It’s not often that we opine on particular products or specific categories of products but in the case of retractable leashes we are absolutely militant about retractable leashes and want to share why we are dead-set against them.
It’s a matter of safety.
Three key reasons not to use a retractable leash.
1 Retractable leashes give owners a false sense of control and security. As you are walking your dog, you think, “Gosh – all I have to do is push this little button and I can stop my dog.” The reality is that if something happens, let’s say a loud motorcycle goes by, a car backfires – or a strange dog is approaching, you will be focused on the dog and not able to easily punch that button – in the heat of that moment you’ll lose control of your little buddy. As you fumble around, you’ll have no choice but to grab the actual wire leash with your hands, with an agitated dog at the other end that can literally lead to bloodshed.
2 Let’s say that for whatever reason, the leash falls from your hands, maybe the dog jerks it, maybe you you get jostled or you just plain drop it. When that leash his the pavement, it is going to hit with a smack – and that smack will sound really loud to your dog, chances are – the noise will spook him to continue running away from the sound – and you!
3 Isn’t it cute when your dog sees one of her doggie friends on the block and they start circling, snuffling, and sniffing each other? And then in those joyful moments of the meet and greet everyone gets tangled up. If you are caught in the labryinth of one of those moments with a retractable leash, it can hurt, really hurt your legs or arms. Let’s face it, its a wire – and it will cut your skin.
So please, please be safe and use a standard leash, or you can check out these über cool leashes from Zee Dog (they can really help if your dog pulls) you’ll be safer and your dog will too!