Flexi-leads

I HATE them and will NOT use them.  I have a dog that is quite capable of pulling a small car if she so decides and a little piece of string won't do diddly to keep her in place.  My VOICE is a better "leash" than one of these.

I have seen them break, hurt people's fingers, give rope burns to OTHER people and let dogs run out in front of cars as clueless owners chat on their cells or with a buddy rather than pay attention to their animals. Give me a good nylon lead ANY day.

This was the first leash we bought for Misty, because Emily (my daughter) liked it (it was pink).  We still use it sometimes, but now that we bought a regular nylon leash, I use the nylon one more.  When I used the flex leash, I locked it to a length that is pretty much the same as the nylon.  But since I'm trying to teach Misty not to pull, the flex leash really isn't good enough.  I don't have as much control over it and the leash, is like a wire and hurts your hand/fingers when you try to grab at it to make it shorter.  But I still have it and will use it sometimes down at the boat where its more open.  I never allowed Misty to just pull and go when walking her around the neighborhood, since cars go by, it was kind of stupid.  I figure when she is able to walk with me w/out pulling, I'd use it, I actually like the fact I get a variety of lengths out of it, but for now, it's just not worth the hassel.

 I HATE them.  As a cyclist on multi-use trails, I was continually put in the position of dodging small dogs on insanely long lines with their owners oblivious.  I see dogs puling, pulling, puling on them often in a way that cannot be corrected because of the length of the line.  I see people letting their dogs harass, threaten, or just mildly annoy other people because the dog IS "on-lead". 

On the other hand, I've seen people who use the tool after they have trained themselves and their dogs, and none of the above are true.  It's the preponderance of untrained dogs with all this line that are the problem.  And, I know they would probably be untrained on a 6' leash, too, but at least their radius for trouble making would be smaller. 

 IMO flexi's do not belong on sidewalks along traffic or other dangerous situations where if the dog is 16 feet out front and goes sideways after something all of a sudden, it could get hit by traffic. 

Open fields, along park paths (where you can reel them in or go off the path if need be) are fine.  Or out to potty in the yard.  All fine scenarios. 

I do not like Flexi's either. I truly think they are at best a nuissance and at worst a big danger in the hands of the average dog owner.  My neighbour's puppy was killed when he chased a car and the Flexi broke when he hit the end - it was devastating. 

I wouldn't mind Flexi's so much if people used them exclusively in secluded areas AWAY from traffic and people AND with dog's who do not pull and are not reactive.  I panic everytime I see an owner walking their dog on a sidewalk, the Flexi fully extended when the road is less than 5 feet away. I personally wouldn't trust my timing or the locking mechanism should an emergency ever arise.

I love mine for hiking. Rascal is a terrible sniffer (I swear he's part hound!) and so with a regular leash in the woods I have to keep him on a tight heel the whole time which kind of defeats the purpose of "taking him for a fun romp in the woods." So, I use the flexi, and let him sniff, and when I get to the end of the leash and he's still back there snuffing at the base of that stupid tree, I tell him "Let's go!" and comes running to catch up. If I were on a regular leash I would have to stop, stand, and wait, and a "fun walk" would take about an hour to go 50 feet! Either that or we'd use a long line, which with my short little fellow would get tangled on all sorts of things. With Rascal, I would never ever ever walk him off-leash no matter how well-trained he was, just because he's so small and can easily become prey to some big bad something - the Flexi is my compromise.

So... how is using a Flexi in an unpopulated area less safe than having your dog off-leash in the same area? 

Seems like 90% of the Flexi hate is actually stupid owner hate and has nothing to do with the leash itself.

I understand not wanting to use them for yourself and for your dog, but I don't understand hating them passionately.

Edited: there, better? :-p 

Any thing one feels passionate about, or has an opinion about, could be termed silly by someone else. I'm not sure that's the best way to express that you don't share their opinions.

I use flexis sometimes.  Sometimes I will take of of my dogs out for a walk on a 6 foot lead and I'll take the flexi with me.  I break it out when we get to the park.  I find it easier to run around and frolic with a flexi because you don't have slack for the dog to get caught up in or step over. 

I also take them with me on trail hikes so that the dogs can swim or wade in streams and such.  I don't have to get too close to the water and it's a lot handier than carting around a soggy long line.

Occasionally, I'll walk Mochi on one, but he doesn't pull and he doesn't step off the sidewalk.  When we need to pass people, I ask him to stop and I take up all the slack as to not be a bother to anyone.

I see why people hate them though.  I can't imagine walking a dog that pulled on one.  I'd be terrified of it snapping!

agilebasenji

BUT if you do use them, please train you're dog not to freak out at the clattering noise they make when they are dropped and trail after the dog. 

Haha. I've heard so many horror stories that I decided to proof the Flexi, one day. It's a PITA to hold in my hand, and I knew I was going to drop it, so I had Em do recalls, dragging the Flexi behind her. When I did drop it (I've done it a few times, now), she startled a very tiny amount (she jumped) and then ignored it. 

 I won't use them.  The chance for user error is way too high, my dog died that way. (ran into the road before it could be stopped and was hit by a car).

 I also have a scar around the back of my right knee from someone elses flexi lead, that thing smarted! Right on the bend of my leg, too.  Ouch!

I like them. I always used them on Timber and he was a 110lb. GSD.  I use one now with Lizzy. she still has to learn to heel but I use the flexi because she has chewed through 4 leashes so far and when she tries to chew on the flexi I just reel it in short. I can also reel her in fast when necessary.  I also like it because she can run a little while I walk. I have a leg disease and can't walk a lot so she gets more exercise this way. I understand all the cons that everyone is experiencing but I know how to use one and have never had a problem.