SO many reasons to say "NO" to retractable leashes!

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I HATE retractable leashes! And yet there are so many that use them. I was reminded of the reasons why you should never let this monster enter your house. Yesterday, Buster, a Goldendoodle who lives in Virginia, got lost after his owner fell down and lost control of his leash. His RETRACTABLE leash. Many Facebook posts were shared and thank God Buddy was found today! He was stuck in the woods with his leash and collar still attached. His leash got caught in the brush. I am sure he spent a very cold night out in the Virginia woods alone. I am grateful that is the only hardship he suffered. Imagine if he had a run-in with a wild animal. He was totally defenseless! Here are the top 10 reasons retractable leashes are NOT recommended as published by a vet. All of them are good reasons but Number 8 should be at the top of the list! A frightened dog may be "chased" into traffic by that leash. 

By Dr. Becker

A retractable leash is not so much a leash as it is a length of thin cord wound around a spring-loaded device housed inside a plastic handle. The handles of most retractable leashes are designed to fit comfortably in a human hand. A button on the handle controls how much of the cord is extended.

Retractable leashes are popular primarily because they aren't as confining as regular leashes, allowing dogs more freedom to sniff and poke around on walks. But unfortunately, there are many downsides to this type of leash.

10 Reasons Not to Use a Retractable Leash

1. The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous. A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.

2. In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises. It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.

3. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. Not only can that put the dog and whatever he may be chasing in danger, but also the cord can snap back and injure the human at the other end.

4. If a dog walker gets tangled up in the cord of a retractable leash, or grabs it in an attempt to reel in their dog, it can result in burns, cuts, and even amputation. In addition, many people have been pulled right off their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the leash and keeps going. This can result in bruises, "road rash," broken bones, and worse.

5. Dogs have also received terrible injuries as a result of the sudden jerk on their neck that occurs when they run out the leash, including neck wounds, lacerated tracheas, and injuries to the spine.

6. Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."

7. The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog. 

8. Along those same lines, many dogs – especially fearful ones – are terrorized by the sound of a dropped retractable leash handle and may take off running, which is dangerous enough. To make matters worse, the object of the poor dog's fear is then "chasing" her, and if the leash is retracting as she runs, the handle is gaining ground on her – she can't escape it. Even if this scenario ultimately ends without physical harm to the dog (or anyone else), it can create lingering fear in the dog not only of leashes, but also of being walked.

9. Retractable leashes, like most retractable devices, have a tendency to malfunction over time, either refusing to extend, refusing to retract, or unspooling at will. 

10. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash. By their very nature, retractables train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.

If your dog is well trained, gentle mannered and smart enough to master a regular leash and a retractable leash without being confused, you could be one of the rare guardians that can walk your pooch on any kind of leash without increasing risks to either one of you.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Thanks for posting this, Lori. It always bothers me when I see anyone using a retractable leash. If it were up to me, they would be outlawed. A small dog in my neighborhood was recently hit & killed when a car turned into a driveway; the dog was way too far ahead of the owner, who didn't see the car coming up behind him, and probably couldn't have "reeled him in" fast enough if he had seen it.  In addition to the dangers listed, they are also dangerous to humans, and there have been many incidents of people being badly hurt by retractable leashes, cut, burned, tripped, fingers amputated, etc. These types of leashes also basically teach a dog to pull, which is the opposite of what you want when walking a dog. They're just plain bad all the way around. Whenever I see someone using one, I automatically assume the person is either ignorant or lazy.

I'm so glad Buster was found relatively unharmed. 

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

Me too! Im sure it was freezing there last night. Poor baby was probably scared to death once that leash started "chasing" him. Hopefully his family will learn that lesson. 

How awful for the owner of the small dog as well as the neighbor that hit him. Just sad all the way around!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

I wish that someone would gently post a hint on Buster's owner's FB post. I was hoping to see something to the effect of "no more retractable leashes for us" but no such luck. :(

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

I actually did send her a PM. I tried to be positive and expressed happiness that he was found safe. I know she read it but she didn't respond. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

That's all you can do. Thanks for trying. 

[Debbie and Toby]

I also thank you for bringing this to every one's attention. We have never used a retractable lease, am not a fan of these. With the holiday season upon us, this is a very good reminder for those getting a new puppy, or buying new "accessories" for their furbaby. All of our leashes have the extra "handle" on them, just because there are many times I like to make sure I have full control and Toby is right at my side. It is scary to read all these scenarios that can happen! So sad about the small dog hit by a car. Heartbreaking!  I see so many people using these, and a lot of times the dogs are so far ahead of their humans, that they are definitely in danger. I agree with Karen. they should be outlawed. They are not safe.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Another good article on the dangers of retractable leashes:

Retractable Leashes: Dangerous And Deadly For Dogs And Humans

[Lori, Daphne, Lucy & Pippa]

That is a great article! Thanks Karen!

[Debbie and Toby]

I'm glad Buster was found. Hopefully the owners will ditch the retractable leash.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you so much for posting this, Lori.  I hate retractable leashes.  To me people who use them are too lazy to actually walk their dogs, be in control of their dogs, or actually care if their dogs are safe.  A lady once stopped me and asked about my dogs - the ones at my side, while her small dog was stretched all the way across the road sniffing.  The lady was oblivious that a vehicle was coming and the outcome was NOT going to be pretty.  Or the time we were driving down the campground road and people had their dogs stretched across the road from our vehicle.  What did they think was going to happen if we didn't see that thin cord stretching across the road????

[Judy, Meg & Polly Wolly Doodle]

I don't like them either.  I worked with a woman that lost the end of her finger when it got caught in one and my sister's leg got a bad cut when her grandson's bulldog wrapped around it and tangled her up.  I would not have one and try to talk everyone that will listen out of them.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

I hate retractable leashes too, yet so many people use them.  Thanks for posting this....great info especially for new puppy owners.