to actually have the button depressed to make the line manageable.
clover April 4th, 2008 09:34:00 AM
Here's a link to the article I was referring to, in my first comment:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/g/a/2...
"Internet e-mail lists are full of dire warnings about them. Many trainers despise them. Some parks actually prohibit them. What exactly is the problem with retractable leashes such as the Flexi leash?
Like most tools, nothing. They're actually extremely useful, and when used properly, make walks a lot more fun for owner and dog. The catch is that little phrase, 'used properly.'"
I don't agree with everything the author wrote, but most of it is just common sense. Read it, and check out the comments. There are lots of retractable leash fans out there, which only goes to prove it's not the tool that's the problem, it's the "tool" holding it. ;-)
Marjorie April 4th, 2008 09:36:00 AM
Call me a hater too.
I have never seen a single person use a flexi with ANY degree of responsibility in the city. 99% of the time I see dogs wandering around while the owner is on a cell phone. They give a false sense of security for the person walking the dog that their dog is somehow under some type of control when the reality is it may as well be off lead. Not to take it to a completely dramatic degree, but it's not unlike people's feelings about guns. And in a sense (as the owner of a 7# dog who could be snatched up, bitten, stepped on and HAS BEEN trampled on by so called 'friendly' dogs) dogs on flexi's are loaded weapons. I just think that if say - 90% of flexi owners are irresponsible, and 10% are not- 90% is still a lot to deal with for dog owners that are trying their best to train their dogs to be well-behaved and socialized in a safe environment. It's too bad for the 10% that use them responsibly, but if an irresponsible dog owner has a dog on a 6 foot lead, you can quickly remove yourself and your dog from a potentially bad situation. If it's a 30' flexi, where the heck can you escape to? It's ridiculous.
I think your Aunt is NOT at fault, the other owner is.
Creature of Habit April 4th, 2008 09:39:00 AM
Satan's leashes.
Way to turn an untrained dog into a lethal weapon.
I've been the mast in a crazed boxer's maypole dance in the aisles of a pet-supply store. Dog's owner did nothing until I managed to open my Swiss Army knife. That my three dogs -- also incorporated into this free-form macrame project -- did not decide to eat that dog is a testament to their belief in forbearance.
If your dog is trained to off-leash reliability, then you don't need a flexi-lead.
If your dog is not trained to off-leash reliability, then you cannot use one safely. Get a real leash and enroll in a training class.
Oh, and one mode of failure I haven't seen mentioned yet -- when the klutz of an owner drops the (heavy, awkward, slippery) handle, and the shy, flighty dog runs for the hills -- not coming back because (a) she isn't trained, of course and (b) she is being chased by this THING that just keeps bouncing after her. I've twice found dogs in the woods, finally entangled by their pursuing flexis, wrapped up in the nylon equivalent of piano wire, cut, abraded, and terrified -- and miles from where they bolted.
H Houlahan April 4th, 2008 09:50:00 AM
Free-form macrame and maypole dance...priceless verbal visual--thanks!
Dr. Patty Khuly April 4th, 2008 10:24:00 AM
Houlahan~ I chocked on my tea! Excellent description and I love the new term "satan's leashes"....that cracked me up!
Creature of Habit April 4th, 2008 11:01:00 AM
Sorry - I choked, not chocked.
Stupid keyboard.
Creature of Habit April 4th, 2008 11:02:00 AM
I have flexi leashes for my mutts. It's not a big deal as I only use them while putzing around the yard. If they are going to the vets or elsehwere, I put a 6 foot leather leash on them. *shrugs*
Last summer I scrapped some woman's black lab cross off the street as the owner used a flex leash all the time to walk her dog. The leash snapped as my neighbors dog was running around loose and the lab cross took offense to it. The lab was hit by a car and killed instantly and my neighbor was fined for allowing their German Shepard to run loose. It only took the town almost 2 years of this dog running around all over the place before they did anything about it.
Stacy April 4th, 2008 12:02:00 PM
"If your dog is trained to off-leash reliability, then you don't need a flexi-lead."
The reason I do is simple, high energy dog+leash law. I don't want to make the dog stick to my slow moving heels when it is not necessary.
emily April 4th, 2008 02:42:00 PM
Larry: Exactly. I watch for flexis with the same vigilance I use to guard against oncoming vehicles.
