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Am I wrong to use a Flexi-leash while pack walking dogs?
I sometimes read comments where flexi-leashes are Ill advised and frowned upon, but I’m not sure why, or the reasoning behind this. I pack walk my two big Labs, a bungee lead end attached to each dog and a 25 ft super duty flexi-leash attached at the middle. We mostly pack walk along rural country roads with little traffic and the very rare pedestrian. I find that by allowing this extra freedom of movement the dogs get into a walking rhythm and eventually start an amazing dance of changing places and weaving back and forth.
I would never recommend this for anyone not able to, or confident in handling 200 pounds of four-legged muscle, or for anyone not experienced in untangling dogs while going at a good jogging speed. And I realize it could be dangerous hooking dogs together that don’t get along or if they don’t respond well to my commands. While I’m not advocating this for others, but for me it is a great way for the three of us to get good exercise as I enjoy their synchronized dance moves!
I want to be sensitive to concerns of other dog people so I don’t use flexi-leashes when, for example, we visit our local beach (designated for walking dogs) at times other dog walkers are there. But I’m not sure if flexi-leashes are considered bad – and if they are bad, why do dog people not like them?
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8 Replies
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I prefer not to use them because they are in a constant state of pulling. One of my training goals is to teach the dog not to pull on the leash and the flexileash makes that not possible. (That’s my two cents.????) Andi
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Kudos, first of all, for being thoughtful about the equipment you’re using and considerate of others around you. That’s safe dog-walking off to a good start right there.
I am a (rare?) trainer who is a fan of Flexi-leashes, under the right circumstances. For example, I agree with Andi above who expressed concern about them encouraging dogs to pull. For that reason, I would not use them on a dog that does not otherwise have good leash manners.
However, for a dog with lovely manners, that responds to my vocal cues (or better yet is in the habit of paying attention to me), and remains calm in all encounters (human, animal, bicycle, etc.), I think a Flexi-leash can be a really pleasant way to go.
Having said that, just like they’re not for every dog, they are definitely not for every environment. They have no place, for example, on a city street or highly trafficked area. But for a quiet country road, or even a suburban area where there’s space and not a lot of foot traffic, I think Flexi-leashes afford a measure of freedom that’s nice for both dog and human.
One last word about Flexi-leashes and that is, whenever using a Flexi-leash, the handler has to be paying attention. IMO it’s not a piece of equipment you can slap on and forget about. When using a Flexi-leash (really any leash, come to think of it), you have to constantly remain aware of your environment, and actively anticipate potential obstacles or hazards along the way. On a Flexi-leash especially , where there’s 16 feet between you and your dog, there’s no time to respond, so you do have to be careful to avoid in advance any situation that might be problematic.
Bottom line: with the right dog, in the right environment, with a handler who is paying attention, I think Flexi-leashes can be great. I don’t have any experience with two dogs one one Flexi-leash so I’d be interested to hear from others about their opinion on that. It sounds like it’s working for you though! Thanks for bringing this up
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I am also a fan of flexi-leads under the right circumstances and with very good handling skills/awareness. I definitely understand all the concerns others have pointed out. I like them as an alternate option to long lines sometimes for training exercises, too – in open areas, without dogs or kids around. Ex. attention and recalls from a distance in a field. ????
Long lines are safer but they have less functionality and convenience. There is a CATCH student that made a brilliant product where the harness itself has a retractable leash built in. So the leash coils into a spot on the back of the harness instead of back to the handler. It’s not nearly as long as a flexi, but it is very clever. She’s still working on having it produced at volume to sell. It’s not on the market yet. But it’s another inspirational story that fits a phrase I always tell my kids… “There’s a solution to every problem.”???? -
I’m in the “no, thanks” camp on retractables. I used to use them, especially on smaller dogs. But I had an experience (all good, happy ending) that changed my mind. It falls in the category of “Dumb things I’ve done which make me a wiser trainer.” Aka: Experience. ????
I was walking a client’s sheltie puppy on a retractable in a wide open park. My golden retriever and my friends’ Lab were with us. They were off-leash because they had great recalls. (You can already see where this is going, can’t you!?) Well, the Lab got the zoomies and came running – right between me and the sheltie puppy. I had a split second to make a decision, and I knew if that 75lb Lab hit that skinny cord, the force would injure the puppy’s neck. So I did the only thing I could think of, in that brief moment: I dropped the handle.
