Caution with Retractable Leashes
Picking the right leash for your dog is an essential part of ownership. A leash is more than just something to keep them close to you, it’s a two way communication device. It builds trust and confidence between you and your dog. It is also something you’re likely to have for years and years. So it’s a choice that should be done with a lot of thought and consideration.
As part of that consideration, it’s worth pointing out a type of leash that is very common among dog owners. The retractable leash is seen as an easy way to have a compact way to have a less confining way of walking your dog. You can stay on the sidewalk, while your dog walks up to 20 feet in front or behind you, and can run freely around to sniff without you having to stop as often. Unfortunately, these perceived benefits are not without their costs. 5 concerns and problems with using retractable leashes include:
The length of a retractable leash means you are far away from your dog during the walk. This means you cannot bring your dog under control or remove them from a dangerous situation quickly. Your dog could wander into the middle of the street without you noticing, or get attacked by an off leash dog around a corner. Retractable leashes lack consistent and reliable control of your dog, something a standard 6ft leash doesn’t suffer from.
Retractable leashes also lack sturdy construction. With their multiple moving parts and pieces, flaws and defects can render them useless. A dog running at full sprint that pulls the leash to its limit, can realistically shatter the handle and pull the components apart. Cheaply made retractable leashes are particularly prone to these defects, but old or well worn retractable leashes can also fail suddenly and spectacularly.
If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.
The bulky or ill fitting handles of retractable leashes means they can easily be pulled out of most peoples hands. When this happens, they retract quickly, pulling themselves closer and closer to the dog. Most dogs do not like the sight, or sound, of this, and will attempt to run away, resulting in you having to now chase your dog.
Beyond the reliability, control, and predictability concerns of a retractable leash, they also teach poor leash manners. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.
Can a retractable leash work in some situations, for some dogs? Absolutely. However, we strongly recommend looking into a standard leash that provides more control and reliability for you and your dog. When you have a piece of equipment so critical to the care and enjoyment of your furry family member, you want to make sure it’s the best possible.
If you want to look into a new leash, we have two recommendations we love!
Rescue Rope Leads are our go-to. We use them daily. Simple and extremely versatile, one lead can be adapted to almost any situation and style of walking. Comfortable in hand, they wear well and come in just about any color imaginable. When you order, use the code ‘iconfess’ for 20% off.
If you’re looking for something more industrial, or are walking multiple dogs at the same time, you need TinyHorse. Meticulously designed and engineered to reduce stress and strain on you, these leads are built to take a beating.
