Retractable dog leads yay or nay?

[Marthar31d]

Not had one before, are they safe?

I use one everyday. They are dangerous on an untrained dog or in the hands of an untrained person.

Nay from me for the reasons many have already given.

If you do get one, please don’t do what I saw people do daily on the pedestrian and cycling promenade near where I last lived: walk on one side of a nice wide walkway engrossed in:- chatting to your friend/ your phone/ your headphones, with your dog on a retractable lead on the other side of the walkway because there’s more to sniff there, effectively maintaining a tripwire or barrier for everyone else using the promenade. Also fun as a runner when you have to pass a dog walker from behind who has headphones on and one of these bloody leads and their dog bolts after you.