There’s an old joke about if there’s one thing that two dog trainers can agree on, it’s that the third one is doing it wrong. But if you know me at all, you know I hate online squabbles; I don’t participate in digital fights about training methods or tools. That said, I think I’ve found something that very nearly ALL dog trainers agree on, and that I will defend anywhere, anytime, and it’s this: Retractable leashes have no place in dog training.
It almost reaches the level of a joke: If you go to a dog park or almost any gathering of dog people and their dogs, the worst-behaved dogs will be the ones on retractable leashes. It’s sort of a chicken or the egg thing: What came first, the poorly behaved dog or the leash that teaches him nothing?
I get how convenient it is to be able to walk along with your dog on leash and have your dog stop for a moment to smell something or take a quick pee, and you only have to slow your pace for a moment, rather than stop dead. When he’s through or he hits the end of the retractable line, he can trot to catch up, and you don’t have to scoop up all that line the way you would with a long leash, you can just allow the spring-loaded retractable thingie to wind it up.
However, what do you do when your dog is at or near the end of the line and:
- You are suddenly confronted by a loose dog, looking a little aggressive, coming your way, fast.
- Someone walks quickly out of a storefront, in between you and your dog.
- Your dog suddenly sees a squirrel on the ground across the street and bolts into the street in an effort to reach the squirrel.
The biggest problem is with these and countless other situations, when your dog is more than a couple of feet from you, there is nothing you can do very quickly to get him back to your side. The products can retract only when there is not tension on the line. As you know if you’ve ever used one, you really cannot grab the part of the cord that retracts into the handle and pull even a smallish strong dog back toward you. About the only way you could pull a dog to safety would be to mash the lock button down, while quickly turning in the opposite direction and trying to call or drag your dog in the other direction – depending on whether you’ve trained him to do emergency U-turns or whether he’s engaged already with the other dog or still on the hunt for the squirrel.
And to retract the slack when there is a chaotic situation brewing, like when that loose dog – or even one on leash! – is squaring off with your dog, and they are spinning around? Lock to prevent the dog from getting farther away, release to retract, lock, release, lock, release . . . it’s darned hard to do in calm circumstances.
When I want a dog to explore his environment without taking him off leash, I use a long line – a 20 or even 30-foot leash. I only use a tool like this in an environment where there are NO other people or dogs who might get tangled up with us, and the line is as smooth and easy to handle as my leash; I can easily grab anywhere on the line and manually reel in the dog if I have to.
And what about the many cases in which someone accidentally dropped the handle, which started dragging on the ground and clattering loudly behind the dog, and spooked him into running in a blind panic into traffic?
We don’t even have to discuss emergency situations to get most trainers to chime in about how useless these tools are. They more or less train dogs to pull against pressure, by rewarding/reinforcing the dog when he pulls against the product’s spring (there is always some tension, even when the operator isn’t pressing the lock button) in order to reach something he wants to investigate. Getting to sniff something he was curious about is a reward – and behaviors that are rewarded get repeated. Simple as that.
Yes, a person can lock the handle and prevent the dog from pulling the line out of the device, preventing him from getting this reward. But then, you may as well just have a fixed-length leash.
As a final point against them, all I can say is, when this blog gets posted to the WDJ Facebook page, go ahead and post your photos of the deep, slashing cuts that you or someone you know has received when a retractable cord got wound around their leg when a dog was going nuts. That should give a little credence to the warnings against these products.
Can anyone honestly make a case for the responsible use of retractable leashes?
Depends. I use one when it’s safe, generally walking rurally or in my campground (I’m a fulltime RVer), as it gives my dog a lot more “steps” than a walk on a straight leash. If we’re in town, around crowds or lots of other dogs, it’s a straight leash all the way. I am very careful w/the retractable and always pay close attention to my dog and surroundings and have it close to locking. That said, I agree that most people are not safe using them. I have had my lower legs burned by an out of control dog on a flexi.
I actually think non-retractable leashes are cruel. I’ve been use a retractable for at least 10 years and I’ve never had an issue. Of course I’m hyper vigilant and I reel him in at any sign of danger, stress, or general disorder. What’s the point of keeping such deep control over every move your dog makes. Let a dog be a dog.
My childhood piano teacher had the end of her finger chopped off when the retractable lead cord wound round it and her dog suddenly pulled hard.
I think you don’t like retractables because of the HUMANS on the other end of the leash that are not using them properly. It’s not the tool, it’s how it’s being used.
You prefer a longline versus a controllable length retractable leash?
WHY?
Of course you only use a longline when there’s no one around… so… it’s a tool with rules required to keep it a tool used safely…. just like a retractable.
Longlines get wetter, dirtier and are NOT as controllable as a retractable when you’re trying to recall a dog in a HURRY. I can brake & lock the retractable in a millisecond. Getting a long line off the ground, wound back up in hand to where my dog hits the end can take a minute or two – way too long in an emergency.
If my 165lb dog takes off on the longline… I’m dropping it, pure and simple to save MY life and limb (I’ve had to do that in the days before I used a retractable… and easily recaptured that previous dog when the squirrel went up a tree).
Longlines on the ground are a HUGE hazard. Loose lines can get tangled in EVERYTHING. At LEAST as dangerous as a misused retractable. Longlines must be used INTELLIGENTLY to be safe, just like retracables.