If everyone who owned a dog were as concientious as Marjorie, as skilled a trainer, and with time to train, the problems associated with retractos would be greatly reduced. Unfortunately, the reality is that a person has to jump through more qualifying hoops to fold T-shirts at the Gap than they do to adopt and walk a toothy, 90-lb animal, so the question is: Which is more practical, educating the masses or banning retractos?
After being knocked over several times by well-meaning but poorly managed dogs, my arthritic golden shows severe fear agression toward every dog that approaches her. I have trained dogs for nearly 30 years and have no trouble handling her, but there isn't much I can do to prevent an ugly confrontation when someone's 10-pound sweetheart is allowed the entire length of a flexi and impulsively uses it to place itself directly under my dog's mouth. My dog does not want to "just say hi," and the unintimidating stature and good nature of Sweetie does not change that. Sweetie is not being impish and delightful. She is being impolite and her owner's lack of awareness has put her at risk.
Nearly every day I have to outmaneuver dogs on flexis, and am endlessly frustrated by exuberant rotties (or Labaradors, or whatever-doodles) that are allowed to bounce in and destroy weeks and weeks of behavior modification work. Mostly, though, I am astounded by the number of obviously caring "guardians" who put their pets at risk this way.
As long as owners talk on their phones or chat with their walking buddies while their dogs range twenty-six feet away like live bait, I hold out very little hope that a good PR campaign will persuade them to use flexis responsibly and invest time and money in a reputable obedience class. They are "good" pet owners, and they they don't recognize their contribution to the problem.
It isn't the flexi's fault, but wishing people had better judgment, encouraging responsibility, good stewardship, and self-education, and filling daytime talk shows and newsletters with "Pet owners should do this, and they must do that," isn't an effective solution; it's just the one that makes us feel tolerant and good--at the expense of our pets' safety.
Jane April 4th, 2008 06:15:00 PM
Scary stuff, jane. You don't like retractable leashes, so no one else should be able to use them, even if they're more responsible than you? Frightening. It's just like breed bans. The popular view may be that dogs of a certain type are dangerous when not responsibly-owned, which leads to a call for them to be banned because, "We just can't trust people to be responsible with them." Sound familiar? Same $#!+, different day.
And I have to say, I laughed when I read what you wrote about me, personally. I've described NOTHING BUT how easy and quick it is to properly train dogs. (I taught basic dog training and responsible dog ownership...completely for free...for many years.) Dog owners can even get training advice for free from the public library or on the Internet. Walking your dog is free. Supervising your dog is free. Training takes minutes per day. Most people spend more time cuddling their dogs than they do training. It's a total cop out to say they're "too busy."
"...Too ignorant," "too inconsiderate" or "too lazy" is more like it.
Stop blaming the rest of us for the problems created by people with whom we have nothing in common.
Marjorie April 5th, 2008 04:04:00 PM
Jane, I have never seen a 26 foot long Flexi!?! Mine is 16 feet long and although some may be a little longer I don't think 26 footers are available. Many are actually only about 12 feet.
I don't think they are ever going to be banned - there are worse things out there that will also never be banned - like cars for instance. However, if someone fails to control their dog when it on a Flexi - or any other type of lead for that matter, I would think they well could, and should be, held liable for any damage or injury caused by their negligence. I also think that the cheap retractable leads available in variety stores should be pulled off the market - they are just plain dangerous but so too are the cheaper collars, harnesses and leads.
Alison April 6th, 2008 12:36:00 AM
First: 26-foot flexis are available from several online vendors. Google them, if you like. That's what I did while writing my first post.
I am not blaming you for anything Marjorie. I'm not sure what I said that led you to that conclusion. What I was trying to say was that flexis wouldn't be a problem if people who used them were as conscientious as you are. I don't have a problem with any dog--on or off a leash--that is well-behaved, reliable, and with its owner.
Training dogs is not difficult and it does not take much time. It does take self discipline, consistency, and education--from a trainer, a class, a behaviorist, a book, etc. What seems obvious to me is that many owners choose not to take those steps and that leads to problems with flexis (among other things). Many owners relinquish pets because of behavior problems. These issues could be resolved, but the owners are unwilling. The pet becomes inconvenient and it is discarded. Others relinquish pets because the poor animal doesn't match their couch. These are the sorts of things that make me hesitant to place a lot of faith in the idea that all owners are remediable when it comes to handling their dogs. My goodness, we can't even convince everyone to stop abusing or tethering their pets; educating them about the proper use of flexis seems a long way off.
