Extendable dog leads

I’d ban the wretched things. I narrowly missed killing 2 cockerpoos that ran in front of my car. Luckily I saw them approaching, owner on the phone with 2 young, giddy untrained dogs on ridiculously long extendable leads. I slowed right down and was able to stop when they ran into the road, the owner continued talking on her phone.

A training lead is good for young dogs whose recall isn’t 100% and only in open countryside while training is taking place. Otherwise, train your dog to walk to heel on or off lead in open spaces. By roads they’re on a short lead

Thanks for suggesting joining “The dogs trust charity” it’s only £12.50 a year if over 60. You get insurance cover for your pet dog, 3 magazines a year and access to 24hr vet help phone line. In addition, they will take your dog in to rehome if you die before the dog. Note this is not medical cover for your dog but liability insurance-in other words you’ll be covered if your dog damages others property or causes an accident.

Can I point out that if you become a member of The Dogs Trust you get liability insurance of £1 million. Insurance is essential if you have a dog.

As a dog owner, extendable leads are for open spaces or woods, not pavements.

SuzieHi

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.

Yes, before I read your comment I was going to comment that that’s one of the risks of having the dog on an extended lead in a busy area. Although I use an extendable lead in parks or fields I use a short lead near roads as I worry that I might accidentally press the release button on the extended lead should my dog make a sudden rush.

It worries me when I see young children using them. They do have their uses. I went on holiday without one last year but bought one when we were away because I wanted my dog to be able to sniff all the exciting things she was finding on the beach but didn’t want her to take off after rabbits and deer in the dunes. I had an awful rope burn from a long line the other year when I grabbed it so I dread to think what an extending lead burn is like.

I agree. We have them for our dogs but do not extend them in a public place, they are kept short as a normal lead would be. They can be dangerous for the users too,I have had horrible skin burns from where I have grabbed the cord and it has pulled along my skin! I have also gone flying when a running dog reached the maximum extension!!!

Taylor2016

I got knocked over in my local park in February by a dog that ran up behind me (similar to a rugby tackle) who wasn't on a lead.
I've got 8 pin's in my ankle /metal plate and unable to work. My sister had to move in for 16 weeks. I got paid SSP from my employer until August am still battling with Job Centre as regards claiming employment support allowance (which is national insurance contribution based). I am due back to work end of this month to see how I get on as my ankle is still swollen & unable to move freely. I've just finished physio and hospital has said this is as good as it get's.
There is two signs in the park stating 'Dog's to be kept on a lead'
Solicitor contacted and barrister isn't prepared to take my case further as it was an accident and could not prove the dog was at fault or had caused any damage to other people.
My life has changed because of this.

My ex husband was knocked off his bike last year by a dog running loose in a country park he was cycling through it.. Thankfully it was all soft tissue damage but we really thought he’d broken his hip. Don’t know how he managed to get home. He nearly missed his covid vaccine because of of it, too. I’m so sorry that you’ve been so badly injured. It’s another reason why we insure our dog. imo all go owners should be made to take out third party insurance. I had a dog many years ago that took off from a field I was walking her in and headed straight towards a main road at rush hour. Thankfully I managed to catch her, but I made sure I was insured after that.

I have been jumped on by dogs on long leads and not on any lead. I have almost fallen a few times and not good to fall at my age.
As sodapop said. No bad dogs just irresponsible owners.

That's appalling!
It really is selfish of people to allow their dogs to hurtle around like that.

I got knocked over in my local park in February by a dog that ran up behind me (similar to a rugby tackle) who wasn't on a lead.
I've got 8 pin's in my ankle /metal plate and unable to work. My sister had to move in for 16 weeks. I got paid SSP from my employer until August am still battling with Job Centre as regards claiming employment support allowance (which is national insurance contribution based). I am due back to work end of this month to see how I get on as my ankle is still swollen & unable to move freely. I've just finished physio and hospital has said this is as good as it get's.
There is two signs in the park stating 'Dog's to be kept on a lead'
Solicitor contacted and barrister isn't prepared to take my case further as it was an accident and could not prove the dog was at fault or had caused any damage to other people.
My life has changed because of this.

Some dogs can’t be trusted to walk to heel, though. I have sighthounds and, no matter how good they are home or in an enclosed area if they see something in the distance, a deer or a rabbit they’re off!

sodapop

No bad dogs just bad owners.

This, absolutely! I have to admit I'm not a fan of extendable leads. I feel some irresponsible owners use them as an 'easy way out' of having to actually train their dog to walk to heel, which should be a basic for any owner. Our Labs have always been trained to walk to heel and we use a basic slip lead.

I haven't heard that word for ages.
My daughter used to use one of those on her dog. when it was pulling her arms out of their sockets

We had a dog on an extending lead run into the road in front of us one day. Thankfully we’re always on the look out for things like that and slowed down. The owner of the dog was oblivious to it happening. I do use one sometimes because my dog has no recall and it’s a good way of letting her have more freedom to sniff around when we’re walking away from roads but never use one when walking near a road. I usually use a halti.

And I spelt bizarre wrong, pedants!
Great gnashing of teeth...

I saw a woman on 'Bizzare E.R' who lost a few fingers when walking her dog on one of those leads.
Chopped em clean off!

I use one but only away from people so while in the woods or along an old logging path, in the hills etc. I would never use it walking anywhere else, I keep a slip lead in my bag in case we have to go into anywhere that could be busy with people or traffic. They should have a warning on the fronts of the packs I think not to be used in built up or crowded areas or on roads /pavements

I hate extendable leads and would ban them. They are dangerous. A dog on a lead should walk beside their owner on a loose lead not several feet away, going at it's own pace. IMHO every dog should be taught to walk on the lead properly just as they should also be taught to come back when not on the lead. I've got a border terrier and he will walk to heel off lead because I took the time to train him. It makes walking him an absolute pleasure.

I agree 100% can’t stand them ! Never used one with my lovely black Labrador !

No bad dogs just bad owners.

Josianne ?? they seem to be the lockdown dog of the moment, with owners who have little interest in training manners into their little terrors. Putting head back below the parapet now!

cavapoo ( do not like these breeds anyway as they always seem to be very naughty)

It seems ridiculous that a business owner or employer can quite rightly be sued or prosecuted if they leave stuff lying around that someone could fall over, but dog owners can merrily walk around public areas full of people, including frail and elderly, trailing these tripping hazards all over the place.

I've commented on these leads on a previous thread, dog owner was walking along the kerb with the dog on an extended lead walking parallel to the owner on the far edge of the pavement. I was walking behind and had to walk in the road to get past. The dog owner knew I was there but just ignored the situation. These leads are a dangerous nuisance and I know of several pet accessory dealers who refuse to stock them.