I do use a longline – because it’s 50ft, and my retractable is only 15ft. When my mastiff goes swimming in January, I prefer NOT to go in the water with her. LOL.
When I’m in the ‘hood and want a casual walk, allowing my dog to sniff and stroll while I maintain a constant speed, the retractable is PERFECT!
My mastiff is already trained. The retractable is a REWARD for a well trained dog, it is not a training tool. The retractable allows us near-off-leash enjoyment while being legal, and with a safety net if I need to hit the brake in a hurry. My mastiff is ALWAYS under voice control… off-leash, on her longline or on her retractable.
Again, if you have issues with untrained dogs and untrained handlers, that’s a whole different subject on which we can agree. Just stop blaming the tool.
My experience with a retractible leash was not good. While walking my 90# lab, she spied a bunny and took off after it. The leash wound all the way out and the handle was yanked from my hand (broke my little finger) and I was pulled down on my right knee (broken) and tore my right rotator cuff.
“Spot on” Krista J. ! Have been using these retractable leashes for 9 years, ever he was a puppy; he
presently weighs in at 52 pounds. Some other readers noted it was not the “tool” (retractable leash) that was the problem but the users of these tools. I’ve witnessed on too many occasions someone using these tools incorrectly either due to lack of motor skills or just plain ole ignorance. Not to mention the fact that many of them are more
intersted in their i-phones, ear-buds or head sets, than being aware of their dog’s behaviour.
Yes on a number of occsaions I’ve dropped them while walking my dog. On all of these occsasions I yelled STOP! This one word was one of many he was taught as a puppy and has come in handy on a number of occasions whether
he’s on or off-leash. The environment we’re in will determine the amount of “freedom” or “slack” he can have. Going for “HIS WALK” is one of his greatest joys and I want him to have as much freedom (or the illusion of it) that he wants on these occasions. Improper use of “any” tool has it’s consequences!
I hate flexi-leashes. That being said, after reading some remarks, I will admit they can be used as a proper tool for dogs and owners/handlers who have already been through at least basic training. Too often, owners “know better” than the trainers or more experienced owners who just try to give good advice. One of my friends only uses a retractible on his dog, and the times when I’ve had to hold the leash I’ve kept the dog close to me. Fortunately, this is a moderate sized, very well behaved, older dog who has no prey drive and likes his humans, so is easily controlled. Several other owners I know who use retractable leashes have no clue how to properly use them and are a danger to other humans and their dogs.
Didn’t have time to read ALL the comments sp apologize if I’m repetitive. I agree with the initial premise that retractables aren’t good as a training tool. That said, I think they’re not an issue if the dog is already well trained and the owner has reasonable situational awareness. All the time I’ve had my girl (6+ years), has been spent training her to walk off leash while avoiding all the issues discussed. Two examples: she loves chasing squirrels but (and I know this is hard to believe) she will stop at the curb when the squirrel goes into the street and will only go to greet another dog once I’ve asked if it’s ok and released her from a ‘wait’ command. Don’t even get me started about people who are SO concerned about their precious lawns they object to a dog sniffing around (provided of course no ‘presents’ are left behind). They just need to get a life.
The retractable leash is authorized equipment for military dog handlers. “Kennel Masters may approve other leashes, such as heavy duty retractable models, to meet operational requirements.” Maybe it is the operator or his/her attitude and not the equipment.
I’ve been using retractable leashes for about 40 years, almost daily. Most of that time has been walking two large dogs with 2 Giant Flexi’s attached to harnesses. I also have several leashes of various lengths, some with built in short leads for traffic safety. I chose the appropriate leash depending on what we’re going to do. I use the Flexi’s for hiking and trails, basically for areas where many others allow their dogs off leash (illegally). I love them because they allow my dogs greater freedom to check out the forest/field but I can intervene quickly to prevent them from harassing wildlife. I feel they are safer than off-leash because even a rock solid recall cannot be counted on- guaranteed-100% of the time-in an uncontrolled environment. I pay attention and reel them in when anyone else is around (which takes seconds and is easily done). I can keep them locked at 4-6 feet when need be and at that length they are no different than a regular leash. I do think that dogs need to be trained on a regular leash, first, with one exception. They are fantastic for potty training puppies. Obviously, they shouldn’t be used near traffic or in heavily populated areas.
I do wonder about the tone of some of the more recent articles written by WDJ. It seems to me that rather than present arguments for or against a product or philosophy, the tone of your articles are increasingly becoming more condescending, contemptuous and frankly, demeaning to your audience that either hasn’t had the same experience or disagrees with your viewpoint or doesn’t know/understand. I find it very Trump-like and feel that it is needlessly polarizing to your readership. I’m not sure if you’re doing it intentionally or if our increasingly polarized society is just taking its toll on your writers but once you’ve offended/polarized someone, it’s very unlikely that they are going to thoughtfully reflect on any points you make and change. I really hope the tone of your articles will gravitate back towards the more informative/educational articles that attracted me to your magazine in the first place.
What you have written here is nearly identical to my own 30+ years experience with and purpose for using Flexis, Krista! Thank you for your eloquent defense of a tool I can’t imagine living without. I also happen to agree wholeheartedly with your second paragraph.
You nailed it. I can only add that I don’t need others to protect me from what they presume is an issue. Unless my choice affects you in a negative way, mind your own beeswax and let freedom of choice reign.