I bought this really awesome flexi when Gonzo was less than 1 year old, I only use it on trails/open areas, not in or near the street. But, when I got home from vaccation one night, he was super excited so I just took him for a run on his flexi (there are no cars anywhere in my town after 9 PM ), and he was so hyped up that he ran around a tree and came racing back to me and snapped the flexi! It lasted 3 years, though, and it only cost $25-ish. I would never use one anywhere near busy roads, ever. It does come in handy when you don't want to walk off-leash but there is space for them to roam.