I really don't think banning them is necessary. I was responding to the people who's central argument seemed to be that the flexis aren't to blame; ir is the people are at fault. I agree with that, and was only trying to point out why people target the flexis as the problem: because it's easier to change a leash than it is to change a large and diverse group of people for whom their pets may not be a top priority.
I assume the comparison between banning leashes and banning breeds was a similar absurdity used for effect. These obviously are not parallel issues if for no other reason than one is plastic and nylon and the other is flesh and blood. The decision to discard a leash seems a tiny bit less weighty and burdened with far fewer implications than arbitrarily discarding a life.
What I am wondering: Since people seem to have concerns about flexis, what are the viable solutions? It's nice to blow off steam and express frustration, but what comes next? Alison makes a good point. Perhaps quality control in manufacturing would help. I don't know, but if not banning, then what? (Note: The preceding statement is not meant to either support or oppose flexi bans. "Banning" is used here only to provide contrast.)
Jane April 6th, 2008 10:41:00 PM
jane, I think we're both saying the same thing, but drawing different conclusions.
You (and others) seem to be saying that most dog owners are irresponsible (in this case, in the use of their retractable leashes), so we have to accept that. (i.e. Since so many people are going to continue to be careless, it would be better to only allow them to be careless using a regular leash.)
I (and a few others) agree most people are choosing to be irresponsible, so we should blame them, not their dogs, and certainly not inanimate objects, like their (much less our) leashes. (i.e. When an owner is allowing his/her dog to be a nuisance on a retractable leash, I don't look at the leash and think, 'Oh I wish those didn't exist.' Rather, I look at the owner and think, 'WTF? Why don't you train your dog properly?')
The problem is clearly irresponsible owners, and not retractable leashes, per se. The solution, though, would be fewer irresposnible owners. (I know. That's a pretty big, darn near impossible goal.) After all, there's never going to be some kind of test to be able to purchase a retractable leash (just like there's no test to buy a dog, or chain, prong or electric shock collars), and it would be unfair to punish responsible users for the acts of those who choose to be negligent.
We'll only get fewer irresponsible dog owners through education. People can only do better, once they know better. We simply can't legislate courtesy or common sense. It's why I spent so many years teaching and promoting responsible dog ownership. When dog owners behave in (truly) responsible ways (none of which have anything to do with intelligence, copious amounts of free time, or overt wealth, mind you), the number of dog-related problems plummets. (Responsible dog ownership is good for dogs, too!) We see this readily when comparing whole regions to one another.
Where animal control is not a priority, there are no public educational campaigns, and enforcement is haphazard or arbitrary, we see lots of dog-related problems.
Where the approach is more comprehensive, and based on fair, sound principles, we see fewer dog-related problems occurring.
In Calgary, Canada, for instance, where they have one of the most successful dog control strategies around, there are relatively few dog-related problems of any kind. Fewer dog bites. Fewer stray dogs. Fewer off-leash dogs in on-leash areas. And so on. A city of just over a million people, they have one of the lowest dog bite rates of any major city in North America.
Their success goes back to a mix of public education and active enforcement. (The importance of training and socialization are emphasized - with over 100 off-leash parks means there's no excuse for failing to socialize one's dog. Licensing is enforced, and the city boasts over 90% compliance. For that licensing fee, you not only get a number of services available to you, but should your dog ever get loose, it will be returned to you at no charge. Bill Bruce, a representative of Calgary's animal control department, says they refer to dog owners as "customers". A complaint against your dog means a visit from animal control with educational materials regarding responsible dog ownership and training. They try to prevent problems, rather than wait to punish people after the fact.)
Calgary animal control targets habitually-negligent owners, which solves most of the more serious problems. (Bad owners raise one poorly-behaved dog after another. So getting at the hard-core irresponsible owners makes a big difference.) Encouraging well-meaning dog owners to be more responsible, makes up the difference. With one of the lowest dog bite rates around, cities like Calgary should be the model for the rest. And if their reduction in dog-related problems isn't enough of an incentive, Calgary's animal control is entirely self-funded, through licensing, by-law enforcement (and the fines that result from any acts of non-compliance) and the hefty fines assigned to more egregious acts of owner negligence. Calgary's animal control budget is about $3.7 million. It doesn't cost the city at all.
My point is, education is really the key to making social change. Punitive measures only help to give the fence-sitters a slight (rather negative) incentive to change (or more likely, not to get caught).
