Take retractable leash properly:
Retractable dog leashes are a crucial piece of equipment
for any dog owner. Properly used, a leash provides safety and security
for a pet. Many dog owners quickly become frustrated at standard leashes.
When their pets pull on them, the leashes become tangled, and they do
not give either the dog or the owner enough freedom of movement for
an enjoyable walk. Retractable leashes are popular because they solve
many of these problems
Using a Retractable Leash
To accustom a pet to using a retractable leash, they should initially
be trained using a standard, non-retracting tether. This gets the dog
used to the feel and purpose of a leash without contending with the
new features of a retractable model. Once both pet and owner are comfortable
with using a leash, gradually switching to a retractable dog leash will
be easy.
Always attach the leash to the dog’s collar when it is mostly retracted,
leaving a very short length of cord exposed. This prevents initial tangles
and allows the owner to set the pace of the walk with greater control.
With the touch of a button, a retractable dog leash can grow or shrink
as needed, but it should never be used to pull or tug on the animal.
Instead, the owner should approach their pet, shortening the leash as
they go, decreasing the distance between them and their dog. This is
particularly useful when crossing streets, approaching strange people
or animals, or in other situations when greater control is needed. A
longer leash gives the dog greater freedom in open spaces when their
safety is not at risk.
If a retractable pet lead becomes sluggish or shows signs of fraying,
the winding mechanism may be off-balance and fail to rewind properly.
At that point, the owner should purchase a new item, because the damaged
model is unable to perform as effectively. If the cord becomes wet,
it should be left open (not retracted) until dry to prevent mildew and
decay.
Retractable Dog Leash Accessories
As more communities require owners to clean up after their dogs, retractable
dog leashes are beginning to offer a range of convenient accessories.
Rolls of plastic bags can be attached to the leash’s plastic handle,
and newer models have sufficient attachment space and dispensers built
in. Several models also offer buckles or hooks to attach duplicate dog
license tags – the original tag should always be attached to the pet’s
collar. Both standard and retractable leashes come in a variety of attractive
colors to coordinate with different collars, and reflective accents
and patterns are both decorative and a valuable safety feature.
Summary
Though retractable dog leashes are convenient and give both pets and
owners greater freedom and control, they must be used properly to be
effective. With initial training and considerate use, they are a great
tool for dog owners. Accessories are available for safety features and
responsible cleanups, making retractable dog leashes a convenient choice
for owners, particularly those who enjoy frequent walks with their pets
or who visit Dog Parks and must abide by the posted regulations.
Retractable Dog Leashes are Dangerous:
Wednesday, August 03, 2005
A woman in Massachusetts want to let everyone know not to use a retractable
dog leash, because they can cut your finger off.
That's what happened to her. She was using a retractable dog leash
made by Flexi. She had the retractable cord wrapped around her finger.
When the dog jolted forward and ran, the cord grabbed her finger, pulled
her down to the ground, and snapped her finger off.
An article published by NewsCenter5 said they did some background research,
and found that this happened before, as many as 30 similar incidents
going back to 2002. In one case, Flexi was sued, and settled out of
court.
Flexi's website clearly provides instructions not to wrap the cord
around your finger, and even says that doing so presents an amputation
hazard.
But who's fault is it? Flexi's or the user? The issue is not so much
that the leash is retractable, but that the retractable cord itself
is narrow, and is better able to separate fingers. But most people do
have a habit of wrapping cords and leashes around their hands and fingers,
so I wouldn't blame human nature.
However, more people have been injured in automobile accidents than
with dog leashes, but that's no reason to ban automobiles. There is
a right way and a wrong way to operate automobiles. The same goes for
the retractable dog leash. Ultimately, the end user is responsible for
his or her own safety. But, let buyer beware!
