Flexi Leash Problem; Equip or Handler?

[Ruthie]

I think they definitely have their use. Mine is packed away waiting for puppy. I have the leash type that Chris described. It was a God send when potty training Bison in the middle of February. There is nothing worse than having to chase a 9 week old puppy through 2 ft drifts of snow at three in the morning, or try to untangle a long line after he races in and out under the deck. The flexi allowed him to go far enough away to do his business, and allow me to reel him in and get him back inside.

I have never used mine for walks, except for nature trails where there are still leash laws but I want Moose to have more freedom to explore. I have also used them for potty breaks while traveling and want them to be able to stretch.

That said, it does amaze me the people that put their children and animals in reach of a "strange" dog. Bison is friendly, but if I didn't know him I certainly wouldn't chance having him get close I had a baby or little dog.

[Liesje]

Does the flexi actually reel the dog in? I've never had or used one so I'm not sure how it works. Wouldn't you have to pull back on the dog and the line yourself? I use a long line for pottying dogs and have a knot tied every foot so I can grab it at whatever point or "reel" the dog in knot by knot. Since I live in the city w/ a leash law there's really nowhere I could use a flexi and if we are out roaming they are either off leash or dragging a thin ASAT line which doesn't wrap or catch on anything. I do have a tie-out in my yard so that can be used for a dog that needs to potty but could escape (yard is also fenced but Coke will go over or under).

The main reason I'd never use one is that I cannot hold one the way I hold a normal leash. I don't use handles at all, I cut them off or undo the seam so all my leashes are just lines. I hold them with the line over my index finger gripped in my hand. A show handler showed me this and a dog has never pulled away from me this way, I'm told it's also how horse lines are held.

[valreegrl]

Flexi's have their uses. From what I have read, they were originally developed for dogs when swimming. The lead having that type of movement prevents it from getting stuck on brush under the water.

They are more often than not used inappropriately and unfortunately that is the reality we live in.

If you can control your dog in any situation then what others do is not so worrisome. That is what we strive for each and every day.

(Although I think Timber and myself are a little slow in this area!!)

[Jax08]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Does the flexi actually reel the dog in? I've never had or used one so I'm not sure how it works. Wouldn't you have to pull back on the dog and the line yourself? .

No, the flexi does not reel the dog in. It retracts as the tension is reduced on the line. My Capstone project was evaluating and redesigned a broken flexi. The lab lunged for a rabbit, took the owner unaware, and just tore the flexi apart as she tried to set the lock to stop him.

Basically, it is like having a dog on a long line that never has slack. Only the people that most often use them don't have a clue.

[Anja1Blue]

I stopped using a Flexi when my last GSD took off explosively after a rabbit in City Park - the line broke and I was left nursing a sore shoulder and the plastic casing. One of the pitfalls with this type of leash, though most of the people I pass on walks are using them and I can't recall seeing anyone in difficulties. Still, I won't go back to it - I use a 15ft RamTech leash (looks and feels like soft leather though it's a synthetic) and that works just fine. I like the fact that my dog can run out a bit - I am not a person who insists that they walk at heel unless it's absolutely necessary.
_________________________________________
Susan

Anja SchH3 GSD
Conor GSD
Blue BH WH T1 GSD - waiting at the Bridge

[W.Oliver]

Originally Posted by valreegrl

If you can control your dog in any situation then what others do is not so worrisome.

Conceptually I agree...Live and let live. Along that line of thought, I am confident in my GSD with just about every setting, where the only possible exception may be the trial field for a BH! LOL

For me, none of that is really the concern...the problem I have is this Flexi type pet owner with the dog aggressive companion who still allows this dog to approach innocent passerbys on the trail, or unaware shoppers in the pet store. The spaniel mix in my origianl post was fine, but I have had experiences where pet owners allow snarky dogs to freely approach on the Flexi...makes me nutz!

Don't get me wrong, I am not antisocial. As long as my dog and I are not working, and not in a location where we typically train...I am all for play dates and socializing, but not spontaneously...planned, discussed, controlled introduction to minimize snarking/fights. I do not understand simply allowing your dog to approach a stranger and their dog randomly. Some folks just shouldn't own a dog...that is really the bottom line.

So handler not equipment, but I still hate Flexi leashes!

[W.Oliver]

Originally Posted by Jax08

Only the people that most often use them don't have a clue.

Very elegant statement of the truth!

[Ruthie]

Originally Posted by Liesje

Does the flexi actually reel the dog in? I've never had or used one so I'm not sure how it works. Wouldn't you have to pull back on the dog and the line yourself? I use a long line for pottying dogs and have a knot tied every foot so I can grab it at whatever point or "reel" the dog in knot by knot. Since I live in the city w/ a leash law there's really nowhere I could use a flexi and if we are out roaming they are either off leash or dragging a thin ASAT line which doesn't wrap or catch on anything. I do have a tie-out in my yard so that can be used for a dog that needs to potty but could escape (yard is also fenced but Coke will go over or under).

The main reason I'd never use one is that I cannot hold one the way I hold a normal leash. I don't use handles at all, I cut them off or undo the seam so all my leashes are just lines. I hold them with the line over my index finger gripped in my hand. A show handler showed me this and a dog has never pulled away from me this way, I'm told it's also how horse lines are held.

It doesn't reel them in like a fishing pole, but as others mentioned it keeps constant tension on the leash unless you lock it. (Main reason it is not good for walking). Think of how a badge holder works. You can pull your badge out to swipe it, but if you let go it will reel back in. Only the badge is your dog and they can resist being reeled in automatically, thus creating the tension.

Mine has a switch that locks it in place, then a button positioned where your thumb naturally sits that only locks it while the button is pressed in. I use this button to reel in the dog, lock, pull, leash reels in, lock, pull, leash reels in, lock... It essentially does the same thing as your long line with knots in it, you just don't have to worry as much about tangles and it self stores in a neat little package.

As for the potty, I use it for the same purpose as a tie out, but it is just more convenient. We have a fenced in yard, and when the puppy is a little older and has a recall and knows "potty", they can have free reign of the back yard. When the dog is little though, I want to be in control of where they go, when they come in... It is just a convenient tool to do that with. If I remember correctly, Bison went out with one of us on the flexi for the first 3 - 4 months.

[Kayla's Dad]

Don't like them. Like the reasons and purposes that Chris and JKlatsky pointed out, and we do use them in the beginning classes at our club with some dogs on the recalls and sit/down-stay exercises. In public, the majority of users simply do not use them properly.

This is an area where for me, the party is guilty until they prove otherwise. When I see someone using one of these, I simply conclude that they don't use it properly until they show otherwise. And prepare to move in another direction if we're going to cross paths or put my dogs in a sit and wait until they do pass.

[Moonlight]

The worst thing to hear about a flexi-leash "Oh, it's broken but we use it anyway." As in, it won't lock and you have to manually jiggle the line back in to make it roll up. This was noted to me after three days of dog sitting. After which, I still have scars from having to grab the line. Never having used one before I couldn't imagine why anyone would want something this ridiculous, I still think they're ridiculous even with a working one. I dread going out for a walk anytime my friend grabs the flexi, last time it was my ankles that got the cuts.