Fixed or flexi

sevenhills

I have very rarely used a fixed length lead, I always use a flexi.
I cannot think why anyone would not use a flexi, I prefer the larger flexi, as it's spring recoil is better.
Then you have that some people use dog collars and some a harness. I prefer a collar.
But I am looking into using a harness, but not good for long hair/fur

Katiehound

Using a flexi is teaching your dog to pull plus some folk don't see the danger that dog can walk into road when they are at the end of a flimsy cord( yes, I've seen it happen on narrow pavements)
 I have even seen haltis used with a flexi! So trying to control the pulling and allowing the pulling all at the same time- no wonder the dogs are so confused with the mixed messages.

I have used them in the past but reckon a police style lead is a better choice as you can have longer or shorter lead and it's soft on the hands. My dogs have always been well trained and in open spaces are off the lead with good recall. Flexi cases are hard and don't go well with arthritic fingers.

You either love them or hate them!!

elsien

I use a 20 foot long lunge line type lead. 

Flexi leads don’t give you the control and they burn your hands if you’re trying to reel your dog in. I prefer to call him and (mostly!) have him come back of his own accord. 

I don’t attach the lead to the collar for several reasons. First, he’s a bull terrier with a neck wider than his head so it just slips off. Secondly, I think it’s bad for their necks if they’re pulling. And finally if you use a harness with a chest and back ring that also gives more control while you are training a dog that pulls. 

sevenhills

Katiehound said:

 I have even seen haltis used with a flexi! So trying to control the pulling and allowing the pulling all at the same time- no wonder the dogs are so confused with the mixed messages.

You either love them or hate them!!

I don't have a problem with pulling, when I am walking my dog, it's just me and her, so she has my attention and she knows where to walk.

SensibleSarah

Flexi leads can be very dangerous when used with some dogs and circumstances - there are lots of accidents and injuries caused by them (to dogs and people) but it's all about context. Using a flexi while walking on roads/pavements around housing estates etc is asking for trouble, but may be perfectly fine in the countryside, park, beach or woodland etc, depending on the individual dog. 

I use a flexi sometimes attached to her harness (NEVER attached to a collar, serious risk of neck injury if they come to a sudden stop when reaching the end of the lead) with one of my dogs in open spaces where we aren't near other dogs as she doesn't pull, is very unlikely to break into a run at any stage (she's a ploddy sniffer type) and is very engaged with me on walks. She's sociable with other dogs but it takes seconds for a flexi to get tangled if she meets another on-lead dog and they do the whole sniffing/circling thing, so it's not something I use if I expect to be in that situation. 

However, I would never use a flexi lead with my other dog, who is highly likely to get excited by something on a walk and forget himself. If he threw himself full speed at the end of a flexi, I have no doubts he'd break the lead or chew through the tape in seconds. For him, a long line attached to his harness is an essential piece of equipment that makes his life much more enriching, being as he can't be off the lead in public currently. With a 10 or 20 metre line, he has way more freedom than on a flexi (longest flexis are 8m) and there isn't a constant tension on the line like flexi leads have. I attach the end of the long line to my walking belt, so there's no chance of it being dropped accidently if he does something unexpected - it's just much safer than a flexi in this kind of situation. 

In terms of harnesses, they can be tricker with hairier dogs, but getting one with a Y-shaped design that has fairly thick straps, fleece or similar padding etc seems to work pretty well with my long-haired dog. He only wears it when on walks, so it's not like it's on him for 8 hours a day, and his fur doesn't get matted undeneath it or get caught up in it. 

sheramber

Having seen a spaniel run out into the road when the brke on the flexi failed I would not use them for lead walking.

I  use a  police style training lead for on lead walking and a long line  to allow more freedom at the park etc until I can rely on having off lead control.

ChocolateBunny

Have recently started volunteering for a dog charity who only use fixed leads and when rehoming ask that flexi leads are not used.  
Their reasons being that if a dog on a flexi lead is nervous and the lead is dropped, the noise of the case hitting the ground and then following them, bouncing on the ground, can cause them to bolt.  

sevenhills

ChocolateBunny said:

Have recently started volunteering for a dog charity who only use fixed leads and when rehoming ask that flexi leads are not used.  
Their reasons being that if a dog on a flexi lead is nervous and the lead is dropped, the noise of the case hitting the ground and then following them, bouncing on the ground, can cause them to bolt.  

When I drop my Flexi lead, she stops, rather than running away. I do drop it, if I get my phone out to take a photo.

sheramber

The charity I support had a nerve wracking episode of a new owner dropping the flexi and the 10 month old  dog bolted into the distance, with the flexi still clattering behind her.

As the dog had only been with new owner for an hour she had no knowledge of the area or the new family. They spotted her but when they called her she ran away.  They contacted the rescue.

The next morning  the original fosterer travelled over 300 miles ,with one of her dogs, who the dog knew well, to help search for her.

A drone was used and Doglost volunteers, another volunteer agency and locals spent 5 days searching the fields and hills for her.

The fosterer dog left scent all over the area in the hope she would pick up his scent. They lit a BBQ and cooked sausages hoping that would lure her.

On the morning of the 6 th day she appeared back at the new owners house , a very tired and frightened dog. She ran to the fosterers dog. Fosterer quietly opened the boot of her car and a very tired  dog jumped in and lay down , to  everybody's great relief. .

At some point she had lost her collar , harness and the flexi.
 

sevenhills

sheramber said:

The charity I support had a nerve wracking episode of a new owner dropping the flexi and the 10 month old  dog bolted into the distance, with the flexi still clattering behind her.

As the dog had only been with new owner for an hour she had no knowledge of the area or the new family. They spotted her but when they called her she ran away. 

Are you drawing from that, that the outcome would have been better with a fixed lead?

Katiehound

sevenhills said:

sheramber said:

The charity I support had a nerve wracking episode of a new owner dropping the flexi and the 10 month old  dog bolted into the distance, with the flexi still clattering behind her.

As the dog had only been with new owner for an hour she had no knowledge of the area or the new family. They spotted her but when they called her she ran away. 

Are you drawing from that, that the outcome would have been better with a fixed lead?

I would assume the answer is yes simply because the noise of the flexi handle hitting the ground could easily spook a nervous dog- and then the clattering was following the dog too- even worse.

So, actually just dropping an ordinary lead might not have resulted in the same scenario.