 Beware of the potential dangers of retractable leashes Dog guardians have to worry about so many things
related to keeping their pets safe: Keeping them away from raisins and
chocolate, making sure latches on doors and gates are effective, watching out
for pools of sweetly irresistible but lethal anti-freeze, unplugging paper
shredders when not in use so probing noses and tongues won't activate
them. I'm adding another potential peril to the list:
retractable leashes, those long-cord gadgets with plastic handles that
allow the dog to roam 20 or 30 feet from the walker. I've seen way too
many tragedies and near-misses befall dogs at the end of those leashes.
And most of all, not one of these, it's important to point out, was equipment failure.
All were human/user failures, the result of their being used in settings
(mostly urban) and in a way (extended to the full length) that was
inappropriate for the amount of chaos or possible calamity inherent in
the situation. •A deaf dog that didn't notice a car backing out
of a shrub-obscured driveway (as the oblivious owner, 20 feet behind, chatting on a cellphone and not paying attention to the dog). •Dogs that darted into the street and the walker was unable to pull them back from afar.  •A young dog mangled by another dog when the two
met at a blind corner and the pup, far from its owner and unable to be
kept restrained, encountered the old dog and suffered the
consequences.•A well-mannered dog that, at a blind corner, was slammed into by a kid on a speeding bicycle. Unfortunately, until something awful happens — or
almost happens — we're consumed only with the notion that the dog has
more freedom, that it can sniff at will and cover more ground than on a
four-foot leash. We don't always think ahead to how bad things can get
when a dog has a head start of three seconds and 15 feet. When walking a dog, at all times and especially in situations where there are cars crossing frequently, children at play and other pedestrians, it is well advised to keep the dogs close - within 2-3 feet, on a standard nylon or leather leash. This is not only maintains control of the dog from pulling away and potentially having the walker drop the leash because of the surprise and strength of the dog. This also prevents the dogs from darting towards cats, squirrels and birds, other dogs and children. I was taking the dogs out the other night after dark, stepped out of the door on a very quiet night. However, just about 20 feet away and obscured by several shrubs and the darkness, were other dog walkers with their dogs. The dogs I was about to walk darted in that direction. Fortunately, I had the dogs on 3 foot nylon leashes so I was able to hold on tightly and avert disaster. If that had been retractable leashes, it could have gone another way - the dogs could have pulled away from me and I could have lost control of the leashes due to the awkward plastic handles slipping from my hands. Thereby, releasing the dogs upon the other dog and into harms way from vehicles, canals and other animals. Every pet sitting and dog walking job I undertake I insist upon standard leashes for all dogs, even small dogs. I remember another occasion when I had been walking two small dogs (miniature Schnauzer and Chihauhau) on retractable leashes. When another walker came nearby the dogs wanted to greet each other and the leashes became tangled. This is not only awkward and embarassing, but potentially hazardous because if the dogs do nip at each other, it will be difficult to separate them quickly. It is my goal to keep the dogs in my care safe and having a secure leash is a top priority for me on every pet sitting and dog walking assignment. I tell this to all of my clients. And they are grateful. |
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