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Tag: choosing a dog leash

  • Retractable Leashes: There is a Time and a Place for Them (and Not Just the Trash Can)!

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    I recently wrote an article about why you should throw away your retractable leashes. If you haven’t gotten a chance to check it out, you can read it right here.

    I stand by my belief that these leashes are just terrible. It is much better to use a good and simple leash, like this one, which is available on Amazon. Chewy also has a variety of leashes to choose from.

    Product Available on Amazon

    That being said, I was put in my place and told that these leashes do have a purpose (even if I can’t for the life of me figure it out)!

    Here are some times when you might be able to get away with using a retractable leash.

    Training. 

    If you are in a good location where your dog can’t get to anyone (or any other animals), it may be a useful training tool. You can work on sitting, staying, and coming, without letting go of your dog.

    With well-trained dogs. 

    If your dog listens well and will come back to you when you call, you may be able to use a retractable leash when you take him or her out. However, if he or she is just going to take off and possibly break the leash, you should stick with a shorter and sturdier leash.

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Smaller dogs. 

    Smaller dogs may do fine with a retractable leash. They aren’t going to be able to pull you over when they take off after someone.

    With those who have limited mobility. 

    One person commented that she was in a wheelchair and her retractable leash allowed her dog to move around and not get caught in the wheels of her wheelchair. Since she isn’t as mobile, they were able to get a little farther away from her, and it worked well for her.

    In your own backyard. 

    Someone commented that they used retractable leashes when it was raining or snowing. Their dogs could go outside, do their business, and come in without the owner having to leave their porch!

    Here are some times and places where retractable leashes should never be used.

    The veterinary office. 

    For some reason, most people love these leashes, and they seem to be the most popular leashes that we see in the office. However, that doesn’t mean that they are the best. I have seen way too many dogs get too close to others, simply because their owner doesn’t have any control over their dog on these leashes.

    I have personally been wrapped around multiple times by these leashes, usually on a daily basis! Luckily, it has never caused me to fall, but it could!

    Places where your dog can get too close to another dog. 

    You aren’t going to want to let your dog get too close to another dog, especially if you don’t know if the other dog is friendly or not. He or she may just get too upset about your dog being near him or her, that your dog may be in danger!

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Though it is a personal choice, I don’t know many people who truly believe that retractable leashes are a good idea. People and dogs can get hurt when these leashes aren’t used properly. It can wind around a person, causing them to fall! Your dog may also get away from you and get too close to another dog (who might not be as friendly)!

    That being said, many people said that they worked well for training, as well as dogs that are well-trained. One wheelchair-bound person said she needed the extra line for her dog, while another could stay inside while her dogs went to the bathroom in the rain or snow!

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    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

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    It is also essential to understand that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately. 

  • Throw Away the Retractable Leashes

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Working in the veterinary field, we see a wide variety of collars and leashes used. Carriers — they come in all forms, too, though this article is just going to be about those awful retractable leashes.

    I understand the point of them. You can allow your dog to roam farther away from you than if he or she were on a short leash. However, I don’t believe that makes up for all of their downsides. I have also seen many unfortunate incidents involving retractable leashes.

    Here are some things that can happen when you use a retractable leash.

    The leashes can go out so far, and then they break. 

    At this point, your dog is pretty far away from you, and you may struggle to catch up with him or her. If your dog chases after a rabbit or other animal, you may have no chance of keeping him or her close to you.

    Your dog could also jerk against the leash and hurt his or her neck. 

    Stopping suddenly while running could really injure your dog’s neck. He or she may become stiff and unable to move easily, though it could also severely injure his or her spinal cord or break your dog’s neck. Some dogs have become paralyzed due to the jerk that occurs at the end of the leash.

    These leashes can also hurt people. 

    Many people have gotten wrapped up in retractable leashes. This can trip them. Others get rope burn from the leash rubbing against their legs.

    Even worse, the leash can continue, which could quickly deteriorate the whole situation. Some dogs will wrap themselves around a person multiple times without realizing it!

    Because the leash keeps going, you don’t really have control over your dog, and he or she may get into another pet’s personal space. 

    When out walking, your dog might get into another dog’s face before you can even react. Then, when you try to pull him or her away, it isn’t very easy. You will have to pull and pull to get the leash shorter before you can get your dog under control. If he or she is in a fight, you are just wasting valuable time fighting with the leash.

    When you take your dog to the veterinarian, it may come into contact with a variety of other animals in the clinic. He or she may get a cat all wound up, simply because your dog is too close for comfort.

    Your dog may also get away from you easily. 

    He or she may jump into the street or run right into another person because you don’t have any control over your dog.

    Photo Courtesy of Canva

    Retractable leashes, though the concept is a good idea, really aren’t the best for any dog. They often break once your dog gets to the end of the leash. Your dog could take off after something, and you could lose him or her. Your dog could also hurt him or herself with a retractable leash. Many dogs have broken their neck when they jerk at the end of the line. Some even become paralyzed by them!

    Also, since the leash keeps going, you don’t really have any control over your dog. He or she can run away from you, get into another pet’s face, and even pull you over. Your dog could also wrap it around another person, causing him or her to fall. Rope burns are also familiar with these leashes.

    If you are a serious dog owner, you should invest in a good leash and discard your retractable one for good. When I was training my dog, I used a simple six-foot leash, similar to this one from Amazon. Chewy also offers a variety of leashes for you to choose from. 

    Product Available on Amazon

    ***

    Please note, this article contains affiliate links, where I will receive compensation if you buy the product, without any extra cost to you.

    ***

    It is also important that you understand that the information provided is for educational and informational purposes only. Although I am a veterinary professional, this blog should not be used as a substitute for professional veterinary advice. 

    If your pet is experiencing a medical problem or concern, please contact a veterinary health professional immediately.