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Have you ever used a retractable dog leash and couldn’t get it to lock in place when you needed to? If so, you’re not alone.
Retractable dog leashes have a tendency to not stay locked in place. Sometimes, they may unwind at exactly the wrong time!
If your retractable leash does not lock in place all the time, then you could find yourself (and your dog) in a dangerous situation. Chances are your dog could dart out in front of oncoming traffic.
I started to use a retractable dog leash when we got our first min pin. Sometimes, I had a hard time getting it to stay locked in place. Other times, if it was locked I could not get it unlocked quick enough when I needed to.
I started to do obedience training with a retractable leash, but I quickly found it was a lot easier to use a regular leash. Plus, it seemed like every time I would check the wear and tear of the leash, the knot that held the clip to the leash was coming undone. A close friend of mine (who also has a min pin) had her retractable leash unwind and break after her dog gave a good tug on it. She had to chase her dog around the neighborhood because her retractable leash broke while in use.
Retractable Dog Leash Safety Tips
I think retractable leashes should come with safety training.
They can be dangerous to your dog and they can also be dangerous to people.
I read a consumer report about a lady who borrowed a retractable leash to keep her dog in check. When her dog took off after something, the lady was holding the leash by the nylon line and her finger got cut off by the line!
There are some things you can do to keep you and your dog safe while using a retractable leash:
- Never allow your dog to wrap the line around your legs, and never hold the nylon line when your dog is on the other end.
- Keep a firm grip on the handle. The handle on a retractable leash can slip out of your hand easier than a regular leash.
- Do not use a head holder, prong collar, or choke chain with a retractable leash. You should only use a flat buckle or harness while using a retractable leash.
If you do use a retractable leash, always keep a close eye on your dog and have your finger on the stop button at all times.
I have 2 Miniature Pinschers. My husband and I consider them our 4-legged kids.
