Scottsdale dog walking-retractable leashes
September 1, 2010
As a Scottsdale pet sitter, I walk many dogs. The clients I that I walk that use retractable leashes are the most difficult, even though the dogs are good walkers.
I personally dont like them because the part you hold is uncomfortable and bulky. There is a huge plastic thing in between me and the dog. When I walk a dog, I like to be connected to the dog via a regular leash. The dog and I walk as one. The dogs can feel my energy through a regular leash. They cant with a retractable.
I have walked dogs that are on leash aggressive and if they are on a retractable leash with some slack, they can run around and act like idiots. It take a few seconds for me to reel them in. If a dog sees something and bolts, they can since the retractable let them pull when they want.
I heard a horror story from a guy at the dog park. He had his poodle on a retractable leash. He bent over to pick up its poop and a car drove by and the dog ran to chase the tires and got run over. Would have never happened with a regular leash.
Another Scottsdale dog owner told me about a near death experience when her dog greeted a dog on a retractable leash. The dogs got excited and danced around sniffing and then playing and the retractable leashes cord got wrapped around her dogs neck and was tightened when the dog pulled.
I’ve seen dogs tripped by other dogs retractable leash cord, Ive had skin burns from the cord getting wrapped around my ankles.
And when a dog i was pottying got approached by a “friendly dog” and the dog wasnt so friendly, It took me a few seconds to reel the dog in and I had to grab the leash part and speed the process up to avoid a fight!
And dogs dont learn any manners on a long retractable leash. They lead so they feel like they are the alpha.
The only situation I think a retractable leash is ok is in apartment complexes or homes with no fence when you are just standing outside to potty your dog. And thats the tape type retractable, not the cord. The cord ones should be banned.
Look at all these dangers and ask yourself if it is worth it...http://www.flexiusa.com/operation/safety-advice.php
And google retractable leash danger or retractable leash horror stories….amputated fingers, killed dogs, not worth it.
