Best retractable dog lead?

[PuppyMonkey]

We’re on our third or fourth blinking lead now, all of them have been rubbish in some way - clicking weirdly, getting stuck and not going in and out without five or six annoying procedures, being too flimsy, argh. Have got a big daft golden retriever boy and just want a good extendable lead that preferably doesn’t cost too much. HELP!

[PuppyMonkey]

Have a pic if that helps.

[Bookworm4]

None, possibly the worst thing for dogs. Countless injuries to dogs and humans.
Can you train his recall? I use halti training leads; 6ft long, or you can get a training line on Amazon for £6/7, not retractable.

[Bookworm4]

Crosspost
I see he’s off lead, if he has recall there’s no need for a daft extending lead.

[TwattingDog]

Yep, don't use them - they're dangerous.

We have a Halti clip lead for our girl - it can give her a long rope or a short one as we need.

Why do you want a retractable?

[PuppyMonkey]

He’s off lead when appropriate only. His recall is getting better but he goes mad if he sees another dog and won’t always come back (14 months old) so we tend to use a retractable lead if we know we’re going to bump into lots of other dogs.

[PuppyMonkey]

Oh right, I didn’t realise they were frowned upon. I just find retractable is useful for having him close (walking down street) and then letting it loose when he gets to the fields nearby.

[TwattingDog]

They are a nightmare for entanglement - of you, your dog, and other dogs. I hate when my girl meets another dog in a retractable lead, as she ALWAYS gets her ankles tied up. They are linked to serious injuries for all parties... Burns from trying to grab the rope if the lead breaks, neck injuries to dogs from the jerk, leg injuries from entanglement - especially if they try to run off.

They also teach dogs to pull when walking, and no one is really in control of their dog when the lead is extended out, as they can't be pulled back easily.

[PuppyMonkey]

Thanks. Any links or anything to the leads you’re recommending?

[Cherrypies]

I use the Halti retractable lead too, only mine is not cord, its tape. Most accidents are with cord ones as can slice into hands and legs, the tape is thicker. As your dog is already used to it, should be ok. Mine does not like other dogs. So this lets her go further without attacking others. She does recall when she feels like it!

[Montybojangles]

I used the flexi giant 8m retractable lead for our rescue who was a bit of a Houdini who had zero previous training. It’s a tape rather than thin line, so less likely to damage your leg if dog wraps around you, it’s high visibility and the reel is below the handle, so feels easier to hold. There are risks to your dog if they dash off and you let the lead drop, as the handle hitting the dog as it reels in can cause major damage (I’ve heard of broken legs), and risk to you if you keep hold (dog nearly dislocated my shoulder when she spotted a rabbit before i did), but personally I found as long as I was hyper vigilant when she was on a free lead I could control her, reel her in quickly if others were approaching, and it meant she could have a degree of free roaming on walks while she was training. I think it depends on the user. My other half was useless with it. It was cheapest from zooplus on line.

[Montybojangles]

Your dog is gorgeous by the way

[TwattingDog]

Company of Animals Halti Training Lead (6' 6"), Large, Red www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004W7561U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_GGtwDbYMSMNRG?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[PuppyMonkey]

I’m googling frantically here but confused about which Halti things I’m looking for - help!

[pigsDOfly]

I've used a retractable lead with my dog for the whole eight years of her life.

She, nor I have ever been caught up in it and never had an injury either to her or me.

However, my dog is small 6.5kilo and does not pull. I'd never use one on a dog that pulls, especially a large dog as you are setting yourself or the dog up to be injured if the dog suddenly lunges.

If you do want to use one the best is the Flexi make. Always get one that is the right weight for your dog and never, never buy one that has any metal in the lead, they are incredibly dangerous. So tape only. And only ever attached to a harness, never a collar.

I get impatient when people dismiss them out of hand as dangerous. Used properly and with the right dog they're absolutely fine.

However, until your dog no longer pulls or lunges you should stick to a long training lead.

Extending leads are not suitable for training recall.

[PuppyMonkey]

Thanks Twatting - cross post!

[TwattingDog]

No worries! This one is fab - all our friends have one now too 😂 It can also be used to clip on or tie up in the pub etc... I clip it around my waist at times, so hands free dog walking. I also loop it across my body / shoulder like a crossbody handbag when the dog is off lead.

[koshkat]

Don't use one. I used a long line when training my wayward pup his recall. They are brilliant and you can teach him using it.
Lovely dog btw!

[homley]

If you want to stick with a retractable lead I would definitely consider switching to a tape retractable rather than a cord line.
We have the flexi tape and would recommend it.

[Wolfiefan]

Please never use a retractable lead on a collar. Dreadfully dangerous.
Much better to use a longline.

[treeplop]

Use a lunge line for a horse and use with a harness, the only use I've found for a flexi lead was when we lived in a flat and we would put it on the dog for safety when he went out the front door for a pee in the rain!

[missbattenburg]

flexi giant 8m retractable lead

I use this one also. For me it's great because it is a thick bright yellow tape so easy to see and easy to hold in your hand like a fixed lead.

I find it very useful for some walks, such as across common ground where we might come across grazing animals.

However, if I were using it near a road (very rare) then I would extend enough to hold it in my hand rather than trust the locking mechanism. It's rated for twice Battendog's weight and is only ever clipped to a harness. He's also not the type of dog that runs right to the end of the lead at full pelt.

[PuppyMonkey]

Thanks everyone - take on board the concerns about retractable leads and going to have a look at other options.

The one we’ve got at the moment is like a tape thing, not one of the ones you see on YouTube that take your fingers off! I do hate it though, so happy to have a go with other ideas like the Halti.

Who’d have thought a dog lead could be such a minefield?