The retractable leash can indeed be a hazard when walking near cars. As I was walking the neighbor's dog with their retractable leash (we have one too), we were walking in the street on the side, in our courtyard villas. A car was coming up behind us, and the dog bolted toward the car, wanting to chase and attack it (another story, for dog psychologist). I tried to retract the leash but the BUTTON STUCK, and so I grabbed the thin cord and tried to pull him back to me by hand with the cord. The cord ripped thru my hand like a knife, literally, and because of the slicing pain in that hand I had to dive toward the yard and into the bushes, and drag the dog out from under the approaching wheels of the car. It was a narrow miss of that dog getting run over.

Please use only a fixed-length leash when walking in the streets!

Two neighbors out walking their dogs...the dogs did what dogs do when they get together...play and 'smell' and chase each other. Soon the retractable leashes are around the one neighbor's legs and the leashes are tangled. There wasn't an accident but I could see where this could have happened. The one neighbor is in their 80's and the other too has health issues. This could have been a horrible affair if they'd not have been still at the time so could untangle the things.:sad:

I was at Buffalo Ridge Animal Hospital this morning. I told the Vet Tech what happened in the square. He told me they recently had to euthanize a dog that ran in front of a golf cart and amputate a leg of another dog. Both accidents cause by retractable leashes. I haver never and will never use a retractable leash. Way too many accidents to people and dogs.

Wow. This thread has been an eye opener. Thank you for telling us. I will bring it up on this forum again and again if I can. We all should remind everyone of the dangers to people AND Dogs too.

Not a fan of retractable leashes. One of my neighbors uses one and the dog is always getting tangled. This, of course, is because he lets the leash out all the way - 15 feet.

Personally, the only time I use one is when it is raining out and my dog has to go. I stand inside my screened in porch and give her a few feet to go out and then come running back in.

Never walk her with it - only a sturdy 6 foot leash.

Just my 2 cents worth!

Retractable leashes are NO GOOD no matter what!! My first dog was run over by a golf cart because I couldn't grab the leash. I only had it out about 4 feet and it was locked - she darted because a dog was in the cart (she had never done this before) - I tried to grab it, it just slid through and nearly cut off my finger. I still have the scar as a constant reminder. It was a miracle that she was not hurt after going underneath and coming out the side of the cart. I threw the leash away immediately and would never use one again or allow any petsitter to put one on my dog. They are lethal!! They are dangerous to both pet and person. If I had been using a regular leash I could have grabbed it. People tend to want to blame the owner when something like this happens - oh, they weren't using it correctly. Not So! You have very little control with those leashes especially in an emergency situation.

Y'all are quite correct about the potential danger of a retractable leash, but I have had my Standard Poodle and Aussie on one for over 9 years. It is not the leash that is the problem, but owners that don't know the correct time and place to let it go. They serve a purpose under the right conditions and can also be used in daily walking if used correctly. :doggie:

gomoho - i have had to use a retractable leash when pet sitting, and for the life of me, i cannot fathom what the right conditions might be for using that leash...could you please enlighten? after receiving one of those slice-em-up cuts one day, i bought a non-retractable leash to keep for those days when i still pet sit. thanx for any info you can share.

Well I have dogs that need to blow off steam and since they can't run free I have them on the retractable, fully extended, and they run around the yard in circles. Works for my kids, but I am sure not for everyone. On the rare occasion we are somewhere they can explore their surroundings it is also appropriate in that situation.

I wasn't really sure how this post would make people feel. I guess I just wanted people to be aware of what could happen when using one of these leashes. I don't think people see these as a possible danger to themselves or others in a crowded area. Thanks for all the well wishes and concern for my Aunt. She is back in Cleveland and will be seeing her doctors on Monday. She was a real trooper, the same night this happened she still wanted to go to Glenview for the twin lobster tails. She got a few odd looks, but ate well!

thanks. we always had a post that was deep in the ground with a long, long lead that allowed our dog[s] to have at it in our back yard - blowin' off that steam! never had to leave on a leash for running free! i can understand a retractable bein' good for when they hafta stay on your own property.

So sorry for the op's aunt. That was an awful accident. It did bring an important issue up though. I will no longer use a retractable leash. It sounds like an accident waiting to happen. I have to admit though...99% of the time, I use it so that I can keep her closer to me. If I keep the leash at about 3 ft or so, I have more control over her and she doesn't pull so much....also, a harness helps with that. But I do agree completely about the dangers of the retractable leash. Glad it was posted. ( not the accident, just the post).

Bless her heart :)

I used to use them with my two dogs until they were attacked by a big dog. I was so flustered I couldn't get them locked and the dogs pulled in different directions. The attacking dog would go for one of them and I'd get it away and then it went for the other one. If a UPS delivery man wasn't near and helped me my dogs could be dead. That was the last time I ever used one.

I have seen those leashes break easily when a dog lunges. A dog on the other side of the street lunged when he saw me and my dog - the leash broke and he came flying at us. Fortunately, Missy was little and I scooped her up. There is not one good thing to say about retractable leashes and not one good excuse for using them. I have a regular extra long leash that my dog can run and play ball with me in the back yard. It works fine and is secure. I praise anyone who refuses to use retractable leashes - you are smart and showing true love and protection for your dog.