It may be fun to allow your dog the chance to explore his surroundings on your daily walk, the ability to jog at a faster pace and over all have more freedom than a typical flat nylon lead would provide. Maybe you feel that this item is the best solution to your dog’s pulling problem; after all, he can get to where he’s going without pulling you this way! The retractable leash was created and marketed for this reason, despite the dangerous flaws that put both you and your dog at risk.
Freedom With a Price
The price tag on that useful retractable leash is not the only price you may pay when you use it. There are multiple reasons why a retractable leash may cause harm to you or your dog. Physical damage, such as cuts and burns are common occurrences on an owner who chooses to unwisely use these devices. Behavioral troubles as well as harm to your dog are also well known with a retractable leash.
The lead that rolls up on the inside of the plastic casing is usually a form of nylon rope or cord. With so much freedom and so little control or direction a dog on this type of containment system often times will get that cord wrapped around their owner in some way. Cuts and rope burns happen on the lower leg of the owner as well as the ankles, wrists, forearm and even torso depending on the size of the canine companion. Incidences as severe as requiring stitches to close wounds or even surgery have been reported because of this growing problem of improperly conceived pet equipment.
Aside from your own safety, the safety of your dog should also be top priority. This certainly is not true with most retractable leash users. These contraptions break easily when enough pressure is applied to the leash by your dog. This could mean that the leash will snap and your dog can take off, go where he pleases. If he’s not trained in a reliable recall, he can quickly become a lost dog poster on the neighborhood’s light posts. A dropped leash is common, no matter what kind you are using. If you drop a retractable leash, it will try to retract, as it is meant to do, and can hit your dog in the neck, shoulders, spine or even his head. If you have a small pooch, this can really hurt and require veterinary care!
Best Case Scenario
At worst, you or your dog will be seriously hurt. At best, you have taught him how to pull on the leash to get wherever he wants to go. The way the leash works is that the dog must put pressure on his collar or harness to gain that distance from you he wants. This is what lets him explore, run and enjoy his time out there on this kind of leash. If you decide to ditch the retractable and go for a safer route your job in training him to walk nicely beside you on a loose leash has been made much harder.
Every time he pulls on that retractable leash to do what he wants, he is doing what is called a self reinforced behavior. He does it because he likes it, and those kind of behaviors are some of the hardest to train out of a dog. Think about how many people you know who have said they tried to quit smoking, but failed. What about the diet you keep saying you want to go on? The reason these always fail is because the act of eating foods we like is far more reinforcing than healthier foods that may not make us feel as good emotionally or even physically. The same goes for dogs who have been taught to pull to go where they want on a retractable leash.
A Place for Retractable Leashes
Is there any real correct way to use a retractable leash? Most say no simply due to safety. On the rare occasion, a disabled handler may use one on their service dog to provide control while asking him to pick up a dropped item that is out of reach. However, even in that situation you still run into the major safety risks that retractable leashes carry. The leash can snap and hurt the dog, making him fearful of doing such a task for his handler in the future as well as causing injury. Another person may or may not see the thin retractable rope and trip over it, walk into get and get tangled or receive one of those infamous rope burns or cuts that tends to happen with such a leash.
In the end, it’s always up to the dog owner what kind of items they use on their dog. That said, there is never any excuse to not first research the products you buy for your pet before using them. Just because there is no warning label for these problems, does not make them nonexistent. Be proactive in your pet’s safety by training him to walk on a loose leash so you both can enjoy your daily walks together.