Longest Retractable Cord Leashes?

    • Puppy
    I have a 25 foot one that I got frop petsmart about 5 years ago..I have never had any problems with controling Zoe my akita on a retractable leash..I'm surpised because for most of her life we went out to the mountains and let her run free...If you have a well trained dog everything is easy..
    • Gold Top Dog
    I do think retractable leashes are a useful tool. I agree, though, that in confined spaces and public places, they're unsafe. I had a dog run out from between the aisles at Petsmart and grab my arm in his mouth. Thankfully, I knew how to handle it, or he may have chomped down (if you're wondering, I did the cheerful saccariney sweet,  "Oh what a silly boy! YOU NEED A SHORTER LEASH!").

    I use a 16 foot retractable to run my dogs on a bike, in a non trafficy area. I'd rather have them out in front, where I can see them, than beside me. I also like the length,  to stop, if they decide to stop. The tension is GOOD on the bike, b/c a dragging long line (which I have in 20 and 50 foot lengths) would be dangerous.
    • Gold Top Dog
    I've got a 26 ft. retractable, until the dogs busted it, anyway. I didn't use that a whole lot, as Cassidy is allowed off leash here at home, and in town or for training, all I need is the regular ones.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Unless you are fast on the trigger and always (and I mean CONSTANTLY) I cannot recommend against one of those enough.
     
    Penny (RIP January 2005, she was 3 yrs old) was startled, by someone weed eating, and she darted into the road......
     
    Pleae be VERY careful with them.  It only takes a fraction of a second.
    • Gold Top Dog
    The longest I've seen on the internet is 35 feet or so.  The longest I've seen in stores is 26 feet.  I prefer 16 feet when going on regular walks.
    • Gold Top Dog
    how exactly do you control a dog on one of these things? the "reel in" action isn't strong enough to drag any but a tiny dog back to you, and you can't physically grasp the line to pull the dog back without cutting your hand open. Dogs on these leashes are out of the owner's control AND armed with a dangerous weapon. If for some bizarre reason you need your dog to walk 30 feet away from you, why not a drag line?
    • Gold Top Dog
    I have a 26 ft flexi. I was really anti-flexi for a long time ,because of the previous dog. She was about 50lbs when we got her, horribly leash aggressive, and they gave her to us with a flexi. I don't know how anyone could have walked her on it, but the first thing I did with that dog, the second I was told she was mine, was put her in the  car and take her to the store for aa new collar and a real leash.
    I got one for Max this summer to use at the park, because having the soaking wet and dirty long line was getting annoying. He already walked nicely on leash without pulling, and he was really not sure about the flexi at first. He didn't really get what the deal with it was, I think because of the slight tension. He would go a  few feet and stop, I think because he was used to stopping every time his leash got tight. He gets it now, but he won't pull on a regular leash. I try not to use it around the neighborhood, unless we're going out to the baseball field where I want him to have extra running room. I also think you have to be much more diligent in keeping an eye out for other people passing you so that you can lock it. No, you will not be able to reel in a large dog. You have to shorten the leash by going towards the dog, not dragging it towards you. It is annoying to me in that I cannot walk in anywhere but the emptiest places with it because I feel like I need to have both my eyes and ears open so that I can see and hear if anyone else is going to pass us.
    • Gold Top Dog
    Like others I think flexis have their place. Maggie has a 16' one we use when hiking as a longline just gets caught on things and stepped on if I'm hiking w/ another person.

    To reel her in when she's far out and I need her close (i.e. to pass other hikers/dogs), I hold the stop down, grap the line, reel that in by hand and gradually release the stop to allow it to return to the casing. No burns and I can have instant control of my dog.

    Maggie wasn't allowed on a flexi until she would walk nicely on lead and obey "wait" and "here" commands btw.
    • Puppy
    I have a 16ft retractable leash and it is fine.  If you have control of your dog they are great.  Key word is control.  And you need to be very observant when they our extended out.  You can't be day dreaming when they are extended.  It's best that you work with your dog and have good control before you let them extend.  You should be able to heal them on command.  I start my walks with heal for 15 minutes and then say ok and extend.  After awhile I'll recall and get a heal to cross a street or something and then say ok and extend again.  Works great and she loves it.  Good luck