Owners want to give their dogs more freedom and space to move around. A flexi dog leash is offered as a simple solution. It is right that we want to give our pet more freedom, but it is important that we do it in a responsible and safe way. Find out below how to give your dog greater freedom of movement, ensure greater control while walking and at the same time be sure that you will not put yourself, your dog or others in danger.
The adjustable Flexi guide is popularized as a status symbol and a trendy accessory! You will never get a recommendation from a vet or trainer for a flexi leash.
Retractable Lead / Newspaper ad for a retractable lead, 1941 / Photo by Shelly
Danger to dogs
The most common injuries are tracheal and spinal injuries. Leg and tail amputations are possible in severe injuries. Potentially dangerous situations are roads, bicycle paths, elevators and encounters with other dogs. The results are serious injuries and death of dogs.
The most common situations in which injuries occur
When the drawbar is longer than 1.5-2 meters. The further away the dog is, the less control you have over the dog and the situation. A dog may fall too far behind you when crossing the road and be hit by a car. He can run towards another dog without being able to quickly bring him back. In such a situation, you cannot quickly "draw" the tape because that system does not exist, nor do you manage to run to the dog because it is already too far for your quick reaction. It can become entangled with another dog and they can injure each other with pulling straps and bites in their attempts to defend themselves from an impossible situation. As a result of the sudden jerk that occurs when the dog suddenly stops in the race, an injury to the trachea and spine can occur with serious consequences.
The part you hold in your hand is quite large and massive. In case it falls on your ground, the dog may become even more frightened and start running away from the "pursuer". This is how they usually end up under cars.
The elevator is one of the horror scenarios in which a dog is hanged or strangled without the possibility of doing anything.
Danger to owners and children
The most common injuries when using a flexi leash are burns and cuts on the legs and hands, as well as facial injuries. On the face, the eyes and teeth are most often affected. They can occur when the leash snaps, grabs the leash with the hand, or the leash gets tangled around the walker's legs and falls to the ground. The flexi leash gives a false sense of security and control.
These injuries occur when…
...the leash snaps and bounces off his head. You can lose an eye, you wouldn't be the first.
...you grab the drawbar with your hand. The most common injury and you can lose a finger.
...the tape gets tangled around you,
another person, dog or object
...you fall due to the strong pulling force that occurs after the increased acceleration of the dog in a few meters
Dog behavior and problems caused by a tense leash
The first thing we need to know is how a leash should (not) look when walking. This applies to all leashes, collars or harnesses! As you can see from the picture, the leash must always be relaxed when walking. This is important because this is how you teach the dog to walk with you, this practice ensures a safe and pleasant walk for the dog and for you, and encourages the dog to focus its attention on you instead of the stimuli from the environment.
The Flexi leash encourages unwanted behavior in dogs and teaches them to pull. Unless you are preparing for a dog drag race, this is by no means desirable behavior for the dog or pleasant for the owner.
The basics of behavior should be learned by every owner, and the basics of obedience should be learned by every dog.
The dog should be under the control of the owner in such a way that it obeys the commands, not being physically controlled. This will most often be skipped by the owners of smaller dogs, because they will intuitively control such a dog physically. Big or small dog, it doesn't matter, they should listen to you just the same. It doesn't matter if the dog weighs 3kg, 13kg or 30kg.
A dog that pulls or is pulled by you can often be interpreted as aggressive by other dogs. Pulling can also trigger aggression in your dog.
If the dog runs to the maximum distance allowed by the leash, you have no system how to "bring" it back. In such situations, he can eat something, tangle around someone, fight with another dog or run out into the road after a cat. In an attempt to "pull" it, you will most likely injure your hands in the form of burns due to the friction of the tape through your hands and cuts on your palms and fingers. You can also remain without a finger.
Flexi leashes are prohibited by law in many US states. Among others, they are banned in New York and San Francisco.
You can ensure greater freedom and more space for the dog by having the dog under control and responding to your call, standing on command, reacting to the commands "yuck" and "no". Choose places that are safe and designated for walking and running dogs. Nature, forests, riverbeds or dog parks. For shorter walks, use 1m to 2m leashes.
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Author: Morana Barbara Lučić
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