Flexi lead and preventing pulling- solutions?

A flexi does not always have to have tension. I quite often extend to leash fully and lock it. This is no different than having a long lead or training line on the dog. That is why I like a flexi. It can be any length you want. You just have to lock it so it doesn't automatically rewind when slack.

I think this is your best bet. Get a flexi but don't use it as a flexi. Let the line out when the dog is standing next to you. Wait until she comes back to you before reeling the extra line in. This way it's like carrying a leash and a long lead but easier.

Sammy has learned the difference between leashes.  I also like the flexi so he can sniff without pulling me in the snow, etc but he also still walks nice on a regular leash.  I'm not sure how he learned the difference, but he's a smartie  

Going against what most others say, I love the flexi.  I know it isn't smart for walking with a lot of people/dogs, but it's nice for him to get his sniffing in without me having to walk him to the grass and constantly follow.

Same with my dog. I don't trust him off-leash yet (we have a lot of work to do on recall) so, for us, flexis are great for things like romping in the woods or running around a field. Still, the darn thing is cumbersome, so for regular walks we generally just use a plain nylon lead. He pulls a very little bit sometimes with either lead, but he's small, so it's never an issue. Since I got the flexi (and have been working with him more) the pulling has actually gotten better, not worse.

One thing I'd caution, though - my timid little fellow gets scared of the noise the leash makes when it zips in and retracts. So I do have to be careful not to let it retract suddenly.

One of the things about dogs is that they don't generalize well-- which means they can be trained to do apparently contradictory behaviors easily. If you want to try the flexi or long line, just give her a new cue-- Go Play-- which means she's allowed to do anything she wants, including pull on leash, until you tell her otherwise.

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

Bah humbug. I mean thank you. lol [] Do you have any ideas for something that would lesson the tension Gingerbread would feel from the flexi retracting?

The only thing that I can think of would be something that attaches between the flexi and the harness that was heavy enough that the small amount of force the flexi applies would not be enough to lift it. This would of course not stop the tension on the harness, only redirect it toward the ground. This way, she doesn't feel the tension from the side (like she would if there was tension on a regular leash) but toward the ground. As mudpuppy said, since dogs don't generalize well, she would probably not link the tension toward the ground meaning to come to you.

Having said that, I don't even think that this would be something worth trying. It would probably cause Gingerbread some discomfort having that extra weight constantly hanging from her. It's up to you though.

ORIGINAL:  Luvntzus


Thanks Nicole. I'm a little confused though, are you saying that since the flexi has a small amount of tension and the stretchy thing is made for large amounts of force, that it would work?

No, it would not work. Think about a large, very stiff spring. If you pull on it very hard, it stretches. When it stretches it absorbs some of that force that you are applying to it. But if you don't pull on it very hard, it doesn't stretch. Therefore it doesn't absorb any of your pulling force. your force is transferred straight through it relatively unchanged.

Now relate this to the JerkEase. It is designed to absorb a large amount of force, like when a dog lunges forward, but to just hang there and not stretch when just walking calmly. The large force that the dog creates by lunging is absorbed somewhat so it doesn't jerk you off your feet. But when a small amount of force (such as that from a flexi) is applied, it will not be enough to cause the thing to stretch. So, because of this, the small amount of force the flexi applies will be directly transferred through the JerkEase, which will not help you at all.

However, if the jerkease is heavy enough, it would act as the weight that I was talking about earlier. I HIGHLY doubt that it would be heavy enough though. It looks like it is made of lightweight materials.

I think that to accomplish what you want, something that will allow your dog more freedom but still keep you in control, either use a flexi that is extended and locked or a long line. Whichever one would work like you want. Hope this helps.

nGoldenm- Thank you for your explanation. I finally get it! Yay!!! Thank you for saving me about $15 on that jerk ease attachment. []

Mudpuppy- What you said actually makes me feel much better about using a flexi. I already do use a command "go sniff" for letting him wander around on the grass instead of walking by my side. So really, I guess it wouldn't be as confusing for him as I thought.

ORIGINAL: Luvntzus

nGoldenm- Thank you for your explanation. I finally get it! Yay!!! Thank you for saving me about $15 on that jerk ease attachment. []

Not a problem. Best of luck to you with Gingerbread.

Luvntzus--
 
I'm late to this discussion, but how about something like this:  It's called "The Roamer"------
[linkhttp://www.ruffwear.com/The-Roamer-Leash?sc=2&category=15]http://www.ruffwear.com/The-Roamer-Leash?sc=2&category=15[/link]
 
Hope this helps.