Retractable Dog Leads
Retractable dog leads have a thin rope or ribbon-like leash coiled inside a plastic housing with a handle that you clip to your dog’s collar. They are typically available in 10, 16 and 26 foot lengths. On the surface, a retractable leash seems like an excellent tool to help prevent pulling on walks because it lets you give your dog more freedom of movement. However, retractable dog leads come with some significant dangers that pet parents need to be aware of.
Many experts discourage the use of retractable leashes because they can reinforce bad habits. In addition to being difficult to maintain a proper grip on, the constant tension in the leash can also encourage pulling as dogs get more and more space as they go. This is especially a problem with pullers who don’t learn to stop pulling or train their dogs to stop pulling.
When a dog leads reaches the end of the leash, they get a jolt that can potentially cause neck pain or worsen existing neck injuries. It can also cause a dog to panic and run in a blind panic into traffic or other hazards.
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The Dangers of Retractable Dog Leads
Another issue with retractable leashes is that they can become tangled or even break. The thin cord is easy to snag on something and the handles are often too bulky or difficult to hold. This can make them hard to control and increase the chance that a pet parent will accidentally drop the handle, which can drag across the ground, scare the dog and cause them to run away in fear.
Dogs who run off with a dragging retractable leash are much more likely to be hit by cars or to encounter dangerous situations like toxic plants, other dogs or strangers. The dangling leash can snag on anything, including the leg of a human or another animal and may entangle for a long time. The dog can become lost or even injured if they are in the middle of a busy street or park.
Many retractable leashes are made of cheap materials that can easily deteriorate or break. This makes them very expensive to repair and replace. A high-quality leash made of a thicker material that comes in a fixed length is often safer and more cost-effective than a retractable lead.
There are some very good alternatives to retractable leashes, such as long or “drag” lines. These are leashes that are much longer than standard flat leashes and can be made of leather, nylon, or neoprene and have reflective stitching on them so they are visible in low light. Some have ergonomically designed handles that are comfortable and easier to hold than traditional leash handles. A few are made of a more sturdy and durable plastic, such as biothane, which is more resistant to damage than traditional leashes. These types of leashes are also more affordable than a high-end retractable leash and they can be just as effective at preventing pulling as the more expensive options.