does anyone use a retractable leash for beach walks or hiking?

[jennyp]

I went to the beach with Brody yesterday and I had the long line on him so he could wander around but it just got so disgusting being dragged in the sand and water. And he kept getting tangled in it. I was wondering what opinions you guys have on retractable leashes? Would you recommend using one for hiking or at the beach? Thanks

[JakodaCD OA]

I don't like them IF I am going to be in a place where there are other dogs, lots of 'stuff' going on,,they just aren't safe nor secure enough..

IF however, it's a quiet area, I have used one for potty breaks or whatever..

[doggiedad]

i trained my dog so he can off leash
most of the time.

[Cassidy's Mom]

I hate them! Never owned one, can't imagine that I ever will. My dogs are either on a regular (usually 6 ft) leash or they're off leash.

I realize there are ways they could be used responsibly, but I see retractible leashes used in such wrong ways SO often - walking down the street in a business district (don't those people realize that their little dog is in the middle of a driveway 10 or 15 feet ahead of them and that cars going in and out may not see it?!?!?) or even just in a residential area (don't those people realize that if their dog decided to veer to the side instead of walking way ahead of them on the sidewalk it would be in the middle of the street?!?!?), or at off leash parks (retractible leash has gotten wrapped around a bush and the owner has to stop and untangle it, dog has almost garroted another dog running by, excess is laying on the ground and another dog stepped in the middle and it was wrapped around it's leg, etc.) that it's hard to be a fan of them in general. I'd rather use a long line at the park if I need one, and when I have used one I make sure that no dogs are nearby and no humans are going to get it wrapped around their legs if the dog takes off.

[Sunstreaked]

You can make a safety strap for a retractable by taking two snap together collars - one goes through the handle of the leash, the other collar slips to the first, making a figure 8. One hand goes through the 2nd collar and then you hold onto the handle of the retractable. If the dog suddenly jerks the retractable out of your hand, the collar keeps it on your wrist.

[ponyfarm]

Very much dislike them. Made the mistake of using retractable leash years ago..got whiplash from the dog taking off and not really knowing when the leash ended. She never really learned not to take off running when we had the flexi on. Then, a raccoon ran in front of her once , she jerked it from my hand, it flew up in the air and dented my husbands car. Thank god, the handle didnt hit the dog or one of my kids! It really could have killed someone!

That was it..the flexi went in the trash..never again. I will take a dirty wet leash anytime!

[jennyp]

Originally Posted by JakodaCD OA

I don't like them IF I am going to be in a place where there are other dogs, lots of 'stuff' going on,,they just aren't safe nor secure enough..

IF however, it's a quiet area, I have used one for potty breaks or whatever..

What about them is unsafe? Is it that the dog has too much freedom?

[Hunther's Dad]

If you mistakenly grab the cord when the dog takes off, you'll get a nasty set of cuts on your fingers.

[ChancetheGSD]

I have a flexi and love it. If I use it in busy areas, it's kept VERY short. I hate having to roll up extra lead in my hand with 6 and even 4 foot leashes. And traffic leashes can't be used on my small dogs and when I had Chance, I couldn't give him extra lead when appropriate if I used a traffic leash. Flexi has always worked perfect for that reason. They can have a very short leash when we're in areas with people/car traffic and give a little extra leash when we're somewhere I can "let them go" but they still need to be on a leash.

Zoey has never been reliable off leash and a flexi works out perfect for her. (She has a GREAT recall ON leash, just not off) Yes, I've tried to train her but she doesn't get it. She had VERY little training in her younger days and she was often hit when she returned if my mom needed to get her in the house quickly and she didn't come the first time. (She had no clue this wasn't the right way to train a dog) Now as an old dog, it's been impossible to get her running out of her. She'll eventually come back, but she doesn't "stay" with me like Chance did and Eevee is learning to do. She would have NO freedom when I take the other dogs out off leash if I didn't use a flexi.

I do agree, they're often abused. Mostly by small dog owners, which I happen to be as well so I already am "looked down on" by many larger dog owners despite the fact my dogs ARE trained to walk properly on a leash in a heel and aren't yappy. But I don't feel that just because I use one, I'm automatically a bad owner who lets my "ankle biters" run at the end of it pulling me down the street, getting people, animals or objects tangled into the leash, ect. Even Chance had to behave and stay with me when the time required him to be close to me on one.

[ChancetheGSD]

FTR, I'd never put a flexi on an untrained dog. If the dog is reactive to anything (ie. trying to take off after squirrels and things regardless of being on a leash), pulls or can't heel then a flexi IS dangerous. But on a well trained, non reactive dog, I have no problem with them.