09/05/2025
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I refuse to work with retractable leashes
Retractable leashes are popular due to their perceived ability to provide dogs with more freedom. However, there are significant drawbacks to using this type of leash.
10 Reasons to Avoid Using Retractable Leashes:
1. Retractable leashes can extend up to 26 feet, allowing dogs to get too far away from their owners. This can lead to dangerous situations, such as a dog running into the street or interacting with other dogs or people without permission.
2. In situations where control is necessary, retractable leashes can be problematic. It is much easier to regain control of a dog on a standard six-foot leash than one that is 20 feet away.
3. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break, particularly if a powerful dog is on the other end. This can put the dog and others in danger and cause injury to the human holding the leash.
4. If a dog walker becomes tangled in the cord or grabs it to reel in their dog, it can cause burns, cuts, and even amputation. Additionally, people have been pulled off their feet by dogs reaching the end of the leash, resulting in bruises, broken bones, and worse.
5. Dogs can suffer severe injuries from the sudden jerk on their neck when they reach the end of the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated trachea, and spinal injuries.
6. Retractable leashes can allow dogs to pull aggressively, which may be misinterpreted by other dogs as a challenge to fight.
7. The bulky handles of retractable leashes can easily slip out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog.
8. The sound of a dropped retractable leash handle can terrify dogs, causing them to run away. This can create lasting fear in dogs, not only of leashes but also of walks.
9. Retractable leashes, like other retractable devices, can malfunction over time, failing to extend or retract properly.
10. Retractable leashes are particularly unsuitable for dogs that have not been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their nature, retractable leashes encourage dogs to pull while on leash, as they learn that pulling extends the lead.
Credit : Heartland Animal Rescue Team