Retractable leads for strong dogs!?

picklepick

I've always prefered a tape style retractable lead when in an open place. And they're much easier to use if you can teach the dog direction commands. I use 'this side' if it looks like the dog is going to go on the wrong side of a tree, fence etc. I also tie a few knots in the tape towards the end. One low down near the clip and another a little higher up. It helps you to grip it if you need to when it's wound in.

I've tried long lines, but I can't really get the knack without the need for two free hands. They're very good for teaching recall though.

Person_one

pawsies wrote: »

Sorry not a fan of flexi leads at all!!!

It's so irritating when you can't tell if the leashed dog is leashed or not? Try seeing string from a distance!

I usually leash my dog if the other dog is leashed, those occasions when she's met an aggressive dog on a flexi lead are not my fault I'm afraid. If I can't see the leash, I can't put my dog on leash.

I usually do err on the side of caution and put her on though.

Plus as mentioned tangling is a big issue.

The first few feet of the lead (closest to the dog) are usually just like a normal lead, if you keep an eye out for that it should help.

I love my flexi leads and I am not ashamed to admit it. After a bit of initial training my dogs know how far they can go on them and never go right to the end, we've also got really good between the three of us at weaving in and out and around and over and under without getting tangled! As ali-t says, longlines with more than one dog are a nightmare!

ali-t

Person_one wrote: »

we've also got really good between the three of us at weaving in and out and around and over and under without getting tangled!

It's a skill isn't it? I used to use them more than I do now and it was a bit like double dutch skipping initially but the dogs are good at working it out about who needs to go where in order to stay untangled.