On the surface, Retractable Leashes seem like a good idea. They can extend as far as 26 feet. By giving your dog the ability to feel “free” and to sniff far and wide during your walks. However, this false sense of freedom comes at a high price. Because retractable leashes pose dangers to both you and your pup.
Injury to your dog
A retractable leash is essentially a thin cord wrapped around a spring-loaded mechanism inside a plastic handle. Keeping the cord at a safe length for your dog is a constant challenge. With an expansive walking area, your dog can easily wander into the street or have unwanted contact with a person or another dog. Chances are, you’ll be too far away to quickly intervene in these situations. There’s also the chance your dog could run out the leash and experience a sudden jerk on the neck, resulting in a neck wound, lacerated trachea, or spine injury.
Injury to yourself
Retractable Leashes tend to malfunction and break, especially if a strong dog is pulling on the other end. If the cord breaks, it can snap back and injure you, while your dog runs loose into potential danger. It’s also common for owners to get tangled up in the cord or grab at it in an effort to gain control of the dog. This can result in burns, cuts, and, in serious cases, amputation. It’s even possible to get pulled off your feet if the leash reaches the end and your dog keeps going. Falls can result in bruises, scrapes, and broken bones.
Promotes poor walking behavior
Instead of walking politely beside you, dogs learn to pull on retractable leashes. They quickly learn that pulling extends the lead. This makes it hard, if not impossible, to teach well-mannered walking behavior. Excessive pulling not only ruins the walk, it could be mistaken as aggression by other dogs who might decide to react to the challenge.
The false sense of freedom dogs experience on Retractable Leashes does not outweigh the risks to you and your dog. For your safety, as well as your dog’s, just say NO to retractable leashes.