If you are familiar with the speed at which a Flexi retracts, imagine this big plastic handle ziplining straight for the little sheltie, who was already a bit nervous being in the park. That handle came charging after her, and she bolted.
Shelties are fast little suckers. I am not.
I took off, running after my client’s puppy with my goofy golden galloping alongside, tail high and tongue lolling. “This is great!” he seemed to be saying. And then, he looked at my face.
An incredible thing happened next. He must have seen my distress and realized I needed some help. He raced ahead of me, body blocked the sheltie, tumbling her in the grass, effectively stopping her.
I scooped her up in my arms and told my boy how very proud of him I was.
So, of course I learned that it was a really dumb idea to have one dog on a flexi while others were loose. I also learned that Flexis CHASE when dropped. And they are easy to drop!
My second story is that I have a photo (that I’ll spare you!) of a nasty burn across my child’s neck from a time he greeted a neighbor’s dog who wiggled in a circle around my son, wrapping the cord around his neck in two seconds. A leash would have not caused such a burn and could have been dropped safely in that situation.
I can see how a retractable can be used successfully and safely in many situations, and I agree that if we choose this tool, we need to be extra vigilant. It’s very easy to get distracted and complacent. I prefer to use a long line if I want to give my dog extra freedom. It does take some handling savvy as well, but the risk of injury seems less.
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I appreciate each comment (and commenter). Andi, your clear/concise answer made a good point. Laurie, I appreciate your courage – and being that ‘rare trainer’- a breath of fresh air. David, so true – the tagline that there is a solution to every problem. I will add to that, “knowledge helps to solve, ignorance often inflames” most every problem. Catherine, you know how to mine the emotions, and bring out belly laughs and guffaws in the ways your hand moves the pen (or tip-taps the keyboard). In all, I’m glad I took the risk to raise this question and expose my ignorance.
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WOW, great comments and insights here. I on the other side don’t have much experience, I have never truly suggested any pet parents buy a Flexi because, well, for larger dogs I feel it is too easy to break up, because the leashes are like thin cords, and for smaller dogs, as Catherine mentioned you can really hit that plastic thing against the dog if you drop and also if there is a need to retract the dog just comes flying into you, because they are so tiny and it actually jerks at the collar or harness that is put on like a sudden yank. So, a big no for flexi unless I have like Cliff’s well-mannered pup <3. Haha
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I am in the camp of “under appropriate circumstances” with a dog who is very well mannered on leash to begin with and ideally, doesn’t have much drive for critters, other dogs, or even people.
I had a similar experience as @Catherine when training:
I also learned that Flexis CHASE when dropped. And they are easy to drop! -Catherine C
I was working with a quite small (seems to be a theme here) toy poodle in Hoboken. We were using the flexi leash for recall practice on the roof of their apartment. The flexi leash slipped out of my hand – I had the length locked for recall, and the poor dog took off with this “monster” chasing him. He was so terrified he started urinating as he ran! I eventually caught up to him and got the leash off him. I felt awful. I swore to myself then no flexi-leashes!
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I used to be a fan but have changed my mind. Re Catherine’s comment, I will add, “Yeah – everything she said.”
My 2 cents is that retractable leads have one appropriate purpose within a very specific set of circumstances – if a dog needs to be leashed, and that dog needs to relieve himself, and it’s pouring rain, and I want to stand in the doorway and stay dry while he goes about his business.
The problems with retractable leashes are numerous. I’ve seen someone get extremely nasty lacerations on their ankles when an excited dog ran in circles around the her. The dog was running too fast to retract the leash or for the handler to step out of the loop, so the handler got lassoed and the nylon-reinforced line cut her quite deeply. That was serious and required medical attention.
I’ve also seen the dropped handle slam into a dog – no permanent harm but still it was a very scared dog running away from this thing that just smacked them hard and is now chasing them.
And we’ve all seen the leash tangle with the handler too far away to even help.Definitely not the right equipment for most people that I have seen using them.
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