Question:
Do you use the flexi-leashes at all for your dogs?

I have a number of leashes of varying lengths..but use the flexi-leash to give my small dog more freedom of movement on park trails, etc. On city streets or when another dog is around, I keep it short of course.
But - I've had a couple of incidents where the "lock" wasnt on as I thought.
This can be dangerous, depending on where and when this happens.
The other night I was knelt down picking up the poop when Percy took off on me.. just as a car was coming. Scared me.

I was just curious as to the popularity of these leashes, and whether you use them. Though I've liked the freedom they offer, the margin for error is a cause for concern. I'm thinking now of going back to the regular leash, with the complete control if offers.

Answer:
I hate them, most people who use them show no control of their dogs whats so ever.
But when we are practicing our recall then it is handy.( only at home)
I find that they ruin any training the dog has.

Answer:
we tried a flexi when tucker was a baby - but one day, he chewed through it in seconds.

he also chewed through 3 nylon leashes too.

Currently, we're on our 4th nylon leash. I found they were they most economical for us (since we kept replacing them!). But also, the obedience classes & doggy daycare we use do not allow flexi leashes. Dogs MUST be on a nylon leash and flat nylon collar (or halter).

We have a flexi at home, with a built in flashlight and radio that I would like to use for nightly walks, BUT I have a major fear Tucker will see something and take off - and SNAP - he's gone. (he's managed to break a cable run 3x now)

Also, I worry that the flexi teaches bad leash manners... Tucker still pulls a bit, and if he pulled on the flexi - he'd get more lead... therefore being rewarded for pulling.

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I only use nylon leashes. In an emergency situation, they don't burn your fingers as much (try pulling that little thin rope in in a hurry! )

We had a retractable one, but Boo snapped it the first time we used it... It was made for 120lbs (Boo is 87) and my dad rebuilt it and now uses it for his Jack Russell...

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Can't stand those retractable leashes. I agree with Prin - in an emergency, I'd probably slice my fingers off. Nothing beats proper training and a 6ft lead (leather or sturdy nylon).

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I used to use one. Misty broke it! She bolted and broke the spring mechanism, it no longer retracts! Like Boo's, Misty's was also for a large dog weighing about 100lb and Misty weighs 32lb. That was enough to scare me from trying another one! I'm always afraid that she will go after a squirrel and actually pull the cord right off the reel!

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I don't recommend them I also suggest to my students that they don't use them. I know people who have lost their dog to a car while wearing one. I also know people who have burn marks from them.

Read the warning on the package, it is quite interesting.

If you still want to use them I would only use them in areas where there is a safe amount of space and use the tape vs the cord. For street walking use your 6 ft leash. I recommend the training leads instead of the flexi. You can buy them in the same lengths but they are safer for you and the dog.

Flexi leashes also promote pulling.

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Personally, I love them! But I do have a nasty scar on my leg from this summer! I was bent over picking up a dog mess and a kid ran straight over to my dogs who got excited to say hello! That was my fault (or the mom who let her kid run straight up to strange dogs ) but now I lock them when I need to do something!

I had a hard time finding good ones but I have found that Flexi brand ones (I think a German company) are great! And they also have the ones that are a ribbon rather then the cord which are better for your skin! However, I found with the ribbon ones they don't work properly in the rain or snow - I guess it messes up the device inside and they don't go back in smoothly. I tried cheap ones and they were no good!

My dogs are very well behaved on them. I know trainers generally don't like them - I know my trainers didn't! My guys learnt in school on a regular leash.

I live in an old neighbourhood and we don't have sidewalks so it's tough on a 6 foot leash for them to get to the grass to go to the bathroom and I find these ones (I use 14 or 16 feet) work great!

It was a little crazy in the beginning with two dogs on flexi leashes but I've taught them they can't chase squirrels or cats or anything while on the leash - They just stop and stare at them! And when a car is coming they know "close" means come back in or "wait" and I lock them to me.

In my old neighbourhoods with sidewalks I never used them - - too many obstacles and people! We must look pretty funny sometimes, when they go around a tree on different sides! They know "this side" pretty well but I usually allow them one freebie a walk!

I can understand how they do promote pulling and maybe I just got lucky with my dogs that they get it when they're on those. Of course, sometimes they forget and need a little re-training but that's fun too

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I've only ever used Nylon or leather leashes for my dogs, when I brought Simon home, I was told that especially with hunting breeds, if it and they get away from you, the sound only makes the dog freak and run further. Can't afford to take the chance :/

Answer:
When I first brought Charley home I was given one by a friend. He wasn't really heavy enough to pull the lead out so I used it as a long training lead instead by pulling it all the way out and locking it that way.

At the time the yard wasn't fenced so this 16 ft lead attached to his regular leash gave him plenty of room to run given his legs were less than 2 inches long!

Now I use two 20 training leads if we go walking to one of the open spaces around here and I want to let him run. For going places and regular walks I use a 6 ft or 5ft lead depending on how attentive I'm feeling (the 6ft lead is too long really and he gets all tangled up in it if I don't pick up the slack.

