To use a retractable lead or not?

How many of you use retractable leads and what kg/ brand are they?

I'd like to use one once Chase is all trained up and behaving himself.

No, without a moment's hesitation, I can't stand the things. Many of them are downright dangerous, especially the very thin cord ones, as they can get caught round necks and stuff. The other thing is that you become reliant on them retracting if needed and you are at the mercy of the mechanism to respond at the speed you want.

You're much better off getting a long training line and learning how to control the length yourself, letting out and coiling in as needed. I use these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/K9-CUSHION-WEBBING-TRAINING-TRACKING-LUNGE-LONG-LINE-13-COLOURS-2-WIDTHS-/262225706542?var=&hash=item3d0ddebe2e:m:myc1Dk8CfL-2ebW_RhjVbng

I prefer the thinner ones, 5m long. You can go longer but I don't find it necessary. That's personal preference though. If you go for a different make, just avoid the thin webbing ones, lighter weight means they're wafty and they are more likely to give you rope burn if your dog does take a pull unexpectedly.

Thank you!
I have this exact one on my watch list on eBay so it might just find itself in my basket.
We need to train him to recall and it will give him some "free" time to learn to play.

I have heard that retractable leads can encourage pulling, kinda why we didn't have one for our last dog, but thought I'd get some staffy owner opinions.

I'm not sure they encourage pulling, Alison, in fact some dogs find the extra length gives them the freedom they seek without pulling so it can help reduce it for them.

I'd slip it into the basket, after all it's not a lot of money and you can use it in the house too.

I agree with Liz. I hate retractable leads, I've seen so many dogs on them run into roads. I use a normal lead for street walks and a 10 meter long line for her in the parks.

We used one when Gus was small but soon ditched it for a training lead. I just didn't trust that it would hold if Gus really wanted to go. I feel a lot more in control with the training lead.

Okay so I'm now thinking it won't be such a good idea.
I did find a 3mtr, 2mtr, 1mtr adjustable lead instead.

Definitely not the extending leads, they are an accident waiting to happen. Lunge line is the way to go, much safer

I really dislike extendable leads for the same reasons; risk of running into the road, if it gets dropped and makes a loud noise due to the plastic handle many dogs will bolt and the rope burns.. oh the rope burns. I previously walked a chihuahua for an older lady who was determined that he needed to be walked on one of these things and it was just an accident waiting to happen with a spooky dog.

I have a 50ft long line and have used this for Bug for years now, I walk her to the fields on her short lead and we practice training during this time to keep up her loose lead walking, but I have found that since getting the time to have her zoomies and crash about the field, her pulling has lessened anyway as she doesn't have so much pent up energy! It can get a bit mucky, but I just turn a carrier bag inside out to scoop it all up and carry it to and from in that. Our has been a life saver, as Bug is a nervous dog who cannot be off lead around other dogs.

i can olny echo what everyone else has said - definitely NOT an extendable!