Question About Retractable Leashes

[Suki Wingy]

no, but he's broken a chain leash and a tie out before lunging at our old neighbor. (He gets really mad that she's scared of him.) I use one occasionally when we run in the field that is meant for 45 lb dogs and he's 55 lbs.

[bckrazy]

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.

[vinjashira]

Snowy's old retractable leashes broke not long ago after almost 2 years. It was a cord one for dogs up to 15kg (Snowy is less than 5kg). I bought a new one which is a webbing one for dogs up to 35kg which will hopefully last longer. I like the new one as the webbing is easier to hold or pull when I have to.

I disagree strongly that retractable leashes are the worst leashes, I salute the people who invented them. Walking Snowy in the summer, when people are picnicking everywhere and leave the food lying around, or on places that you are legally bound to use a leash, or on new places you're not so sure whether they are safe or not, couldn't be better without a retractable leash. She still has a degree of freedom and yet I still have the full control.

[anna_66]

I have three, one for each dog (since they are different weights) and I've never had one break, not even with my 150+ lb dog Bon. But then again we don't go too many places we could use them much.
I like the fact if we're somewhere they could roam a little I can let them with the flexi leash.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

See what I mean about presumptuousness?

Fact of the matter is is that retractable leashes are not effective as has been proven by this thread. Just about every single person who has replied has stated that at one time or another their "flxi-lead" has broken on them

I own a 70lb retired racing American Greyhound, an 81lbs active racer and a 61lbs active racer. All of them are walked on 6ft leather leads and are always in complete control when on walks. They neither stray into people's yards, picnics, streets.. their leads don't entangle people's or other dogs legs and they DONT BREAK.

[shihtzulover850]

See what I mean about presumptuousness?

Fact of the matter is is that retractable leashes are not effective as has been proven by this thread. Just about every single person who has replied has stated that at one time or another their "flxi-lead" has broken on them

I own a 70lb retired racing American Greyhound, an 81lbs active racer and a 61lbs active racer. All of them are walked on 6ft leather leads and are always in complete control when on walks. They neither stray into people's yards, picnics, streets.. their leads don't entangle people's or other dogs legs and they DONT BREAK.

So what nothing is perfect. Sooner or later EVERYTHING will break shatter or bust. There is nothing wrong with retractable leashes! Have you ever even owned one??? I have had one for a few years now. Ever since we first got Snuggles. And it hasn't broken. We are looking for a new one because it is old and scratched from all the times I have dropped it but still it is in one piece and perfectly usable. You have large dogs so naturally they would break it easier than my 10 pound shih tzu would. No matter what the weight limit is I don't think they are for larger dogs. Some dogs are just not as well trained as others. It just depends on your dog. And if you have to keep your dogs on six feet at all times then obviously if they had more leeway they would take advantage of it and start tangling. But they are retractable so when you get closer to the dog you have more control. Also most are built with a locking feature.

[caseysmom]

See what I mean about presumptuousness?

Actually I think its pretty presumptuous to lump all retractable leash users into the same heap.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

Actually I think its pretty presumptuous to lump all retractable leash users into the same heap.

Think what you may.. but, my stance is based on experience. The vast majority of people, no matter what they say on a forum, let their dogs extend their lead in order to go "say hi" to strange dogs. Thusly, lengthening the lead only serves to highten the possibility of something (an altercation or the lead wrapping around legs or breaking) occuring.

I stand by my orginal statement in that I HATE them.

[wolf_Q]

I agree that they shouldn't be used around streets and in busy areas. I don't like when I have my dog on a shorter leash and someone else's dog is on one of those bothering my dog and the owner isn't even paying attention. When going on a normal walk I always use a 6 ft normal leash with the extra handle to keep him close to me.

But that said I still think they can be great. Nebo, being a siberian husky, can't be offleash. So when we go hiking I'd like for him to have a bit of room to roam and explore so I use a retractable leashes. If I see people/dogs/wildife nearby I get him closer to me and out of their way. I've never had a problem with one breaking. I prefer the tape leash and I believe the one I have is made for dogs heavier than mine so I think its safer that way.

Just because some people use them incorrectly doesn't mean that retractable leashes in general are a bad thing.

[shihtzulover850]

We don't use Snuggles leash in busy areas but yeah she can't be off leash so the retractable is excellent for that!

[caseysmom]

I agree that they shouldn't be used around streets and in busy areas. I don't like when I have my dog on a shorter leash and someone else's dog is on one of those bothering my dog and the owner isn't even paying attention. When going on a normal walk I always use a 6 ft normal leash with the extra handle to keep him close to me.

But that said I still think they can be great. Nebo, being a siberian husky, can't be offleash. So when we go hiking I'd like for him to have a bit of room to roam and explore so I use a retractable leashes. If I see people/dogs/wildife nearby I get him closer to me and out of their way. I've never had a problem with one breaking. I prefer the tape leash and I believe the one I have is made for dogs heavier than mine so I think its safer that way.

Just because some people use them incorrectly doesn't mean that retractable leashes in general are a bad thing.

Those 20-30ft training leads are great for situations like that also. We go to a lot of beaches that require leashes and I use those so the dogs can run but not get away from me.

[vinjashira]

Just because some people use them incorrectly doesn't mean that retractable leashes in general are a bad thing.

I can not agree with you more. I'm not saying everyone should use it but it is a good thing for me and as I said I still have full control of my dog when I am using a retractable lead. I keep the leash short on busy roads and no I don't let my dog roam in people's yards or let the leash tangling people legs or anything for that matter. and by the way when I said Snowy's extractable lead broke, I meant the extractable leash stopped working correctly, thus needed replacing. I didn't mean the leash broke into two and the dog ran away

[Sevaede]

Actually I think its pretty presumptuous to lump all retractable leash users into the same heap.

I wholeheartedly agree.

Also, Greyhounddad, what *exactly* do people who use retractible leashes presume? How does that make you hate those people, in any case?

The cases that you pointed out may have inadvertently led to a mishap with the lead but that can happen with anything. It seemed to be several cases of faults on the leash handlers part and not the leash itself. I had regular leashes that broke in several spots due to my GS and Rottie/GS breaking them.

[GreyhoundDaddy]

It's presumptuous to think that there aren't inherant problems associated with these leashes. I don't have to point out their problems.. your fellow forum members have illustrated this fact for us several times. And this is just a microcosm of pet ownership.. Imagine all the people out and about who don't post to boards such as this who have problems. Hell, I just got back from walking my girl and a chick with a snarky little pug had it's flexi- extended 20ft and they weren't going to retract it unless I said anything!!! That my friends, is ****** and I don't care what anyone says about it.

Like I said, I have 3 racers (2 active and one retired)... all of whom are walked on 6ft leather leads. None ever break.. know why? Because I buy quality leads to keep not only my dogs safe, but, other people's pets (such as free-range cats) safe from my dogs. I don't have a single lead that is over a year old and I'm not going to wait till a lead breaks or shows signs of wear till I decide to get a new one.

Maybe "hate" is too harsh a word as I certainly don't hate anyone. But, I sure as *** hate those darned 'leads'.

[lisahumphreys882]

I was walking someone elses dog and the leash snapped. Personally from what a lot of people are saying on here about the leash falling out of their hands and it snapping i don't think they're all that great