Answer:
Originally Posted by jessi76
we tried a flexi when tucker was a baby - but one day, he chewed through it in seconds.

Kayla went through 3 nylon tape ones before I figured out they weren't for her. I also used them when she was a pup and ended up having a VERY difficult time getting her to walk properly on a leash as she grew up and I realized I had been training her to walk wherever she wanted when on a leash- my bad I would never use one again unless the dog was already completely trained to walk nice on a regular leash, and then would continue to train her with the flexi leash. I have to admit they are useful in situations like on-leash nature walks etc.

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they're great for taking puppies out in the park so they can run around & stretch their legs & not get tangled up in leashes. specially in wet slushy winter, long dragging leashes are a nightmare! our newly-acquired 4-mth old girl has ZERO recall at the moment, so when the fenced-in dogpark enclosure is not an option, the flexi is all we have. our other adult dog is good on recall so he gets some freedom. however the flexi does require some skill to use properly, finger on the lock button and never ever drop the handle!

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We had one for our last dog, but I dropped it and it broke. We just use a regular nylon leash for Precious and I think we'll stick with it.

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I hate them. Plus I really can't believe that the thin line is going to hold back a 165 pound dog. Luckily Buddy is great on a leash but I ony use leather or nylon. I am in control with a regular leash. I find more people have no idea what they are doing and have no control over there dogs. I see dogs walk off the sidewalk on to the road and the owners are oblivious to them. Plus it allows there dogs to kunge while the owners are standing there staring and don't know what to do. Okay that is my rant and I could go on about these leashes. And prin is right you can slice your hand up trying to hold that thin rope

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I hate retractables, Jim loves it. I think they are too unpredictable and hard to control. I would much rather have my six foot Mickey Mouse leash over the retractable.

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We use one with Gomez and it suits him just fine, he weighs 6 kilos and we have total control over him at all times he is on the lead - when we walk on the street it is ALWAYS locked in a short length - he does not pull on the lead and walks to heel nicely.

We only open it up in the park - there is no such thing as a dog park in London, so in the areas he cannot be off the lead, the 8 meter flexi-lead lets him run around and play a bit...

The only complaint I have is that the mechanism inside tends to stick after about 4-5 months, so we have to get a new one, but that is not a big issue...

So, we're all for the Flexilead!

Answer:
Thanks for your thoughts on these leashes.. seems overall they are NOT popular.
I can see how with a large and heavier dog, there could be issues with that thin cord- both for the breaking and cutting the hands.
Mine is a six pound pipsqueak, so that doesnt pose a problem.

Because of his size, he never can really be off-leash when outdoors, He's too small for the dog parks, gets steamrolled by the exuberant larger dogs, and coyotes are everwhere. He's just the weight that could be targeted.

So, the Flexi-leash allows him at least a bit of exploring room on park trails, and I like to allow him this.

However,.. I have to admit I've had a couple of scares - the leash suddenly extending when I didnt expect it to, or a problem getting it in fast enough with an unexpected dog encounter or a cylist whizzing up unexpectedley.

I think I will bring two leashes from now on.. just tuck the flexi-leash into my pocket for when we get to a nature area.
No traffic,no dogs suddenly flying out of front yards to worry about. The riders.. well, its up to them to announce their approach from behind.

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I dislike them, and find most people that use them, have uncontrolled dogs. Often in places like petsmart there will be an owner with the flexi leash in one aisle.. and there's the dog.. wandering in another aisle.. Glad I don't have a dog that causes trouble..

One time that happened in Petcetera.. and when we got near the dog the pwner had a fit on me to keep my dog away from hers, it's a biter. Well.. then why is it on the end of a flexi leash?

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We use the flexi when we take our dog out to do her business but not for walks. It's great when there's 4 feet of snow on the front lawn, then we stand on the deck and she has 16 feet of line to do her thing. I work at a kennel and we use them for walking the dogs. I've had a few close calls with them, but you learn quickly how to manoeuvre them.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Shamrock
Mine is a six pound pipsqueak, so that doesnt pose a problem.

I hate flexi-leads too. My friend lost her 3 month old Beagle puppy when the flexi-lead snapped and he was it by a car. He was about 6 pounds.

Originally Posted by Shamrock
So, the Flexi-leash allows him at least a bit of exploring room on park trails, and I like to allow him this.

I don't really understand how having him on a flexi-leash protects him from larger dogs and coyotes?

I only use leather leashes.

For training recall, I use horse lunge lines - which is much safer, easier and gives the dog more freedom anyway.

Answer:
[quote=Lissa]I hate flexi-leads too. My friend lost her 3 month old Beagle puppy when the flexi-lead snapped and he was it by a car. He was about 6 pounds. [quote=Lissa]

Lissa, I was meaning that the danger of the cord snapping or cutting into the hands is less.
As for them snapping...I believe I woud not feel confident with one of these leashes for a larger dog, would question the strength of them.
I'm sorry your friend lost her puppy in such a tragic way. As a six pound dog does not have much "force", perhaps the leash was defective.

