Super Collar for off leash walks

[Meridith and Lola]

I just bought this collar:

Super Collar

It is a lead and collar in one.  The lead disappears when you drop it.  

I used it this morning on our walk to Central Park where Lola plays off leash.  I think it is pretty amazing as I don't have to carry the leash with me.  It is a pretty short lead so she also walks more in a heel position than typical.

I don't think I will use it when we are not planning on being off leash as it is somewhat limiting when we stop to say hello to other dogs or people which happens very often but it will be great for our beach outings and off leash times in the parks.  

The wires are actually soft to touch but there are warnings that they can be dangerous in certain situations so the collar is definitely not for everyone or every situation.

I got a lot of inquiries about it.  I feel like I could set up a stand in the park and sell them by the dozens.

Has anyone else used this collar or similar?

Thoughts?

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have not used this type of collar but it looks really cool and what a great idea.  Even though the collar has warnings, but if the collar works in your situations then I would use it.   BTW... Lola is sooooo cute :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's hard for me to tell from the photos, but it looks like a variation of a retractible leash. Retractible leashes are not recommended, as they can be dangerous, as mentioned with this one, and they also actually teach a dog to pull. There have been discussions about this here, especially in the training group.

What I'm not understanding is what this type of collar has to do with off leash walks? The leash retracts into the collar, so you don't have to unclip a leash, carry it, and clip it back on...is that the only advantage?

[Adina P]

I'm with Karen.  It doesn't HELP you train off leash work.  It just makes it so you don't have to carry a leash--which is beside the point.  Clark used to use an opposite sort of leash with Cass.  It was a retractable leash all in one tiny little thing he carried.  When he wanted to leash Cass up he could but didn't have to carry anything.  Still that had nothing to do with her training or making it easier to train her.  You still have to catch your dog if it is not trained.

[Meridith and Lola]

Lola is well trained off leash - I didn't say anything about it being a training tool but if you have a well trained dog with a great recall it's a nice alternative to carrying a leash with you if you do a lot of off leash activities.

The retractable part is only 3 feet long so I don't think it has the same issues as the long retractables. I once got badly sliced behind my knee by a careless user of a wire retractable leash - very painfual and took a long time to heal.  This one goes back automatically when you drop the handle.

Again definitely not for everyone but thought it might be useful for some.

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Meridith, Good job for getting Lola to the point where she is well trained off leash. I dream of this day :)

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Yes, that's quite an accomplishment!

[Meridith and Lola]

Thanks - we do it almost every day.  It is one of the things I love about living in New York City - it is so dog friendly.  When you do visit NYC - you should definitely check out Central Park before 9 am.  You would be amazed how many dogs play off leash without any incidents throughout the entire park.  There is even a group called Central Park Paws that host Bagel Barks once a month at a different location where you come with your dogs during off-leash hours and they supply coffee, bagels, danish.

[Leslie and Halas]

That sounds fun!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Bagels and Dogs....two of my favorite things :)

[Suzanne & Jack]

That sounds like fun.

 

[Adina P]

Good work Merideth!  For some reason I read it as 'for off leash work'.   that case, if it works then great.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Me too. :)