I was about to go to jail...

i have a couple of the heavy duty flexies with the strap lead instead of the string...never had a problem..

i use them mainly for running around the back yard or down the street..i live in the country tho..

the village close to me banned them...i say good call as some people really dont use thier brains..no sense seeing the dog get hurt because the owner is an idiot.

as for going into the store,my heavy nylon 6 foot lead is all i need...dog is supposed to stay near you at all times,like a kid..right?

ORIGINAL: griffinej5

Maybe there should be flexi licenses.

Ill sign the petition..maybe i should make one lol

I have always used them on walks and LOVE them for that.  I do know how to use it though and have control.  For public places I always use a regular one.  I really wouldnt have it any other way on our walks though....[]

We have a flexi for the perma-foster, but when he is in public, he is on a normal leash.  We bought the flexi to work on him with his recall.  That way, he could only get about 10 feet or so away.  I would've never used it in public though.  I cringe when I see people using them in pet stores.

I HATE HATE HATE HATE Flexis!!!!!!!!! I have my dog sunder control at ALL times. We have one at the shelter and I have yet to see anyone use it.  Let me paint you a picture: one wild shleter dog who has never had any obedience work done plus one Flexi and one clueless shelter volunteer (NOT me!) equals a disaster int hemaking.

I really hate them when people use them to potty dogs at shows. I have had other dogs lunge at Gyspy when she was just minding her own business (or DOING her business) and the owner/handler does NOTHING. GRRRRRRRRRRRR...[:@][:@]

I also use flexies, and also prefer the tape ones to the string ones, LOL.  I take them into stores on then as well, but ten again I know what the lock button is for and keep them to 2-3 feet long when we are around other people.  I hate it when people have to let their damn dogs on full leash, even a 6 foot leash is too long sometimes, so I have some giant nose go up my butt, argg.
 
And why is it that everyone who owns a lab thinks that they are the friendliest dogs in the world so they don't need manners, training or leashes???  FYI I have been attacked by 3 black labs.

Meilani - you were prefectly within your rights as far as I am concerned!! That woman sounds like a complete moron.  Glad everything turned out ok for your guys and they weren't hurt.

Sometimes I think the owners need more training than their dogs

 
Spoken like Cesar Milan.
 

But then I'm WAY WAY more attentive to my dog that I should be.

 
That's the clarifying or qualifying phrase. You actually know when and how to use one. Many people are, in fact, clueless. They simply don't think about it. And that may be a liability for them somday in our litigous world.
 

Same for stupid people

 
Hooraw! Your ability to counter stupidity and stand up for you right to be unmolested by someone's functionally unrestrained pet is admirable.
 

There'd be a whole lot of shankin' goin on. Then you'd see my shank happy culo on the news, covers of the Sun Times, Trib and Daily Southtown

 
Hermana mi Corazon, Essa. You're right, though, there should be far greater responsibility among pet owners, in general.
 

I think I'd suggest to the store manager that they put up a sign that says no flexi-leads in the store.  Only regular leashes, this seems as though it's getting to be a big problem in stores.  I only use flexi on our walks, always regular lead when in a store.

I have scars on my legs from a lot of dog related things....the piece of fence that bit me, the excited pup that jumped up and drew blood, the drag line that wrapped around my ankles......but the one I REALLY resent is from someone ELSES danged flexi that allowed their dog to wrap its little self around me and continue to run.[:@]

grrr!  any product is only as good as the person using it...   if they had no idea how to control their dog in a public place they need to go to obedience school...
i am glad things were not worse for you or your pups

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. What if your dog approaches another, not so nice dog? I personally wouldnt use them unless we are in a secluded area since neither of our dogs can be trusted off lead, then this would be a good alternative.
 
Also, using flexis ina store is a big NO IMO because again, you have little control, what if the dog rounds the corner and meets another dog, or eats something he shouldnt?
 
I used to walk a HUGE dobe/lab mix (I swear he was as big or bogger than a Great Dane) and that boy pulled and pulled until we were about 10 minutes into the walk, then he would settle down. The first time I went to take him out they handed me a flexi and I thought 'there is NO way I am walking this big boy with a flexi unless I want to get my 5 foot self dragged on my but around the block' I got a prong and a nylon leash on him and needless to say we BOTH enjoyed our walks