Are retractable leashes bad for dogs that pull?
Antwan Parisian
2025-07-02 07:45:05
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Retractable leashes allow dogs more freedom to pull at the end of them, which can look like aggression to another dog who may decide to "fight back."
Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash.
By their very nature, retractable train dogs to pull while on leash, because they learn that pulling extends the lead.
The length of retractable leashes, some of which can extend up to 26 feet, allows dogs to get far enough away from their humans that a situation can quickly turn dangerous.
A dog on a retractable leash is often able to run into the middle of the street, for example, or make uninvited contact with other dogs or people.
In the above scenario, or one in which your pet is being approached by an aggressive dog, it is nearly impossible to get control of the situation if the need arises.
It's much easier to regain control of – or protect -- a dog at the end of a six-foot standard flat leash than it is if he's 20 or so feet away at the end of what amounts to a thin string.
Maye Gleichner
2025-06-23 09:14:09
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They Can Reinforce Pulling. There’s a misconception that retractable leashes prevent pulling by giving dogs more freedom. The opposite is true. When dogs are walked on retractable leashes, the tendency is to release more of the line when the dog starts to pull forward. When the line is released at the first sign of tension, pulling is reinforced and the dog learns that pulling works to get more freedom. Once the dog is at the end of the line, they will become frustrated and will pull harder. This is an impossible situation for pet parents because they are both out of line and have no way to retract the lead.
Roxane Heaney
2025-06-23 09:11:26
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If your dog is not used to being on a lead or continuously pulls on the lead, then this lack of training is amplified on a retractable lead. The sooner your dog learns good leash discipline the better. Injuries can occur if the dog sprints ahead and the owner presses the lock-break in a panic, causing the dog to quickly jerk back. This can choke the dog and damage to the wind pipe and spine. Retractable leads allow your dog to explore areas safely and under your control. Letting dog’s sprint away from you and extending the lead too much takes away this control. It also can be very dangerous to let a dog sprint while on a retractable lead, as if you need to hit the break this will cause them to jerk backwards which can cause harm to their throat or spine. It’s vital that a dog is leash trained and owners understand how much to extend the leash at any one time.