Social attitudes about dogs vary from region to region, and play a significant part in how dog owners see themselves. For example, I teach resposnible dog ownership. So, naturally, I embody the spirit of that philosophy. Yet I actually had woman march up to me at an on-leash public park, along with her off-leash Borzoi, and demand to know why my dog was leashed. "Uh, it's illegal for dogs to be off-leash here," I managed to mumble. Maybe she was just so passionate about off-leash socialization (I am too), she didn't consider how flouting the animal control laws tends to exacerbate anti-dog sentiments, and make life difficult for all dog owners...even those of us already doing what's right? When I lived in that city, I liked to remind people there were at least 30 off-leash areas for dogs. Whether you're for, or against, dogs being off-leash, you can either go to one of 30 off-leash parks, or the more than 970 that require leashes.
Ultimately, I would always opt for education over punitive measures, whenever possible. More responsible dog owners would mean fewer problems, in general. Better education about the use of, and problems associated with, retractable leashes WILL ultimately mean fewer problems with their use. (Maybe those who believe this is a serious-enough issue should contact the manufacturers, and encourage them to put more emphasis on safety, in any instructional materials that come with the device?)
But no matter what, we'll always be talking about an individual's choice to be irresponsible, rather than retractable leashes being inherently bad or having no beneficial use.
Marjorie April 7th, 2008 11:34:00 AM
I think most folks who hate Flexi's are those who have dogs that don't know their limits. I've used a Flexi from day one when my dog was a puppy. I've never had problems with him pulling or wandering far.
Joyce April 17th, 2008 10:01:00 PM
My dog is very well trained, and instead of a person or another dog getting injured, it was herself that got her feet almost amputated. Mocha my German Shepherd, who is trained off leash, and on, and my mother were outside playing in the snow. Since it was snowing alot out, my mother put on a new retractable lead. Well since she was trained it was working out fine. Until a deer ran across our yard, and dont tell me if a deer runs across the yard the dog wont chase it. Well the lead got wrapped around her feet somehow, and not even a second later the dog clapsed on the ground whimpering. With two badly injured paws, one almost to the bone, my mother ushed the dog to the vet. Now after one operation, she needs daily dressing changes, all over a simple accident. I like the leashes for dogs are are 5 pounds or so. But after they hit a certain weight use a regular lead. The vet that we go to wants all of its customers to not use the leads anymore and have a huge poster with her pictures up.
Stephanie February 3rd, 2009 06:51:31 PM
I've been using a flexi for almost 4 years and never had any of the issues or problems mentioned here. I agree that they may not be for everydog, but for mine, it works just fine.
Joyce March 27th, 2009 01:07:07 AM
If dog owners are looking for a an alternative to retractable leashes but something that gives them control and extra length then they should try the stretchable ROK leash from ROKstraps. They are available at ROKdog.net
Rich May 13th, 2009 12:35:23 PM
I have to agree with the DR. The retractable leashes are horrible! I have tripped over them myself many times. I looked into the Rok Stretch Leashes and bought one. They are great! I bought it at rokdog.net. Here's a picture
Karin June 10th, 2009 02:06:32 PM
There is NEVER a time for a retractable leash! I hate them!!!!!! WITH A PASSION!!!!!!!! It all started when my cousin got his Rodesian Ridgeback puppy. At 15 pounds the retractable leash was fine. But at 30 pounds I realized that it was just stupid. The heavier the dog the more momentum he can build & that will just pop the leash right out of my hand. That was when we got rid of the retractable leash for good. Good thing too. I find it hard to hold a normal leash when the now 90 pound dog see a squirrel. But now I hate them not just for big dogs but for small dogs as well. I am a cyclist. Several mornings a week when I am riding down the street I pass a woman with a little white lap dog. The dog sees me & takes off after me. Now imagine the situation. This is how it almost always happens. The woman is standing three feet from the road. The dog is 12 feet away from her in someones yard sniffing. Then it sees me & takes off after me. The dog always gets about halfway into the road before the leash retracts enough to secure it. One of these days a car will be passing in the opposite direction as me when the dog decides to jump into the road. Or worse on my part. I might actually run over it. That is why for the last few weeks I have been telling her "That leash is going to kill your dog" every time I pass. I am an animal lover & have had countless pets in my lifetime. It is beyond me that a person can be so ignorant about their pets safty. I want to hand her a rope with a clip on it. That is all a leash is! A rope with a clip!
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