Flexi leashes are those flimsy, retractable leashes (like a tape measure) that allow a dog to pull ahead 20 feet or so. I don’t know who is encouraging people to buy Flexi leashes, but they are a big problem. If you are considering buying a Flexi leash, it is a bad idea. Here’s why:
1. Flexi leashes are not for big dogs.
I would never buy a Flexi for any dog, especially a dog over 20 pounds. Every day I see people in my neighborhood walking german shepherds, labs and even huskies on Flexis.
2. You can’t control your dog on a Flexi leash.
You just can’t. I had a situation about 15 years ago with my well behaved lab mix, Jack. We were walking on a quiet country road and he was out about 10 feet from me. A car came speeding by and I barely had enough time to reel him into safety. They are a nightmare on narrow pathways as the owner has so little control while bikers and other walkers are passing.
3. Flexi leashes teach your dog to pull.
The more the dog pulls, the more leash it is given. This is not a great training situation.
4. Flexi leashes cause accidents.
We were out yesterday at the Clear Lake Farmer’s Market and I witnessed three dogs become so entangled on meeting nose-to-nose that the owners had to remove leashes to release dogs. The owners were quite lucky that the dogs were friendly because entangled dogs can sometimes become aggressive and dog fights are common given the situation. What about the biker passing a dog on a Flexi? It is an accident waiting to happen.
5. Flexi leashes put the dog in control.
When the leash is tight, the only way to shorten it is to walk toward the dog. This teaches the dog she doesn’t have to come to you. You will instead come to her.
6. Flexi leashes are unsafe for outside tethering to you or a post.
These “leashes” allow you to stand there while your dog runs around you. If you need to exercise your dog, please find a fenced area where your dog can run and play.
7. Flexi leashes are awkward to hold.
I’d rather walk, run or bike with my dog without holding onto a big hunk of plastic (that’s what the leash retracts into). The handle part offers little control when your dog is pulling.
8. The dog can easily get away on a Flexi leash.
It doesn’t take much for a dog to pull the leash out of her owner’s hands when she has a 20-foot head start.
9. Flexi leashes are the worst tool to walk your dog with.
In a proper heeling position, a dog should be at her owner’s side on a loose lead. Flexis are always tight and the dog is almost always several feet in front of the owner.
10. Dogs aren’t safe on a Flexi leash.
With that much slack in the leash, they can get hit by a car or bike, bit by another dog or just plain get away. They are a danger to themselves, their owners and others. A safe way to use a Flexi is to exercise their dogs in an area where the dogs will be safe and under control, like out in a quiet field in the country. The safer alternative to a Flexi is to teach your dog to walk on a 4 or 6 ft. leash with a no-pull harness or gentle leader. We have classes at Bayside that deal specifically on walking/heeling, so take some time and have some fun learning some new skills.
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