Extendable Leads: A Danger To Dogs And Handlers

Dogs on extendable leads are almost as frustrating, if not equally dangerous, to dogs off lead.  Would you agree?

The  subject of extendable leads is always divisive as, if used responsibly,  they can be a great tool for allowing your dog a bit more freedom while  still being under control…the only problem is it is incredibly rare to  ever see anyone using them responsibly.

We’ve  all seen it, someone’s grumpy shih tzu freely running around at the end  of an unlocked extendable while the owner is scrolling on their phone,  totally oblivious to the fact their dog is walking directly into the  path of other walkers, cyclists, approaching unknown dogs or even  stepping out into roads.  It just causes havoc.

While  extendables are a popular alternative for those people who don’t want  to have their dogs off lead, if your dog is 10 meters away from you,  even if on lead, they are as out of your control as if they were off  lead.  You’ve just added the danger of having other people or their dogs  tangled in your very long lead.

The  sole purpose of a lead is to ensure that dogs are kept under control in  public, in line with the law and ensuring their safety.   Extendables…well, we aren’t a fan!  A standard static lead is more than  adequate if you actually take the time to engage with your dog on the  walk.  Allow them to stop, sniff, look, think and interact with their  environment.  It is for their enjoyment after all!

We  have heard or, and seen even more, countless horrors as a result of  extendable leads.   From dogs darting into traffic after a cat, to  hounds having their legs wrapped and constricted by them.  Many serious  injuries, and even deaths, have been caused of extendable leads, many of  which were entirely preventable.

Just  last year, a sighthound lost their life because of an extendable lead.   The lead was pulled from the owners hand, and the hound spooked…it was  then ‘chased’ by the big clunky reel-box handle banging along behind it  until it was hit by a car.  A truly tragic and devastating accident, but  one that isn’t entirely uncommon…it seems to be happening more and  more.

Are we being dramatic?  Quite possibly, but extendable leads are dangerous for many reasons such as:

- They often malfunction or stop working overtime, AKA a total waste of money!

-  The sudden stop of the lead when it reaches the end of its extension  can cause injuries to the dog, especially if the dog is running.  Given  the speeds that a greyhound, or any sighthound, can achieve in just a  handful of strides, they have run to the end of the lead before you even  know what’s happened.  Whether it reaches the end of the reel, or you  hit the lock button, the sudden jerk backward can be very damaging to  the hound…and your own arm and shoulder if you manage to keep a hold of  it!

- The cords snap easily.  The  thin straps or too small clips aren’t suitable for many dogs and any  amount of strength can lead them to break.

-  The length itself is dangerous.  As we’ve mentioned, whether it is  running out into traffic, going around street corners long before the  owner, or running up to another dog that may not want to be approached,  you have no control and are going to be too late to act or intervene.

-  They cause dog fights.  Just like being off lead, extendables give dogs  more freedom to explore away from their humans and freely approach  other dogs.  Besides the fact that not every dog wants to be approached,  the dogs can get tangled in the lead injury and, ultimately, a fight!

-  The cord can cut, rope burn, or amputate the walker, the dog, or  bystanders.  It may sound dramatic, but it happens all the time!

-  It's a trip hazard. It’s not just dog walkers that have their heads in  their phones while walking, it isn’t uncommon for people to trip over  extendables.

- They teach dogs to  pull on the lead.  If you use an extendable lead without putting in any  of the groundwork first, and always allowing your dog that freedom to  roam, they will rebel and pull when put on a static lead or have the  extendable locked.

This is just  the tip of the iceberg and at the end of the day, you cannot beat the  safety and security of a standard static lead with some basic training  in to ensure your dog walks comfortably within their limits.  You aren’t  denying them anything by choosing this option, you just need to pay  attention and enjoy the walk with them!

While  it would be lovely to hope that extendables will one day be removed  from market, they are too popular and too widely used.  The best we can  hope for is people finally start using them responsibly!