I was about to go to jail...

Flexis...like bikes, skateboards, motorized scooters...etc. Are operator controlled and capable of inflicting grievious injury to others, and often favored by those not completely able to master and control their movements reliably.
 
Like the aforementioned...they should be regulated as to where they are allowed...and where NOT. I'm all for that....I hate the durned things with a heated, purple, passion [:@]

I had to use one of those flexi things when I was babysitting for my friend and had to take her ug out to go to the bathroom.
My friend had it set at a certain length and I couldn't figure out the leash, so I left it where it was and poor Sugar Booger only had a certain amount of leash to work with. 
When I get my dog, I won't be buying one of those.  When I did figure it out, it didn't work right.  Sometimes it worked and then other times it wouldn't budge.  Fun.  I'll stick to a regular leash. 

Some people can't control their dogs, some people can't control the language they use in public.  I am not sure either is really appropriate.  That being said, I bet it was a good show.  Wish I had been there to see it.  []

ORIGINAL: probe1957

Some people can't control their dogs, some people can't control the language they use in public.  I am not sure either is really appropriate.  That being said, I bet it was a good show.  Wish I had been there to see it.  []

 
LOL!! Yeah, it was rather uncouth of me to stoop to that level. It just angered me at how this dog was about 10 feet away from this woman and was still coming towards my dogs because his owner did not know how to use the locking mechanism and couldn't figure out how to reel him in. She began to pull him in by wrapping the string around her hand. This was a big boy too. She had no control over him as he was dragging her even when she got him by the collar. She had a teenager with her and she helped drag the dog away too. It wasn't packed in the store but there were people standing around. It's crazy because I'm a frequent shopper there and I know some of the staff. I had a few come up to me and ask if we were ok because they've never seen me so heated. I'm always nice to the folks in there. But yeah, it was crazy. I hope it doesn't happen again and for the lady's sake, I hope she learns not to use a Flexi on her dog when she takes him in public because next time he might end up hurting a dog or a person.

I used a flexi for years with the little lab/cocker mix and it worked great.  He was not a puller - I learned the hard way that it is NOT the leash for Max. [] Do people not realize that it just takes a second to reel it in and lock it in place?  If I was going into PetCo with a dog on a flexi, I'd have it locked to about 2 or 3 ft. before I went in the store.

Joyce

I wasn't being critical of you and I hope you didn't take it that way.  It doesn't look like you did.  []

I think the only time I found it useful was when I am teaching down and sit stay...also come! I use a regular leather leash (thanks to the suggestions here) when we walk or are in public places.

What a moron she is!!! I hate when people bring in their dogs in the store and the dog is going crazy trying to drag their owners around while trying to go after dogs. 
 
Flexi's are the worst thing you can use on an untrained dog. I have to use them at work for the people that leave their dog's leashes and collars. We had one dog that should have been on a regular leash and even using the dum lock  that didn't stop the dog from running to their owners. I couldn't see how a lock on those stupid things was going to stop that dog.
 

I dont think flexis should be used in ANY public place. No matter how well behaved your dog is, with a flexi you have no control.

Not exactly. I have pretty great control over Emma, with or without any leash or training tool. I have pretty poor control over Teenie, with or without any leash or training tool. It's all about the level of training.

Also, Flexi leads have locks that are rather easy to use.

That said, I use a 3-6 foot, nylon lead in enclosed areas (like vet's offices and pet stores). The Flexi lead, drag lines, 20 foot training leads, etc are reserved for the beach, bike rides, playing in the big feild, etc.

I have to agree with probe 1957  about the language, but I feel your frustration, too. But by having a breakdown and screaming explitives, you look like the crazy person and will be the one escorted out of the building. 

I am so careful about walking my over-the-top birddogs when we go out in public, it drives me ballistic (my brain sees red) when someone shows up with an out-of-controll dog on a flexi.  I try to curb my tongue, mainly because I don't want to look like the maniac and make little kids afraid of me, especially when the flexi moron comes off as looking like the victim.  I will usually rein in my girls, make them sit and firmly say "PLEASE CONTROL YOUR DOG!".  Everyone will then try to help the idiot with the flexi straighten hsi act up.