5 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Dog Leash

A retractable leash is a lead with a spooled length of thin cord stored in a plastic handle. The lead is ideal for use in large, open spaces where dangers from the surrounding are minimal. It is very convenient particularly if you love letting your dog explore without much control. However, retractable leashes are not suitable for everyday use. Unlike the standard size leather dog leashes made in the USA, retractable leashes increase the possibility of injury to people and their dogs. Here are the downsides of these types of dog leashes and leads.

They Condition a Bad Behavior

A leash implies that you are using something to control another. That means, by allowing your dog to go too far in front of you, you are allowing him to take control – conditioning him that it’s okay to pull. As every dog behaviorist will agree: jerking, pulling, or even walking further ahead are behaviors that say that the dog is walking you – and is in control. Such a retractable leash will encourage your dog to pull and not to listen to correction – the direct opposite of what leash training is all about.

They Are Bulky

For those who take their furry friends virtually everywhere, retractable leashes can give you a horrible time. No one wants to hold on to that big handle all day. Besides, the handles are easy to pull out of guardian’s hand, resulting in a runaway dog.

They Break Often and Are Not Durable

Just like any other device, retractable leashes do malfunction. Anyone who has used them before will tell you that it’s not unusual for the locking mechanism inside the plastic handle to fail.  This can give you and your dog a terrible experience especially when it’s time to retract the leash.

They Teach Dogs How To Pull

Usually, these dog leashes and leads extend anywhere from 10 to 26 feet. That means, with a 25 feet leash, you have little (or no control at all) in case your dog decides to take off into the street after that squirrel. In such a situation, he can step into traffic or make contact with other unfriendly dogs. The sudden appearance or the confusion is enough to increase the chances of dogfights. This kind of experience can give your pooch a life-long struggle when it comes to interacting with other dogs.

Finally, These Retractable Leashes Cause Injuries to People All the Time

About 90 percent of these leashes have a thin, lightweight cord. This increases the chances of hurting the dog as well as those walking it. It is common for you or the dog to get injured if the dog takes off or the line gets wrapped around the limb. In other instances, the cord can cause strangulation of the finger(s) which, in extreme cases, may result in extremely painful cuts and burns or even finger amputations and fractures.

The Bottom Line

In conclusion, retractable leashes are a no-no, particularly for dogs that have not been well trained to walk politely on a regular lead. At Quality Leather Dog Collars, we recommend that you use standard size leather dog leashes made in the USA. If you still prefer these retractable leashes and leads, it’s important to keep in mind that most of the reasons discussed above are as a result of human error. These include poor judgment, human frailty, or sheer negligence. Therefore, you must be constantly vigilant lest you hit the button when the leash is tangled on your dog, and hence, cause strangulation and other injuries.