Are Retractable Leashes Dangerous?

Courtesy of  Lulu Hoeller

With spring-like weather creeping across my region, I look forward to seeing more dogs out and about for longer walks.  Every time I see a happy dog and his or her person enjoying a walk together, I smile.   But as healthy and much fun walking your dog can be, there are always safety hazards, especially in highly populated areas.

One of these became more apparent to me when I received the following letter from a reader:

Dear Gretchen,

... I have two main concerns that I feel need to be known by other animal lovers and dog owners especially!

I work at an animal hospital as a veterinary assistant for many years now and I also dog walk on the side. Both concerns involve the very popular "Flexible Leashes" people use to walk their dogs with lately.

At the Animal Hospital, we are seeing a lot of Emergency walk-ins involving dogs hit by cars because the owners are allowing the dogs to  freely walk/run using these 16 ft (and longer!) leashes on city streets. The dogs are excited and run to greet other dogs or chase after a squirrel or bird etc...whatever the distraction may be. They end up crossing the street suddenly and get hit by an unsuspecting oncoming car. The owners end up devastated and shocked that within seconds their beloved dog was alive and happy one minute and is now dead and bleeding in the street. Sadly, I have not seen any happy ending with these cases. All are dead on arrival or die on the way to us. These flexible leashes should only be used in areas like a park or un-trafficked areas. Regular leashes that are no longer than 6 ft should be used for city streets to walk your dog(s). Let's keep our furry companions safe and close, and alive!

My second concern, also involves the flexi-leashes when I walk other people's dogs (and my own dog). I find that people who use these flexi leashes seem to assume that because their dogs are friendly to other dogs, that it means that EVERY dog they encounter must also be dog-friendly too! And they cause close dog fights by allowing their dog to run over freely to the strange dogs they come across. As you know already, some dogs love people but dislike other dogs or have had traumatic experiences where they have been attacked by another dog and now react aggressively when approached by other dogs.

Whatever the reason may be, it is not right to force your dog on another person's dog that is following the law and is keeping their dog under control with a limited sized leash. By doing so, that flexi leash user can cause not only that the dogs may hurt each other, but the owners too most likely will intervene to protect their dog and end up in the hospital badly injured or with infected wounds. This goes for all sized dogs, not just the "labeled dog breeds".
 Thanks for listening to this growing problem.

Respectfully,
 Jannette Ramirez

While I have walked dogs in my family, veterinary settings and as a dog-sitter, I had only encountered flexible leashes briefly, although I did notice their popularity and availability growing.  I had been suspicious of them to begin with and did not like the lack of control the plastic handle and extendible cord provided, so I’d keep an extra cord leash with me so I could switch.  Jannette’s letter helped me to confirm some of my worries.  After thanking Jannette for her insightful and important points, I set about doing some investigating, myself. 

Courtesy of Jinx!

How Retractable Leashes Can Hurt You And Your Dog

As it turns out, the injuries to dogs that get too far away Jannette mentioned are not the only problem with flexible leashes.  In 2009, Consumer Reports released an article noting that people who used them also suffered from injuries from cuts and rope burns to amputations when a loop of the leash caught around their fingers.  Also, due to the momentum a running dog can generate on these long leashes, the snap-back when the length runs out can cause a number of problems.  In fact, the site for Flexi© brand leashes, a major manufacturer of flexible leashes, posts safety warnings for people about cuts and burns, finger amputation and fractures, wounds to the eyes and face, falls, and injuries to bystanders.   And that doesn’t even include injuries suffered by dogs who get yanked back by their neck and shoulders due to the sudden stop from running!

Are  Retractable  Leashes Ever Safe?

So, does all this mean flexible leashes are evil?  No.  As with all leashes and training tools, they have their uses when handled properly.  As noted in an article on the Flexi© site by the president of Animal Behavior College, these leashes can have advantages in specific situations, such as housebreaking, training a dog to stay or come or for people whose arthritic hands make holding a regular leash difficult.  That said, this article, the Flexi© Special Precautions and Directions page and video and the booklet included with each Flexi© retractable leash note that these flexible leashes should only be used in public with dogs who are already well trained to come, sit, heel and otherwise behave properly on walks. 

Know Thyself, Know Thy Dog, Know Thy Leash

Of course, this illustrates the major lesson for safe and enjoyable dog walking: The person walking the dog must know how to control the dog and use the leash properly, themselves. Learning the methods and equipment that works for your own particular dog is a mark of responsible pet guardianship.  This does not mean picking up one particular kind of leash, collar, halter or harness, with or without advice.  It does not even mean following one specific method of training.  It means committing yourself to paying close attention to the dog and responding.  You need to get to know your dog’s personality, body language, habits and likes/dislikes, so you can observe when danger is looming and figure out what motivates the right behavior for your dog.  You need to stay aware of other people, dogs, vehicles and animals around you just as you would when walking with a child – imagining that child being exceedingly strong, heavy, fast and impulsive! And with leashes, collars and equipment, you need to read the directions and warnings, too.  Most people wouldn’t use a car seat for their child without making sure it was rated safe, in good working condition, and fit the size and weight of the child and car properly.  They also would want to be sure that car seat was properly installed and used.  For the safety of yourself, your dog, other people and animals, this should hold true for dog leashes, collars, halters and harnesses, too.

Remember, just because your neighbor’s dog or your childhood pet responded well to a standard collar and dog biscuits does not mean your current dog will.  Your dog may work better with a halter and a different sort of reward, but you have to experiment to find out.  Don’t be afraid to sign up for classes at your local ASPCA, Humane Society or training group so both you and your dog can learn safe dog walking and socialization together, forming a great new bond at the same time.  And remember, if that class doesn't work, don’t give up!  Another method might be the right one for you and your dog.

What Do I Recommend?

So, what’s my take on flexible leashes?  Overall, they are not my preference, and I would not recommend them unless both the dog and person were well trained in their use.  I would also suggest that dog guardians keep a standard leash available for situations where they need more control, or for use by other people who are not familiar with walking the dog, be they veterinary staff, dog walkers or family members.  Flexible leashes may work for and even have advantages in some cases.  However, until you are informed about them or any pet product and know how to use them, proceed with caution.