Should You Use Flexi Leads In Dog Training

Should You Use Flexi Leads In Dog Training

[elevatewithkarolina]

I have a flexi lead, but when I noticed that my dog was becoming reactive to squirrels and wanted to chase them and got us both tangled around a tree, I realised that first I need to teach her to walk on a lead by my side, and then give her more freedom once I've taught her to not be reactive like that. Great video, always love your take on dog training!

[loriroberts]

Used the flexi lead on my Amstaff and threw it out. My pinch collar worked the best. God rest his soul. CJ lived until he was 16 and just passed in September. He is sadly missed. Love you Will. Your philosophy is right on.

[rosedowneyart]

As a dog walker i actually prefer a flexi compared to a long line. I have a sausage dog who is slightly leash reactive. His recall on the flexi is 99%. So i put him on a flexi when in an environment that i don't fully trust him to not be reactive. As soon as I call him he comes straight to my heel even if theres a dog/person that he's not keen on. He still gets a run and to chase a ball and everyone remains safe. It sets him up for success

[Jamie-]

I've found a long line is great for walking my reactive dog. It gives him space and some autonomy, while also giving me more control over the leash when I need it. I've also found that it enables me to walk with a longer loose leash, so he's able to make his own decisions and not constantly pulling on the leash. When he's able to make decisions, he often makes the right one, to simply keep walking and ignore other dogs.

[Jamie-]

Occasionally I've brought out the flexi-leash. I always use a second leash, securing the flexi-leash handle to my waist, so if there's ever an occasion when I lose my grip, my dog is still secure.

[lillipearse]

This is reassuring 😂 I got in trouble at puppy school for having a flexi lead but I use it with a very clear distinction with my dog when we’re training loose leash walking with it locked off vs. Giving more space at the park, and the training is going really well 🤷‍♀️he has great recall though and isn’t reactive

[Knetberta]

I used the flexi lead on my senior dog. He was really well behaved and the flexi lead was just kind of a safety line.
Sadly, my dog past away.
I got a puppy now and theres no way i would walk him ob a flexi lead untll his training is done.

[missemzofficial]

I got the flexi xl giant for my 10 month old mastiff whos 60kg and its literally the only lead he doesn't pull with, probably because he has freedom to walk and sniff etc. Walking down the roadside his by my side then over the park i let him go further on it and always check for other dogs etc. Its been a god send and his much happier now with this . His great off lead too but i dont let him off to much due to other dogs and not knowing what there like.

[belchbat]

I tried reaching my new Rhodesian on a flex lead but it was terrible. I taught my malamute with slip lead and by the time she was 3 I could walk her with just a harness and flex lead. I think it shines for already trained dogs

[ltpdogtrainingNJ]

Cons:
1. The constant tension on the Flexi Lead means that the dog knows where you are without having to look at you... the opposite of loose-leash walking & eventually off-leash walking, where there is zero pressure.
2. It dulls dogs' sensitivity to light cues on-lead.
3. Even the strongest models (tape) are not strong enough if your dog is over 75 lbs and you forget to 'cushion' impact when they hit the end... or if your dog is less than that & you walk the opposite way when they're running away from you & let them hit the end.
4. You need to wear gloves when using them.
Pros:
1. If your dog is already well-trained & obedient, they are great for taking your dog running or biking.
2. Great for "mushing" with your dog when you're on skateboard, sled or skis.
3. Good for 'insurance' for long distance down-stays or when you're out of sight. Light enough that dogs think they're off-leash. Just tie to a solid object any distance away with locked-in slack.

[Hanhorrr]

And then there's the idiots who walk their dog next to a road on flexi leads...

[kellygroves]

Even used properly though a flex can be more dangerous than a properly used prong.

[mobilfone]

our young goldie almost broke my fingers with that flexy sh....

[Indigo-yy]

If these are the leads that I am thinking of they should be banned in public spaces. Favoured by bad dog owners with no control over their dogs it gives a false sense of security. If you can’t trust your dog off a leash to behave well and to come back when called a long leash or retractable one is useless.

They are a trip hazard. A friend had a dog on these leashes run around her and brought her to the ground. Her dog, meanwhile, sat there lovely, well behaved and not moving. The other dog owner could not recall the dog. Friendly as it was, they were in a public area where bikes were on the paths, young children were playing and there was a pond which people could have been knocked into, fortunately we were not on the pond side of the path.

Some dogs don’t like walking on leads- but that doesn’t mean they can’t be trained to walk by your side or recalled.

[miniruby]

I HATE THESE LEADS people in the obedience class that I go to have them on staffys and rottweilers as every day leads

[MsBettyRubble]

I can't stand flexible leads. The owners often don't lock them properly and are paying attention to their phone and not their untrained reactive dogs.

[vanringo]

99 times out of 100 the flexi lead or retractable leads are used by people that think its funny when their little yappers run it out after a bigger dog that is being properly led. Then it is really bad when you have a poorly trained large dog with and even worse trained dog owner that lets the dog run them out. Personally I think the manufacturers should just stop making them. I do not like saying ban them, just stop making them. They are the worst leads possible.

[mikemullikin]

Worst pet product ever
I say this as a former vet tech who has seen way too many injuries and even some deaths. Just my experience.

[danaea]

As a trainer I dispise them.. worst tool in the box

[SomeGuy-gczs]

A tool is only ever as good or bad as the hands that hold it.