Retractable leads. Whats your opinion?

Mrs.P · by Mrs.P on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 08:59

I've been walking Lola with an outdoor training lead, but its started to give me friction burns as she races away so fast. Are the retractable leads any good? I think they look really lightweight and flimsy. Really like giving Lola some freedom when in the dog park or field, but cant let her off if anyone else is about, as she doesnt come back. Are they sronger than they look? Also, how the hell do you get your pups back when you have let them off lead? Feel like a crappy leader as I dont let her off unless we are alone.

**staffie2** · by **staffie2** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 09:13

some are good when they are still puppies but i found it hard when molly got to around 7 months to find one strong enough . twice we had them snap! and she would attepmt to run off. oh! just noticed another essex member aswell brillant. Smile

**squidgy82000** · by **squidgy82000** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 09:28

Trouble was pup when broke his which was designed for a 35kg dog but i dont actually believe that it was as it look really flimsy i think the ones that are designed for 50 kg look the strongest the recall you need to work on in the garden every time you call her name or phrase treat her my calling is "this way "as sometimes he does like to run ahead , this was easy for everyone to use the same phrase and he has learnt really well , you could try and find an enclosed area like a tennis court to practice to , but in all honesty let go of the training lead when there is no one around this way if she doesnt come back you can run up to the lead and put your foot on it ,it is a confidence thing on your part as well ,

so
1.practice as much at home , in the garden
2.find an enclosed area
3.find a bit of the park with no one around
4.let go of the training lead but stay close to the end of it , perhaps tire her out a bit before you do this
5.have confidence in yourself ,you are a great mum

Rubys mama · by Rubys mama on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 09:32

I was using a retractable lead up until about a month ago and Ruby is now 9 months but i feel the one i have got is just not strong enough for her now.It hasn't snapped yet but i just don't trust it.You can buy heavy duty ones with a high breaking strain cos i've seen them in pets at home.I might invest in one. It's difficult because i can't let Ruby off when other dogs are about but it's nice to let her have that little bit of freedom with the extendy lead.

**watts1974** · by **watts1974** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:00

I don't like extendable leads, I wouldn't trust the strength of them and I dislike how "bulky" they feel in my hand, as I couldn't hold more than one in one hand they are pretty useless for me anyway!

**staffie2** · by **staffie2** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:08

yes they are pretty rubbish you be better off buying a lunging lead i used to use them for my horses they are long and strong just an idea?

**watts1974** · by **watts1974** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:21

Excellent idea staffie2, stronger and cheaper than the dog equivalant!

**Maistaff** · by **Maistaff** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:24

I have one for each of mine and i have no issues with them myself as my guys don't pull.

Lunge lines are amazing, when i sold my horse i gave mine away to a friend to use with his staffs and he swears by it Big grin

**P3nT4gR4m** · by **P3nT4gR4m** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:25

I favour the long line over the extending lead simply because miniature poodle and chihuaha owners almost always have their rat-on-a-string at the far end of one of those things. Similar reason I wouldn't be seen dead wearing burberry - I'm prejudiced Blush

I got a 10meter longline from P@H for about 15 or 20 quid.

**watts1974** · by **watts1974** on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:30

Maistaff how do you get on holding more than one lead in each hand? Maybe I have freakishly small hands lol but the ones I saw were very bulky and i couldn't have held more than one!

Miso · by Miso on Tue 04 Aug 2009, 10:55

I have a 5 metre retractable and use a lot of technique in place of hoping that it doesn't snap. My thumb is getting a big workout from clicking the 'brake' on and off. Whenever I think that it's possible that she will be in a situation when she might want to run off to a person or dog I'll make sure that i'm up close to her and click on the 'brake', then get her to sit and wait and focus on me anyway. It takes a bit of work, but I feel like it's worth it - she gets long lead, and training.

shed · by shed on Mon 12 Oct 2009, 20:20

i walk mine on a normal lead in the street and an extractable one on field unless theres no one around then i let him off

**allie** · by **allie** on Mon 12 Oct 2009, 20:57

Cassie nearly pulled my shoulder out when she dashed off on her retractable lead, so I dont use one, have you tried a pair of leather gloves to stop the rope burns

**staffylover70** · by **staffylover70** on Mon 12 Oct 2009, 21:01

I use the flexi 3 which I think is the biggest I can buy and have had no issues with it. I like to use it when we are on the fields to allow Reuben some freedom as recall is not 100% so I don't let him off regularly unless we are in the park where we use the tennis courts/football pitches.
I think the lead was about £23 from pets at home

**Mattchewone** · by **Mattchewone** on Mon 12 Oct 2009, 21:05

I dont like the look of them, they look bulky and unless you spend alot of money on one i dont think it will be very good.

