Extendable dog leads

I hate them. This post came at a pertinent time for me, I tripped over one yesterday when someone’s badly train cavapoo ( do not like these breeds anyway as they always seem to be very naughty) and the owners didn’t even apologise. If I’d been with my mil who is instead on her feet and in her 90’s she would have had a nasty accident.
The dog trainers I’ve used over the years all advise against them.

That's not good fiorentina51.

I think a lot of inexperienced dog owners might be those who acquired a dog during lockdown? They don't get it.
I am always prepared that if my dogs move in for the bum sniffing lark that I quickly walk myself and the lead round to to the back end if you understand that! Less tangles.

I live in sheltered and the owners of dogs always have their dogs on an extended lead, I even reported it to the manager as there are some frail elderly here. Its made no difference the dogs are still on the long leads.

I had an "interesting" experience whilst walking round the grounds of a National Trust property.

Picture the scene,
A crowded area near the main house, lots of people and dogs (pandemic restrictions had just been eased.) Some dogs on conventional leads but most on extendable.
Lots of signs at regular intervals reminding people to socially distance and for dogs to be on short leads.....all ignored.

One idiot with 2 dogs on long leads walking in front of their owner suddenly decided to sniff on opposite sides of the path and criss cross each other.
This led to several other dogs getting entangled in the leads of the two belonging to the idiot.
Cue pandemonium.
DH narrowly avoided being tripped up in the chaos.
Wish I'd had my camera handy.

But that's the problem polyester57. So many dog owners don't use common sense and as a result are a menace in public spaces.

I have used an extendable lead for more than 20 years without accident. Though I agree with Josianne that it absolutely has to be the ribbon type rather than the string. I nearly took my finger off when the string wrapped itself around it! Otherwise, I don´t see a problem, if used responsibly, ie. looking ahead and reining your dog in if in an area with traffic, pedestrians, etc. You also have to be vigilant when coming round corners, crossing driveways, etc. It´s surely all about common sense.

I can't remember if there was a booklet with the leads when we bought them stating how to use them responsibly. It would be a good idea even to have a printed message on the actual casing, something like .... "reel in and lock when near people in busy places."

Problems only arise when people don't know how to use them correctly, and unfortunately there are plenty who don't.

SusieHi yes I can see that happening. Poor people and dog.

There's two types of extending leads, the thin wire ones which are difficult to see and give rope burns, and the thicker tape ones in all colours. We have bright red. But it still our responsibility to keep the dogs tight on the lock when in town.

Walking my dog on a normal lead she became entangled with another dog on an extending lead. In the struggle to release her the nylon extending lead became wrapped around my wrist and gave me a really nasty rope burn. I steer well clear of extending leads now.

SusieHi That's awful. Your poor friend and her dog - and the driver too!

They are mobile trip wires to me. I can’t see them, I can’t change direction suddenly and my balance is rubbish! They are fine when used correctly, but so many people don’t bother.

Friends dog, on an extendable lead, shot into the road and was killed by a car. Very dangerous- should only be used away from roads and people.

I have both types of leads but much prefer the extendable one because it has a comfortable hand grip.

I consider it very thoughtless of owners when they don’t keep the lead short when on busy paths.

My dog only had the full lead length when we do our wood walk. It gives her the chance to enjoy all the smells around her. After all, the walk is for her enjoyment, as much as mine. However, when we pass the occasional person on the tracks , I shorten the lead.

I agree they should not be used whilst walking on footpaths in public places and have heard it said many times but how can this be enforced?

I like those leads but I only use them in wilderness areas where there aren't people around. If one or two people pass in that time, I pull the lead in until they are past. Those leads are completely impractical in any suburban area. I use a shorter lead around those areas so I can keep the dog closer to me. The extendable leads are a great way to keep the dogs under control while allowing them some freedom to explore - in the right context. They are thin and hard to see though. Maybe they need to be made brighter?

Grannynannywanny

My Dil’s sister had a nasty accident due to one last year. Out walking with her husband and 2 children and a dog owner had the lead fully extended across the path. She tripped and struck her head on a wall and was knocked out. She lay unconscious for 30 mins with her husband and 2 children looking over her while they waited for an ambulance.

The dog owner quickly moved on without even an apology. Thankfully she fully recovered after an overnight in hospital. The leads are fine when used properly but careless and irresponsible dog owners are a problem.

That's absolutely disgraceful. How can that person live with themselves. They could have caused a fatal accident for all they knew.

I see this often - and the owners expect you to go around the lead, rather than they rein in the dog!

My Dil’s sister had a nasty accident due to one last year. Out walking with her husband and 2 children and a dog owner had the lead fully extended across the path. She tripped and struck her head on a wall and was knocked out. She lay unconscious for 30 mins with her husband and 2 children looking over her while they waited for an ambulance.

The dog owner quickly moved on without even an apology. Thankfully she fully recovered after an overnight in hospital. The leads are fine when used properly but careless and irresponsible dog owners are a problem.

My husband is guilty of that with our dogs. I have to keep reminding him to reel the dog in as I have also had to unravel myself on a few occasions.
Our dogs have harnesses but that still doesn't stop them extending the length of the lead for a good old sniff. I think the only way is not to use the extendable ones when in places with more people.

I agree Beswitcbed, the main reason for having a dog on a lead is to have firm control, a dog on an extendable lead is not under control! What happened to dogs walking to heel? Of course dogs need space and opportunity to run and be free, but in a public place on an extendable lead is not the place.

In the circumstances you describe, they certainly are a hazard. I thought the intention of them was to allow dogs to roam more in open spaces, without letting them off the lead, not to let them roam in the street.

While it's no excuse for dog owners being so careless, it might help a bit if the leads were brightly coloured instead of black, and thus easier to see.

I agree Beswitched they can be dangerous and often used by dog owners who don't train their dogs. I have never used this type of lead for any of my dogs.