My understanding was that when used for smaller dogs, which seems to be the most common use, the biggest danger is the cord becoming unlocked, or the leash being dropped. Both can have tragic results.
This was my area of concern.
When I walk him on the street, I keep it very short, so he is right by my side.

[quote=Lissa] I don't really understand how having him on a flexi-leash protects him from larger dogs and coyotes?[quote=Lissa]

I was meaning that he is never off-leash, out of my grasp.

Most parks here - where we do most of our walking - have dogs that are loose, running and having fun in the off leash areas. We avoid these, due to his size.
I like to allow him a little freedom with the flexi-leash in open quiet areas where I can see all around me for approaching animals.

Wherever we are, I practice "defensive walking".. always on the lookout, and we have to be. Coyotes are always a worry here - never out of mind.

I am going to go back to a regular leash for street walking though. The accidental unravelling the other day gave me pause for thought on this safety issue.

Regardless of what leash is used, the only fail-safe way to avoid all dangers would be to keep him at home.
That would seem a shame.

Answer:
My understanding was that when used for smaller dogs, which seems to be the most common use, the biggest danger is the cord becoming unlocked, or the leash being dropped. Both can have tragic results.
This was my area of concern.
I guess the only different danger is the cord becoming unlocked because even nylon leashes can be dropped. Boo's leash got dropped once and that's how he got hit by a car...

I was thinking, if you don't trust the strength of the cord, all you have to do is open the sucker up and replace the cord with sturdy rock climbing rope. They make the rock climbing rope in 3mm and 5mm, so you just have to put whatever fits. You can pick the color and the weight capacity. It's pretty cheap to replace them. You could probably make them shorter too. Just a thought.

Answer:
Dangers of the Flexi or like leash.

You drop the leash and it retracts hitting the dog with the handle.
Your dog is left on a long line with no control because he/she doesn't know come, doesn't retract unless they know the come command.
Malfunctions and the lock doesn't work when you need it.
Touching the cord while it is moving can cause you to burn or cut your fingertips off due to friction burns. The same can happen to the dog.
There is a chance that the cord or ribbon snaps.
Not all but many people don't pay attention to where there dog is at all times. Your dog could have stopped 20' back at a tree and you don't notice until you hit the end of the line.
Encourages pulling. Because the dog can go out to a further distance with this leash, when you are wanting them to stay close they try to get to the further length and pull to do it.
The leash wears out and you don't notice until it is too late.

There are more but these are a few.

I use two leashes. A 6' for all road walking and a 20 or 30' training lead for areas that are not off leash but are safe enough to let them go to a distance. I just bring both with me and switch when needed.

Answer:
Well, you've convinced me.
After six years of using them.. I've decided to retire my flexi-leashes.
I have other leashes, shorter lengths, for street walking but I am going to buy a longer one at the pet store this week for off-road park use.

To my amazement, I had "another" incident yesterday of the leash not locking.
I've got two identical flexi-leashes, but have misplaced the one I generally use - its always worked like a charm.
This other one is new and the same brand - but I see now there is something wrong with it's mechanism. It doesnt always work.

To have this happen twice in one week really bothered me, and now I question the whole concept of these leashes.
After reading over all the negatives listed, I have to agree these are all valid concerns. I think a change is in order.

Funny,.. when I first brought Percy home, I was using a regular leash. I'd had him only about a week, when I bumped into a lady in the park,with three dogs in tow. She was very talkative and full of advice for a new dog owner She told me to use a flexi-leash - he was too "restricted"... not good for him, she said. That is how I came to get one in the first place, on the advice of this woman who claimed she was a dog trainer.
Since then, I have seen her on four or five other occassions.. and know now that she is a very friendly and nice lady, very well meaning.. but a bit nutty. She "fancies" herself a dog expert.. but that doesnt make her one..
Beware of advice from strangers..lol.

Anyway, you've all answered my question fully, and I thank you for your input.

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I use it to take Tucker to do his buisness in the back yard and when walking him in the park. Never for walking along the road.

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I just bought this: http://www.hagen.com/canada/english/...nfo/avenue.cfm

It seems sturdier than the regular flexi-leashes. They've replaced the rope with a regular leash. But after reading your reviews, I'm now skeptical about making the change.

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I've never had any use for them.

I stick to the leather ones..

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Catsnatcher-
in my experience, the flexis are much sturdier than the Avenue ones... I've had that kind refuse to retract Many Many times. I don't trust it at all.


I use the flexi for my dog when I know he has room to roam without being annoying to others (parks, etc). Sam is good about not pulling on it- he knows how long it is and at what point he has to stop and wait. If he did pull, I think it could easily snap, so if I see a temptation (another dog) I recall him and have him sit beside me. It is horrible for busy places. In my town, officially there are no dog parks and nowhere they are allowed off leash. So, it is a good way to let him run a bit. That said, all of his good training on the 6 ft leash has gone out the window. Every time I walk him on that leash, we have to go through about 30 minutes of 'retraining'. urg. So, not sure if I would start using one again on a new dog. Maybe not worth it, especially if you have an off leash park for them to run.

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