Are Retractable Leashes Safe? How to Use One the Right Way

Ask a group of dog owners about retractable leashes and you will get strong opinions. Some love the freedom they give a dog to sniff and explore. Others have seen a dog shoot across a road at the end of a long cord.

Both sides have a point. A retractable leash is a tool. Used in the right place, with the right dog, it makes walks more relaxed for both of you. Used in the wrong place, it can give a dog more room than you can control. We make retractable leashes, so we have thought about this a lot. Here is our honest take.

When a retractable leash works well

• Calm, leash-trained dogs that already walk nicely and come back when called.
• Open, quiet spaces like parks, fields and empty beaches, where your dog can sniff a few metres away without anything to run into.
• Small and medium dogs. Lighter dogs put less force on the leash when they hit the end of the cord.
• Toilet breaks and sniff walks, when you want your dog to wander a bit without you walking every step.

When to use a fixed leash instead

• Puppies and dogs still learning loose-leash walking. A retractable leash rewards pulling, because pulling gets them more cord.
• Strong pullers and large dogs. Check the weight rating of your leash and stay well within it.
• Busy streets, vet waiting rooms and crowded places. You want your dog close, and a fixed leash makes that the default.
• Reactive dogs who lunge at other dogs, bikes or people.

8 rules for using a retractable leash safely

1. Lock it short near roads and people. Most retractable leashes have a lock or brake. Use it before you reach a road, a doorway or a narrow path, not after your dog is already there.

2. Never grab the cord or tape. If something goes wrong, use the brake. Grabbing a moving cord can burn or cut your hand.

3. Clip it to a harness, not just a collar. If your dog runs to the end of the cord, a harness spreads the force across the chest instead of the neck.

4. Add a shock absorber. A short bungee cord between the leash and the harness softens the jolt when your dog takes off after a squirrel. It protects your dog's body and your wrist.

5. Keep the cord off people and other dogs. A long cord stretched across a path is a tripping hazard. Reel in when someone passes.

6. Don't drop it. A dropped retractable handle can rattle towards your dog as the cord rewinds and scare them into running. Choose a handle you can hold securely, or one you can wear.

7. Check the cord and lock regularly. Look for fraying, slow rewinding or a lock that slips. Replace the leash if any of these appear.

8. Teach a "with me" cue. Practise calling your dog back to your side before you reel in. It makes every walk calmer.

Choosing a safer retractable leash

When you compare retractable leashes, look at:

• Brake you can reach instantly. A brake you have to look for is too slow.
• Lock lengths. Preset lengths let you choose the right amount of freedom for each place.
• Weight rating. Stay within the maximum dog weight. Our guide to choosing a leash by dog size can help.
• A secure grip. A handle that is easy to hold, or that you can wear, means you are much less likely to drop it.
• Shock absorption. Built-in, or the option to add a bungee cord.

How we approached this with the UFO Leash Gen 3

The UFO Leash Gen 3 is a ring-shaped retractable leash for dogs up to 30 kg (66 lb). We moved the brake to a trigger inside the ring, so your fingers are already on it when you hold the leash. The 3 m (9.8 ft) lead locks at three lengths: roughly 60 to 80 cm to keep your dog at your side, 110 to 150 cm for exploring, and up to 3 m in open space. Because you can slip the ring over your wrist, it is hard to drop. It also fits our replaceable bungee cord to take the snap out of sudden pulls.

If you are starting from scratch, the UFO Gen 3 Complete Walk Kit includes the leash, a four-point walk harness, two bungee cords and a poop bag holder.

The best leash is the one that fits your dog, your route and your habits. Use a retractable leash where it shines, keep it short where it doesn't, and walks get easier for everyone.

Written by the moestar team.