by Tina Valant

Created on: April 25, 2008   Last Updated: October 16, 2010

"WHAT? Is she nuts?", I thought. Our trainer had just given us a choice at the second class: donate our retractable leads or toss them in trash. Back when we had just Rudy and Mack, we attended basic obedience training. It enabled Rudy,(more active) to get a lot more exercise (so I thought). Rolling my eyes, I begrudgingly placed them into the donation bin. She gave us six foot leads. The boys now had to stay next to us, under control. No, it was not immediate. It required time, training and attention; the very basics of responsible dog ownership.

With the loop of the lead over my wrist, I felt safer. Now, even if I accidentally dropped the lead, we would still be attached. That "crazy" trainer's lesson has been reaffirmed for me, many times. During a K9 demonstration at a pet event, an air gun fired. Two retractable handles were ripped from the owners' hands. Like the bulls of Spain's San Fermin festival, two large dogs charged, through the crowd, toward traffic. The clanking of the plastic case on the pavement behind them scared them even more. They ran faster. My heart nearly stopped. Luckily, we stopped them before they met a terrible fate. Weeks later, at another event, a car backfired, BOOM. Terrified, a little dog (on a retractable), took off. She was stopped, just in time. No one needs this kind of adrenalin rush.

It is a continual argument with my own mother. When she walks her two yorkies, she has a hand for each leash case (no hands available). We now have five aussies. I can put them all on their leads and still have one free hand, for poo patrol, treats, etc. Most retractable leash packaging now includes a warning to not use this type of leash, especially around children or infants.

Did you ever notice that many people, especially at increasingly popular pet events, whose dogs are on retractables, are not paying close attention? As they chat or eat, their dog is ten plus feet away. Usually, my leg receives a nice cable burn. People can get tripped by other's unlocked retractables. They get tangled with other dogs, easily. "By using a retractable, the handler loses the opportunity to educate their dog on how to walk properly on lead. The dog loses the association with its handler because they can get (and stay) far away", states Madison Moore, a positive dog trainer. "Retractable leads foster the dog's disassociation with the handler, the exact opposite of what we strive for in our relationship with our dogs."

As an event coordinator/consultant, I want you (and your dog) to have a great and safe time; which is why, we ask:

1) No females in season-it may cause males to fight over her, needless to mention an "oops" litter.

2) No puppies under four months old-they haven't had all their shots or built up immunities. They can pick up some nasty things from other dogs. We know you want to socialize and show off your new baby, but it's NOT worth the risk.

3) If you do arrive at an event with your retractable, it will be replaced by a standard six foot lead, to enter. Swap back, when you leave.

PLEASE! For the safety of you, your dog and those around you (two and four legged), don't use retractable leads. No dog lover/responsible owner wants to see a dog get hurt or needs another scar on our legs!

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