Consumer Reports first sounded the alarm, \u201cRetractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets,\u201d and it\u2019s no exaggeration. Retractable leashes are wildly popular and are sold at every pet store or available online. People often choose them thinking it will give their dog a little extra freedom to sniff and poke around on walks. Unfortunately, the upside to this type of leash is far outweighed by the risks they pose.<\/p>\n
A retractable leash is a length of thin cord wrapped around a spring-loaded device housed inside a plastic handle that fits comfortably in a human hand. A button on the handle controls the amount of cord that\u2019s extended. As that cord plays out, the dog is less confined to walking beside you. Some cords extend up to 26 feet.<\/p>\n
A dog at the end of a retractable leash can get far enough away from their human to get into trouble\u2013able to run into the street or to make uninvited contact with other dogs and people. If your dog is on a retractable leash and approached by an aggressive dog, it\u2019s hard to get control of the situation. It\u2019s easier to protect an animal on a standard leash than one 20 feet away at the end of a thin cord. Too often, that cord can snap from the pull of a powerful dog.<\/p>\n
When a retractable leash cord breaks, it can cause injury \u2013 often to the human at the other end. If the human grabs the cord in an attempt to reel in their dog, serious injuries can follow. People who have instinctively grabbed the cord have suffered burns, cuts, and even immediate amputation of a finger. Many people have been pulled off of their feet by a dog that reaches the end of the cord and keeps going. When this happens, or if you get tangled up in the leash, it frequently means a fall and \u201croad rash\u201d scrapes, bumps, bruises, broken bones, or worse.<\/p>\n\n\t\t