Why do vets not recommend retractable leashes?
Moses Ankunding
2025-07-03 00:28:28
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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. The thin cord of a retractable leash can break – especially when a powerful dog is on the other end of it. If a strong, good-sized dog takes off at full speed, the cord can snap. 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." The handles of retractable leashes are bulky and can be easily pulled out of human hands, resulting in a runaway dog. Retractable leashes are an especially bad idea for dogs that haven't been trained to walk politely on a regular leash.
Hassie Ryan
2025-06-23 22:11:58
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The mechanics of retractable leashes can lead to dangerous situations for the dog and the owner. If a dog suddenly runs, the leash can extend quickly, potentially causing the owner to lose control. This scenario can be frightening not just for the pet, but for the owner and bystanders as well. Retractable leashes can cause various injuries to dogs. If a dog runs to the end of an extended leash, they can experience a sudden jolt, potentially leading to neck injuries or tracheal damage. The design of retractable leashes offers less control compared to traditional leashes. In situations where quick action is needed to move your pet to safety, such as avoiding a dangerous animal or a busy street, retracting the leash quickly can be difficult, increasing the risk of accidents. Using a retractable leash can also hinder a dog’s training and behavior. These leashes can encourage pulling, as dogs learn that pulling extends the leash, allowing them to explore further, against their owner’s wishes.
Meda Tillman
2025-06-19 22:35:30
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Some of us even believe there’s a special place in hell to redress the kind of wrongs wrought by retractable leashes everywhere. As a veterinarian, I’m on the front lines of retractable leash misadventures every single day. For my part, I’ve never found one that didn’t click off, stick on or unspool suddenly at the exact worst time. Owners with overstimulated and stressed-out dogs often lose control of their charges. No degree of thumb clicking and hand-over-hand reeling-in will suffice when the thin line is already wrapped around an elderly woman’s ankles thrice. They’re for walking your dog in unpopulated areas where people and traffic are never in the picture. Yet I only rarely see them properly employed. That’s why I often tell pet owners thinking about this kind of device as their go-to leash to consider my veterinary warning: These leashes are often a liability. And then there’s your thumb to consider.
Kade Bogan
2025-06-13 01:59:25
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A retractable leash gives your pet the opportunity to move dangerously far away from you making it challenging to regain control in a potentially harmful situation. This can lead to dangerous scenarios, especially if your pet darts into the street or comes into unwanted conflict with other animals. The thin cord of a retractable leash is no match for a moving pet. The constant wear and tear of the leash can eventually lead to it snapping under force. Retractable leashes, often extending 20 to 30 feet, offer too much leeway. This length makes it far more difficult to control your pet in sudden situations. Having a fixed leash means less guesswork and immediate response when it counts. Again, even the tiniest, slowest moving pet cannot be 100% controlled on a retractable leash. The retraction mechanism can fail, locks may stop working, and with each malfunction, your pet's safety is compromised.
Mariano Casper
2025-06-01 11:14:33
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Retractable leashes can damage your pet’s neck and throat. When your pet gets to the end of the leash, it can snap your pet’s neck back causing damage to their trachea and neck vertebrae. We treat many animals for neck and back injuries which can be very painful and have long-lasting effects. An injured trachea can cause a cough that can also affect breathing if severe enough. Even when keeping the length short on a retractable leash, injury can still occur. Retractable leashes cause dog fights. Retractable leashes allow your pet to travel a great distance away from you, and dangerous situations can occur in the blink of an eye. Retractable leashes are dangerous to you and to others. The cord on a retractable leash is very narrow and can easily get wrapped around fingers or legs causing minor issues such as rope burn and skin lacerations. Major injuries such as amputation of a digit can also occur.
Nils Ferry
2025-06-01 10:39:36
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They Can Lead To Injuries The line cannot be retracted when there’s tension. If something happens, like if your dog lunges into the street, and you must pull your dog back, you may have no choice but to grab the leash with your bare hands. But, because it’s so thin, the line is difficult to secure, and it can slide through your hands and easily cause a burn or cut on your hand. If you lock the leash as the dog is running, it can cause an abrupt stop. They Can Malfunction or Break A button, a torsion spring, and a plastic spool are the only things between your dog and dangerous situations. With a retractable leash, there’s a risk that the internal mechanism could jam or break, allowing the leash to become detached. They Can Get Tangled Slack and tension must be actively managed when using a retractable leash, and the line can easily become tangled. They’re Hard To See These lines are difficult to see because they are thin and dark. They Are Easily Dropped The design of the retractable leash’s handle can also be problematic. They’re Not a Good Fit for Frightened Dogs Fearful dogs are especially at risk. They Can Reinforce Pulling When dogs are walked on retractable leashes, the tendency is to release more of the line when the dog starts to pull forward.
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