Pet owners are always looking for accessories that make activities like walking or hiking with their dogs more comfortable, and while retractable leashes may seem appealing because they can be extended or retracted with the push of a button, they may not be the safest for your dog.
What is a retractable lead?
A retractable leash consists of a plastic handle that contains a spring-loaded spool of thin rope, flat tape, or a combination of the two. The rope is wrapped around the spool and is controlled by a button on the handle.
The button controls the length of the line. When unlocked, the line is free to stretch. In the locked position, the leash length is fixed regardless of tension or slack. The end of the leash has a Dog collar or Harness.
Are retractable leads okay?
When choosing a leash for your dog, retractable leashes have risks and safety issues to consider.
1. It can lead to injury
The rope cannot be pulled back when it is under tension. If something happens and you need to pull your dog back, such as if he runs out onto the road, you may have no choice but to grab the rope with your bare hands. However, because the rope is so thin, it is difficult to secure and can easily slip out of your hands, causing burns or cuts.
Locking the lead when your dog is running can cause it to suddenly stop. This can cause your dog to pull on the lead and back away, potentially injuring their neck or throat, causing neck pain or in severe cases rupturing a disc in the neck. Injury to the windpipe or trachea can also cause your dog to cough and have difficulty breathing.
If your pet appears to be in pain or is having difficulty breathing, take him to the vet immediately.
2. It may malfunction or break
Buttons, torsion springs and plastic spools are all that’s keeping your dog safe from dangerous situations. With retractable leashes, there’s a risk that the internal mechanisms can jam or break, causing the leash to come loose.
If the mechanism gets stuck, the owner cannot retract the lead, and the dog may run away. The dog may also snap the lead with force, which is especially dangerous when walking through busy areas. There is also a risk of losing sight of the dog if it runs away without the owner’s control.
3. There is a possibility of tangling
When using a retractable lead, slack and tension must be actively managed, and the lead can easily become tangled. This can make on-leash interactions difficult – for example, if your puppy encounters another person with a friendly dog, he may run in circles and wrap the lead around that person, potentially injuring one or both dogs.
4. Difficult to see
These lines are thin, dark, and hard to see, and sagging leads just a few inches off the ground can create a tripping hazard, causing falls for pet owners and kind strangers alike.
5. They are easily dismissed
The handle design of retractable leashes can also be an issue. Some have thick handles that offer little grip. They can be dropped easily, and the sound of the hard plastic handle hitting the ground can startle a timid puppy. A scared dog may think he is being chased and may run away, dragging the handle along.
6. Not suitable for scaredy dogs
7. Strengthen your pulling movements
There is a misconception that retractable leashes give your dog more freedom and prevent pulling. The truth is the opposite. When walking your dog on a retractable lead, more of the lead tends to be released as the dog begins to pull forward.
If the lead is released at the first sign of tension, the pulling behavior is reinforced and the dog learns that pulling gives him more freedom. When the dog reaches the end of the lead, he becomes frustrated and pulls even harder. This is an impossible situation for the pet owner because they are both out of line and have no way to pull the lead back.
What’s the best alternative to a retractable lead?
In general, look for a lead that is made of a thick material, such as nylon or neoprene, and that comes in a set length. A thick lead won’t dig into bare skin or fur.
The best leash for your dog will depend on your situation. In urban areas, choose a leash that is long enough to keep your dog close to you, like a standard 6-foot leash. The closer you are to your dog, the better. Reinforce them to walk close to you.
In a spacious environment Beach Or if you walk in a large park, try a long training line, varying in length from 10 feet to 50 feet or even 100 feet. Learning simple techniques to manage the slack on walks can help you keep your dog secured when necessary and let him loose when it’s safe.
So walking your dog on a standard lead instead of an retractable lead allows your dog to feel free without putting him at risk.
Featured Image: Pekic/E+ via Getty Images
