At first glance, a retractable lead seems to offer the best of both worlds, giving your dog plenty of freedom while keeping them connected to you. However, the reality on the ground is very different. In the video shared by The Dodo, the footage shows how quickly things can go wrong in just a split second, leaving the owner completely helpless.
Accidents and close calls
As you can see in the video, a pet owner was just about to take their two dogs out for a walk. Unfortunately, they dropped one of the leads, forcing them to chase after both dogs.
This chase lasted for several long, frantic minutes, giving the owner a real fright because of how dangerous the situation became.
The dogs could easily have been hit by a car, hurt themselves, or even caused property damage with the trailing lead.
What are the best alternatives?
To keep your walks safe, experts recommend:
- A short, fixed lead (approx. 5 to 6 feet): Ideal for walks in town, busy areas, and working on recall.
- A long training line (15 to 30 feet): Made of webbing or Biothane and used with a suitable harness, this gives your dog freedom in open spaces without the danger of a tense, retracting cord.
- An ergonomic harness: This helps distribute pressure across the chest rather than putting strain on the neck and windpipe.