Reg: 08-05-2007
Posts: 323
Loc: Lake City, Coeur d' Alene, ID
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Hi Jennifer - I"m dating my self here but the old black and white Superman TV series used to describe him as "faster than a speeding bullet". That must describe my arm motion because I can get a pulling dog to my side with a retractable. Ha! Ha!
Diane Joslin Webboard User Reg: 01-09-2007
Posts: 368
Loc: Las Vegas, NV
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We bought one of those Flexi-Leash when we first had our dog Buster. He was a pitbull who could not walk nicely without pulling very hard. Don't think we used it more than a couple of times. It was easy to see why they didn't recommend it for unruly dogs!
Recently I had an encounter with a neighbor who was leisurely walking her two chows down the street with both of them on a Flexi-Leash. She was paying absolutely no attention to what was going on around her. Nickie and I spotted her and the dogs - I gave him a quick "leave it" and a pop on the prong collar. She still didn't see us so I yelled "hey! pay attention to your dogs!" just as they both lunged toward us, nearly ripping the flexi-leash out of her hand. She had a heck of a time getting them back under control - I ended up doing an about face and got far enough away that she could get to her house without further incident.
Stupid woman still walks those two chows on that leash!
Amber Morgan Webboard User Reg: 10-18-2006
Posts: 1849
Loc: St. Louis, MO
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I've used retractable leashes on pups or small dogs when we're doing a potty break in a yard and the pup is searching for that perfect spot.
And I've used it on pups when I'm out in the yard letting them explore (and need to keep them on a line) but want to have a little longer line that isn't going to get tangled--my long line would always get snagged in stuff.
So would I use it on pups in a casual way? Sure.
Would I use it on my almost 90lb GSD while working on dog aggression issues?
No way. Not on a bet.
In my opinion, it can have it's uses....but it is NOT a training tool, or a reliable way to restrain a dog.
Mary Velazquez Webboard User Reg: 12-24-2007
Posts: 575
Loc: Texas
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I agree Amber. On pups, maybe. in VERY isolated situations? Maybe. I dont like them because of the total lack of control and on a side, I dont like the constant pressure they put on the collar, my method of training relies on the dog becoming sensitive about where the end of leash is so it wont ever pull.
But mainly its about reliability; Buster has busted chains and nylon equipment so now Im paranoid , the moment a dog is going to put the flimsy mechanism inside to the test is definitly NOT the moment I need any question about it possibly breaking. Even Gypsy (30 lb terrier) dragged a 350 lb full grown man down the road, once they get going it takes some wrangling to stop em!I just dont trust anything, basicly too many bad unforseen circumstances happened to me.
P.S. I do own one, I use it to train recall to puppies; I use the constant pressure to my advantage there
"Swing your arm backwards, pulling the dog towards you." Easier said than done when he becomes dog aggressive. I once watched him pull my wife across a street when he was on his leather 6' leash and she was using both hands to try to control him. We've worked on him on the dog aggressiveness, and use an e-collar, it helps a lot. But I'm not willing to trust our flexi-lead, at least not yet.
Kristel Smart Webboard User Reg: 10-03-2006
Posts: 1548
Loc: Vermont
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I've used flexi-leads for a very long time on a LOT of dogs without incident. I've had the same three since time immemorial; a small one for puppies, a 16' all-web designed for dogs up to 110 lbs, and a 50' all-web pro-model, also for large dogs. I agree that stupid things happen when stupid people use them; I would not use a rope-version on my 95 lb Dobe. I would not use one on a dog-aggressive dog around other dogs. They are pretty useless for training. I LOVE them for puppies who are just learning to walk on a leash, and I love them for trained dogs. I use mine the most when I'm traveling with my dog and don't want him off leash, but want him to have a chance to move around a bit. They're really nice for hiking when you have a nice dog that isn't quite ready to be off leash. They aren't a substitute for a good training leash by any means, but they have their place and are really nice if used with common sense.
Jennifer Marshal Webboard User Reg: 08-02-2007
Posts: 1078
Loc: Southern Oregon
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I respect that people use them on dogs they consider to be well trained and I agree that they are good for puppies. However, I just try to never give any dog an opportunity to prove me wrong in my assessment of how "well trained" they are. I don't use retractable leashes because to me they are not much better than having a dog off lead. I just don't underestimate my dogs ability for action or reaction if something happens.
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Re: Retractable leashes
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Re: Retractable leashes
, the moment a dog is going to put the flimsy mechanism inside to the test is definitly NOT the moment I need any question about it possibly breaking. Even Gypsy (30 lb terrier) dragged a 350 lb full grown man down the road, once they get going it takes some wrangling to stop em!I just dont trust anything, basicly 
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