are retractable leads ever ok?

[mckenzie]

Potential dog walker was using one on a small dog who apparently barks continuously when off the lead.
He said that it was the owner’s lead and the owner’s wishes.
I liked him and his way with ddog but.....
Sadly, although I’m only looking for a walker for one day a week, the walker has this other dog every day.
I need to keep looking huh?

Sorry I don’t understand what your issue is? Surely you would tell the dog walker what lead you wanted them to use with your dog?

Are extendable leads now frowned upon by people?

@StoorieHoose extendable leads can be dangerous- particularly the cord types. They can get wrapped round flesh (canine or human) and constrict or even cut.

Dogs using them know that sometimes if they pull they can go further, which can either cause them to pull when it's short, or run to the end and jerk (potentially damaging the neck).

Very few of them have the facility to reel a dog back in in an emergency.

I also see a lot of people using them because they won't train recall.

All round my preference is for a long line lead while training recall, short leads and recall for all other scenarios.

Thanks Fairfax. You learn something new every day! I use a short lead with a gentle leader for ddog

For me it's a no no. However is that dog walked off lead at all?

We give permission for our dog to be off lead, so she's just walked on a normal lead when she needs to be.

Perhaps that one is never off lead, so the extendable is intended to let it have more of a run? That said, I use 3 different walkers, and they all refuse to use extendables anyway.

Thanks for the replies
Stooriehoose, I’d be nervous about my dog being on a walk with another dog who was on an extendable lead in case they got intertwined while playing/running together.

I used to use one before I got PestDog's recall sorted (first 6-8 weeks, I didn't know about the issues at that point). He played chase and play fighting with other dogs and none ever got tangled.

Can't say it would worry me personally (unless, perhaps I had something very delicate like an Italian greyhound) but your DDog your rules

Nearly every dog I come across is in one or owner carrying one.

It wouldn't bother me if another dog was being walked on one as it's the owners choice and I prefer dog walkers to respect their wishes rather than mine given that it doesn't impact me.

I have walks where my dog is completely off lead and I use a short lead to get there and back or if we meet another dog onlead. I like using the flexi lead though for shorter off lead walks and then meandering along some quiet lanes to finish off, she potters and sniffs along the verges and has good recall if I see or hear a car. Was also valuable on holiday to keep her away from cliff edges but still have a decent walk and freedom. I would never use it to walk along with another dog though, it would cause chaos.