I like to have patch close to me when walking and when on fields we either use the 30m training lead or we let him off. We either put him back on the lead when we see or dog or just let him have a play. We dont come across many dogs on our walk which is a pain as i dont get a chance to practice his recall with distractions.

Swiss · by Swiss on Tue 13 Oct 2009, 07:57

staffylover70 wrote:I use the flexi 3 which I think is the biggest I can buy and have had no issues with it. I like to use it when we are on the fields to allow Reuben some freedom as recall is not 100% so I don't let him off regularly unless we are in the park where we use the tennis courts/football pitches.
I think the lead was about £23 from pets at home

Same here SL.

Can I ask whereabouts in Cheshire you are?

**staffylover70** · by **staffylover70** on Tue 13 Oct 2009, 12:22

Stalybridge - not far from you. I actually got Reuben from Stockport

Swiss · by Swiss on Tue 13 Oct 2009, 14:05

Stayleyvegas - yes thats it; you have said before.

Maybe we could hook up Reuben & Buster (Millie is a bit funny)?

**staffylover70** · by **staffylover70** on Tue 13 Oct 2009, 20:35

Yes no problem, it would have to be somewhere secure and not too strenuous yet as my ankle is still in recovery. I can do some off road walking but can only manage about half an hour - 45mins.
If that sounds OK put something in gen discussion and we can arrange a meet. There are others in this area that may want to join as well, Kaz, Mikey, Time to shine

yarder · by yarder on Tue 13 Oct 2009, 22:17

P3nT4gR4m wrote:I favour the long line over the extending lead simply because miniature poodle and chihuaha owners almost always have their rat-on-a-string at the far end of one of those things. Similar reason I wouldn't be seen dead wearing burberry - I'm prejudiced

I got a 10meter longline from P@H for about 15 or 20 quid.

I have one of those too . . . But my pup is ok off lead in the park at 15 weeks but I know when the teenager phase comes I will need it =D. x

Indy2007 · by Indy2007 on Thu 15 Oct 2009, 02:17

I just bought a retractable lead recently for using at our block of land. We often go there as we're about to start building a new house and I needed something with a bit of length to it so Indy could move away but not run away. There are animals in the paddocks next door and the property is full of rabbits so we're wary letting her off the lead.
To be honest, everytime I use it I feel like it's going to snap as Indy takes off at lightening speed. So far it's held up ok but when they are out at full length you do need to use recall to get your dog back so you can shorten it and put the brake on.
I really think it's a personal choice, I like it but hubby complains everytime I put it on her

jacksmum26 · by jacksmum26 on Thu 15 Oct 2009, 10:13

ive used one from day one with jack we have one of the heavy duty ones for big dogs and never really had a problem with one apart from the time he chewed through one when at a mates!

they aint great for close control i use his short lead if we are in town etc but its perfect for normal walks he can wander and have a sniff and i keep him from getting in to trouble

BLACKCOUNTRY · by BLACKCOUNTRY on Tue 03 Nov 2009, 08:03

For such a young puppy I wouldnt use a retractable lead for "walks". Get a plain lead for this. In a park when you want to use a retractable, buy a heavy duty one, not a cheap and nasty one. But until your pup is trained not to pull, a retractable lead will just pull your shoulder out of its socket when he gets to the end of it.....

**Cairo's mum** · by **Cairo's mum** on Tue 03 Nov 2009, 10:09

allie wrote:Cassie nearly pulled my shoulder out when she dashed off on her retractable lead, so I dont use one, have you tried a pair of leather gloves to stop the rope burns

thats exactly what happned to me.my arm hurt for days after.it was ok when she was smaller,but nowadays i wouldnt dream of using one with her.

kellyx · by kellyx on Sat 07 Nov 2009, 23:33

I've got a retractable lead it cost around £20-30pound as i got the strongest so it would last Kia, before i got her this lead i would let her off over the park an it would be a nightmare for her 2 come back 2me! she would just run off.. now since i have used a retractable lead when i walk her when the retractable lead is off lock i call her and she stops an comes back 2 me.. shes done this for a few months, now over the park she comes back 2 me when shes off a lead!!
if anything it trains them i think.. well it worked with my stubborn Kia.xxx

Retractable leads. Whats your opinion?

Retractable leads. Whats your opinion?

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Re: Retractable leads. Whats your opinion?

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Re: Retractable leads. Whats your opinion?

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