Dangers of retractable leash

[ElizabethH]

Both Jack and I have matching "burns" on the back of our legs! However, one of our good friends was walking her dog with a normal nylon leash (loop at the top for your hand) and the dog took off! The loop caught around her wrist and she fell on the ground. She had to have major surgery on for nerve damage and almost lost her whole hand.... that is why I always use our retractable... because of the plastic handle!

 

[McGehee1]

When Willow adopted us and before we put our fence up, I got a 25 ft. retractable so at least I could let her run a little and have some space. I searched for an enclosed area nearby, but couldn't find one, so I would take her to a local park, and let her reel it out and get a little crazy. Well, one day, my then 4 year old son was with me. We got out of the car and started toward the grass and I let her pull out the leash. Before I knew it, I realized she had all 25 feet pulled out and was circling back toward me and my SON was in the middle of the loop! I yelled at him to watch out, and tried to run back around him, but it was too late...she ran by and burned the *l^%&^$%* out of the back of both of his legs right above the knees. He was screaming and crying, the dog was freaking out...it was awful!! I can tell you, since then, IF I use that leash (which I don't think I have since we've put up the fence...unless we go to the beach) I am VERY aware of where everyone is at all times. It can happen so fast! They are very dangerous!

 

[scribe1128]

I'm with Dan. I could never understand the appeal of these leads. What is the point of having your dog walking 20 feet from you? Those things never looked safe and a lot of people I see using them don't ever have control of their dogs! Somehow, I can't see using these on highly spirited boxers!

 

[Diane]

I have two retractable leads, I happen to love them, I always advise people that might be interested that you almost need a license to drive them. They are great for allowing a romp when off lead would not be okay but they do need to be used correctly and that includes not letting others (people) get hurt by them (very easy thing to happen).

I taught Shilo to go "round and round" with me in the centre when she was young (on command that is). She'd do circles and wear herself out - wonderful but I always had the stop button under my finger and I I had taught her well just what "STOP" meant (by doing a stop on a shortened leash from time to time using the 'stop' command - she learnt to stop when she heard me yell that).

I think it's like so many thing - a little responsibility can go a long way. I would be sorry to see them be withdrawn from the market, my dogs and I have benefited from them with no harm to anyone else over many years.

 

[poeyman]

I've never had any problem with the nylon cord - I've never tried to grab that part, but I'm surprised no one else has mentioned the other risk of these leads - unless mine was defective... Well, here's the story -

I bought one of these leads because I live in a 3rd floor walk-up and Bentley (my pup) has a habit of tearing down the stairs just as fast as he can - which is faster than I can. So once I'd verify that nobody was below us on the stairs, I'd hit the release button and he'd take off without pulling me down the stairs (like he would with a regular leash). [Don't worry - I know all my neighbors and they all love Bentley.] I bought a leash specifically labeled for 75-100 lb dogs (Bentley weighs about 55 lbs).

Anyway, walking to the dog run one afternoon, I noticed that there was suddenly no resistance on the leash - my puppy was wandering free on a busy sidewalk in Manhattan! What had happened: the metal loop that connected the nylon cord to the short leader and buckle (that hooks onto the dog's collar) had been stretched open (a la paper clip)! Now Bentley the Boxer does pull on leash sometimes and he is strong - but certainly not as strong as a 100 lb dog! That should NOT have happened - and I most definitely was NOT misusing the leash. Fortunately Bentley didn't run off - in fact he seemed oblivious to the whole thing, and I managed to grab hold of what was left of the short leader.

On the whole - I would not recommend these things for large dogs.

 

[Ms.Kryssie]

My Friends 8 yr old daughter was hurt by one of these things, and the dog on the other end was only an 8 lb yorkie.

I agree they are dangerous, she had severe lacerations and burns to her wrist area when the dog took off after her brother. I sent the link to my friend. Thank you..

 

[Faughtey]

I've used flexi-leads for a long time, and never had a problem with them. You do have to be careful about anything getting between you and your dog. It's best to use them in wide open spaces. Do a safety check every time before using to make sure the locking brake works, they do get worn out. And never grab the cord, of course! A fenced yard is much safer, but for apartment dwellers they work pretty well.

 

[Louby]

We have a retractable leash which we use occasionally (me more-so than my hubby) Sometimes when you are somewhere when you are not able to let your dog off they are great as it means that they can still have a bit of freedom on the leash. I have never had any problems with it and find it a lot easier than a regular leash. Although saying that my hubby prefers the regular leash as he says it gives him more control.

I cannot believe that one actually did that amount of harm although saying that why would you have to touch the nylon bit, the one we have has a comfortable handle which is great.

I have definately taken head by what people have said though.

 

[totallyhip]

Retractable Leashes?

We use a retractable leash on Luke. We have only had a couple of incidents with it. You have to be very careful that the clip does not unlock and release the leash when you don't want it to. Another thing that I noticed with people is that they leave it too long and the dog could run out into the street into traffic. When I walk Luke I keep the leash very tight so he has to walk beside me or not that far ahead of me. But I do like the leash because it does not tangle up and if were in the park I can leave it long so Luke can have lots of freedom to roam around. Were not comfortable with walking Luke off the leash yet, but so far this leash is working out good.

 

[Shotze's Mom]

When I bought my retractable it had warning labels on it. I thought, "DUH! Isnt this a common sense thing?" But now I see why they are there. I love mine. I have never had a problem with it. I also have a chain leash that I use when I take Shotze out somewhere, vet, petsmart, etc. But I love my retractable. It gives Shotze more freedom on walks through the yard and saves my wrist when she wants to play. I think you HAVE to use common sense on alot of these things. Dont use them on walks through neighborhoods or near roads or anywhere where your dog could be endangered by it.

Once again....LOVE mine.