Do people judge owners with their dogs on a long line?

[Blubell281]

Our dog is 19 months old, despite our best efforts his recall isn't as good as it should be. He has a very high prey drive. I can recall him from people and other dogs but when he gets a scent he's so focused and he sometimes bolts. I don't think he'll ever be off his long line as we live in a very rural area with sheep everywhere and he can squeeze himself under stock fencing.

I have literally never once seen anyone with a dog on a long line, not even a puppy. All I see is dogs off lead trotting alongside their owners. I feel like such a failure, I feel like people must see me and think I dont know what I'm doing, that I haven't put any effort into training. I'm just embarrassed using it. I'm sure I wouldn't be if they were a tool that lots of people used but as I said, I've never even seen 1 person with one, in 18 months!

I think “there’s a really responsible dog owner, up to date on the dangers of retractable leads, training her dog”. Honestly, I couldn’t think more positively of you. And there are always lots of people with young dogs on long lines round me.

I use one regularly and it lets me give my dog more freedom in areas where I just don’t trust her off lead. Definitely no judgment from me.

I think people will judge whatever you do

I use a long line with my puppy as recommended by our breeder and trainer. We live rurally and the distraction of sheep and cows is too much for him at times. His recall is variable but we are actively working on it with the trainer (via zoom) and most walks he'll walk at heel.

I do use an actual long line rather than retractable, I assume you are using similar. It's the sensible thing to do if you can't guarantee a recall.

I don’t judge and had one for my dog when she was younger, sensible thing to do in my opinion.

And what I meant to say is well done for keeping your dog safe, you know him best and people will judge whatever we do. You are doing the right thing.

Oh dog is the same. So much work on his recall but he’s hugely scent driven. He’s on a lead or long line as it only takes once for something to happen. I’d love to let him off lead but unfortunately don’t trust him to come back.

They certainly judge owners shouting in vain at dogs worrying animals.

I love my long line but it's too busy around us to use it safely. I'm hoping when lockdown ends the woods will empty! They're great and much Better than retractable.

I don't judge a dog or it's owner on a long line, normal lead, with a muzzle etc.
I do however judge the hell out of people with dogs on retractable leads!! Those things are so dangerous and have no place on a large breed dog, unretracted around other people and dogs and the worst some small dog trotting along with scope to leap into a road.
Long leads are so sensible if your pup doesn't have 100% recall. To me it's safer for the pup and owner.

As long is it isn't the long, thin, almost invisible trip hazard leads and you are about half a mile away from your dog in the park.

I'm impressed when I see dogs on long lines. People clearly making an effort to look after / train their dog. I could never get too grips with it and think maybe that's why you don't see many people around.
The dog haters gonna hate no matter what you do though.

No - we always used one. As long as it's retracted on pavements and busy areas, it's fine.

As long as its not a retractable lead then no why would I judge? Those leads I do judge because they are so bloody dangerous.

Long, thin lines can be dangerous. A family member took their dog for a walk with the dog on the retractable lead and when they were crossing the road, the dog ran way ahead and a car drove between the walker and the dog. It was dark and the driver didn't notice. The lead got tangled in the wheels. Luckily the traffic ahead of the car was slow, and the dog was able to run along side the car, until luckily it detangled. The driver had no idea. The walker had another dog in a pushchair because she can't walk. Horrific to think about what could have happened.

So yes I suppose I do judge people who are not using long leads in a safe environment.

Thanks for all the replies, they've made me feel much better.

I do see lots of people using retractable leads. We tried one but our dog is strong (he's a small spaniel but very determined) and I felt like the handle wasn't giving me good control.

Why are they considered so dangerous?

I’d judge you. I’d think ‘that’s a good idea’.

I would see you as a responsible owner.

As long as you aren’t on a busy pavement and don’t let it bounce on people, that is!

Misaki I don't use it near traffic, even in the car park before the walk he's on his short lead. At weekends and school holidays I walk early in the morning as its not practical with lots of people and kids running about.

Sittinbythetree no he's got no interest in people just small furry creatures!

I think it's really responsible. I put two of my dogs back on long lines when they were 5 and 6, and went back to basics with training as they were both being pesky.

What's the alternative, you have to dig your dog out of a fox earth or worse?!

Keep it up, you're doing great.

Depends on the size / strength of the dog.

As a PP says, the handles don’t give you much control. You’re holding it in your fingers. Normal leads can go round your wrist for extra safety.

I realise small dogs, if they suddenly out a sprint on, can still pull the handles out of your hands, but when I see a Neighbour of mine with a staffie on a retractable lead, yes I judge. My dogs have all been 25kg and up, and no way would I have them on a retractable lead.

I also judge people who just have them at full length, let the dog go around corners and have no control over it, like one girl near me. I have a reactive dog, and her golden retriever often wanders around the corner whilst mine is shitting, and she’s nowhere to be seen. But, it’s on a lead so it’s ok apparently.

Retractable leads are the devil, so hard to control the dog on them and the dog ends up getting tangled up round people and other dogs.

Long lines are fab and a saviour when I take mine to Dorney Lake. The sight of all the ducks blows his little mind and his recall goes out the window.

*disclamimer- he’s seen ducks multiple, multiple times but he still thinks they’re the best thing ever and they want to be his friends. They definitely don’t.

@Blubell281

Thanks for all the replies, they've made me feel much better.

I do see lots of people using retractable leads. We tried one but our dog is strong (he's a small spaniel but very determined) and I felt like the handle wasn't giving me good control.

Why are they considered so dangerous?

I tried a retractable for about a week until the first time I had to use it in earnest and realised that trying to reign in anything larger than a chihuahua with thin nylon is an exercise in futility. If you have a dog that for whatever reason may occasionally need physical recall/control then, as responsible owners, we have an obligation to use something that is fit for purpose and a retractable simply isn't. It gives the illusion of control and nothing more.