Why Do Dog Trainers HATE Retractable leashes?

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[SoCS]

So... what do you reckon Love or Hate the retractable?

[itsmellpowers]

I do like retractable leads, as long as used properly. My main issue I have is when someone has a reactive dog and it lunges when it is fully extended on the pavement. I would love to attend a workshop/class about retractable leads and how to use them. Great video!

[OneTouch]

Appreciate you telling it like it is. Owner needs to be accountable and trained no matter what type of leashes are being used. Have seen so many people say NEVER use the retractable type.

[shiplesp]

I tie knots every few feet in long lines (I prefer cotton - they are cheap and you can replace them before they wear out enough to snap) to prevent burns :)

[crazeedogs]

Thank you! Love my retractables and have long thought teaching the proper use of them would be super beneficial.

[bogdanconstantinbudai]

Finally, a balanced and down-to-earth clip on this topic!
I'm very glad that I found it and watched it. The other ones I came across are heavily biased against this type of lead, but some reasons are simply common sense (or lack of)😕
As you've said - the retractable leash has upsides and downsides, like any other gadget and tool. If one is taught correctly how to use the tool, and then how to behave while on a walk, I believe any leash would work.

[VOSHOL]

It's all about pros en cons and using material with intelligence. Lots of small dog owners love them and I understand why. I think a class around using this equipment wisely would be very good.

[CrizzX]

Thanks! I am going to try the brake conditioning.

[flip_shifty]

8:00 great tips. My dog can feel the pressure difference when i lock it and starts to heel automatically. It's great. Yeh dont let your dog go in front of you, but thats the same with a long line. Dog trainers forget about the locking mechanism on a flex lead... rofl

[wintbs]

Yes. I would like to attend a workshop locally for managing my puppy on a retractable leash.

[herdingdrive]

As always, such a helpful video!!
I have grown from using it like the typical (somewhat ignorant) dog owner, to only using it when I potty my dog at night or in the unfenced front yard.
I have sliced my hand doing exactly what you describe, grabbing it when my leash reactive dog charged at an approaching off leash dog ( I know now, Flexi+leash reactive dog always=bad idea!). I have also dropped it and immediately thanked my lucky stars that my dog happened to not be scared by the bouncing object heading straight for her. On many Lost Dog posts you can read "dragging retractable leash".
So, I will keep my Flexi for very limited use along with a few cotton leashes of varying length, even a couple of nylon one's (they also pose some problems, but I do find them useful at times).
What I do use almost exclusively are my 6-foot Biothane, my 30-foot Biothane tracking leash and my 15-foot cotton leash. I also have a German leather hands-free adjustable leash like the hunters there use.
While I agree that using a long line also takes some getting used to, I recommend that people make the effort, it's well worth it.
As to the dogs hitting the end of the leash (any leash) I now train "EASY!!!!" when the dog is approaching the end and if I can (which is most of the time) I soften the blow by letting the long line slip through my hands with some tension before the stop.
What I do wish is that certain training "tools" would at least come with a warning label. Most pet dog owners just don't know about the kind of problems they can cause. While some may not read a "how to use" pamphlet, some will. Maybe warning labels won't happen until some folks sue the manufacturer.
Again, great video!! Sharing it right away!

[juliepayne]

I use them on 2 Rottwiellers I walk, makes life alot easier managing them. And yes I would hold a workshop showing how to use them properly

[gambarinho]

Very nice video. I use a variety of leads for different things. I always carry two leads with me during a walk. One for the harness and a slip lead for a return home obedience session. I’m thinking of using the retractable lead for some longer distance fetching exercise. I also think a Flexi could be a good traffic lead, during high street walks.

[steffimaier]

Hate those and got rid off of it when we adopted our dog (he came with a bed, retractable leash, and a toy), especially after hearing that one of our neighbor's dog (a Beagle) pulled so hard it shattered the plastic case and caused him to run towards a street. Luckily, no car was there at that time. The biggest issue/worry I have is that the entire weight and muscle pressure is put onto a piece of plastic and a spring.
But I really like the video and agree with all points. So far the best video on that topic.

[olwenturns]

I use them! I have a couple of dog walking client dogs that can't go off lead and it's fairer for them. Never thought of holding a workshop. My main bug bear is the dog on one side of the road and the owner on the other, and yes I have had a near miss or two on country lanes, and even in town.


For long lines I use horse lunge ropes, if they can take a 1/2 tonne or more of horse a 20 - 60 kg dog isn't a problem but like any kit, check it's ok before use, a broken clip or stitching that's coming loose isn't good.

[euanmacrobbie]

I love retractable leads. Even though I had to change the line on mine to kevlar 750lb line to stop the dog from chewing through it and when she takes of snapping the line. Dog is only 20kg collie but can pull a sled with me and my 2 daughters combined weight of around 300kg without trying. And she is only 20kg in weight.

[reneebequick]

I just purchased them for my golden who is 4 years old and my lab which is 5 years old. Mind you, my dogs are well trained off-leash, stay right by my side. But when you're walking around neighborhoods and parks, dogs are required to be on a lead. There is a learning curve to them so I definitely recommend to use them in a controlled environment. Verdict, these are phenomenal, I love them. I personally wouldn't recommend them for a young puppy or any dog that doesn't have any recall training only because things can go wrong fast without proper training with the leads and also dogs/people around you if not yourself and your own dog. I would say this is a good tool for dogs that are already trained to do off-leash walking and know "stop" and "come" commands.

[melokatdogs]

I use long lead for nosework/tracking.
I used a small size long line made by myself do that it was light, when my dogs were puppies, before they had basic obedience.
I walk the dogs on a fixed-length lead, because if I put a lead on fixed on a harness it means there is some potential danger, like a road etc. When there is no predictable danger I let them free. I wouldn't use a long line to walk the dogs. I hate long lines that get tangle, end up on the floor and soagy, or just finally end you d'ont know what to do with it even if you know how to handle a long line.
Now, I also use a flexi. When my dogs ask to go out at night and I don't want to go out of the motorhome because it rains or it's too cold and I don't want to dress up. But I also use it as a security device for my oldie, when I take them out before bed, because she is now nearly deaf, and often disoriented in the night as she is not seing as good as she used to. But I still want her to go wherever she wants to pee and poo, without having to shout so that she hears me.
I think that like for most pieces of gear, the rule is that you should take the environnement into consideration, the needs of the specific dog and specific owner. I know nearly all the people I know do hate those things, as far as I am concerned, neither do I love nor do I hate them : I just think they can be useful, is used properly, but that they do not fit every situation.

[mtnman]

2 of our dogs are a malinois and bull mastiff.

I've used Flexi leashes for almost 40 years. I just got 2 new Extreme ones = I love them.

[coldwhitespring]

I had no problem with them with my first dog, who was a calm, sensible GSD rescue, 2.5 years of age when I got her. I used a 8 metre thin string with her, it worked fine. My second dog I got when she was 8 months, and she was all over the place. She was pulling and jumping and running everywhere, and a retractable leash was not a good idea at all in the beginning. When she grew up and calmed down I bought a sturdier version with a tape cord, and this works here now. But mostly I use a long line, because then I can also let her loose with some control, very practical.
I guess people need to know their dog and if this is a good idea for them or not. I can certainly see how it can cause a disaster, and also why some people can't see that (they have a calm dog).
The conditioning of the lock was such a good idea, thank you!