Flexi-Leads Why They Are Not Safe!

Flexi-Leads are not only unsafe for your dog, but for you as well.

Below is some great insight from an article "Why I hate Flexi-Leads" by Smartdogs Weblog 7/25/08 by Sebastian Schmieg

I) At big box pet stores you see Fido in aisle two urinating or shop-lifting treats, while the owner is
chatting in another aisle. Or you are accosted in parks and/or sidewalk by lunging dogs, who's owners smile or refuse to make eye contact with you. Flexi-leads allow the dog to train themselves to behave badly when out in public.

II) Seem to be nearly perfectly designed to teach dogs to pull. They pull and get rewarded with more space and freedom. Stop pulling and get punished with the collar and leash snapping (pulling) back on them.

III) Freedom is something that should be earned not given. Letting a dog that hasn't been given proper guidance and training on rules and boundaries for society make their own decision is more confusing for the dog.

IV) Causes the handler to be in a position of being reactive instead of proactive on walks. Dogs that think they make the decision and are entitle to unlimited space and freedom will never recognize the owner as a leader.

V) Safety Issues. a) cord and/or lead can cause burns to both humans and canine body parts, b) get wrapped around body parts that can cause injuries from tripping to worse case of amputation or strangulation.

VI) When a dog is more than 10-25' beyond an inattentive owner a) can be hit by a car, b) attacked by another dog, or c) smacked or pepper-sprayed by a person who does not welcome his advances.

VII) Most leash laws specify a 6' or less law so an extended flexi leas does not comply.

VIII) Handles-even if you are a conscientious owner it is darn near impossible to control from 15' away. If you drop the handle when your dog bolts away the noise of a dragging handle may startle them and he may run even faster and go even farther.

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Below are a few stories from "The Chronicle of the Horse" " Flexi-leads Are they Safe?" copyright 2000-2011 Jelsoft enterprises ltd.

1) 10/19/11 Writer states: That they have obtained two ugly scars from other people's careless use of flexi-leads. (1) on the NECK when someone behind allowed their dog to barrel down a stairway and at the bottom the dog turned 90 degrees and clotheslined her neck. (2) walking with a friend who's dog was on a flexi-lead and the dog took an unexpected turn cutting two deep cuts on the back of her knees from the tape style.

2) 10/20/11 Writer states: Work in vet's office and have assisted in a large number of emergencies of dogs being hit by cars while chasing a squirrel, dogs in dog fights all that are related to being on flexi-leads. Also makes a great statement and I quote "Dogs are still animals and no matter how well trained they are, they can still react to things beyond our control."

3) 10/20/11 Writer states: Used flexi-lead for large dogs on a 45lb pit bull mix the dog bolted away and pulled the cord off the plastic handle. Luckily they were walking on a farm with many acres of land but the possibilities of what could have happened in a dog park or near a busy street are endless.

So in closing dog owners need to always be aware of everything around them and their pets. Even though your dog maybe well behaved and/or friendly with other people and/or dogs not all dogs and/or people that you encounter along your way are and/or feel the same way towards your dog.