Flexi-leads can be helpful, but they can also be very dangerous. Knowing when to use and when not to use a flexi-lead is vital.
Flexi-leads should not be used in crowded places. The thin cord or tape is difficult to see and can easily trip a person or dog. If the tape gets wrapped around someone’s limbs it can severely injure them or even amputate fingers. Letting your dog get too far away can mean you’re not close enough to help if they get in trouble.
Using flexi-leads near roads is also a bad plan. Even if your dog “always stays on the sidewalk,” they might get distracted by a squirrel or panic because of sudden loud noises. A dog who is ten feet in front of you can be suddenly ten feet to the side and in the path of a car, and there’s not much you can do in a short period of time.
Do not use more than one flexi-lead at a time. Unless you have a third functioning hand, you won’t be able to safely hold two or more when you need to pick up after your dog. Flexi-leads are bulky and difficult to hold onto at the best of times; trying to fit more than one in your hand is a recipe for disaster. You won’t be able to lock them quickly, or they may be pulled from your hands.
Do not use a flexi-lead with a new rescue or a sound-sensitive dog. Many dogs get scared when their walker drops the flexi-lead and it “chases” them, clattering loudly.
Another thing to be aware of is the failure rate of flexi-leads. Many people have experienced their flexi-lead’s lock mechanism breaking. Make sure the leash you’re using is rated for your dog’s weight and that the brand is well-rated. Always be prepared for your equipment to fail.
Do not use a flexi-lead with any kind of anti-pull device. Prong collars, choke collars, head halters, front-clip harnesses, or the pulls-on-thin-cords-in-the-dog’s-armpits anti-pull harnesses are not meant to be used with a flexi-lead. Flexi-leads encourage the dog to pull by rewarding them with more freedom of movement when they do. Ideally, a back-clipping harness should be used to protect the dog’s neck from any kind of sudden pressure when you lock the leash.
Now that you know when not to use a flexi-leash, here are some reasons you may want to.
Some dogs want privacy when pottying. A flexi-lead allows you to keep them on a leash while still giving them the space they need to be comfortable. For dogs used to pottying in a fenced yard, this can be invaluable when traveling.
For deaf dogs, being off-leash may not be an option. Some find the constant feedback of the flexi-lead’s pressure to be reassuring since they can’t hear your footsteps like other dogs can.
When exploring an unpopulated trail, a flexi-lead will allow your dog to explore and sniff to their heart’s content while keeping them from running away.
Long lines are an alternative to flexi-leads, but carry some of the same caveats. Do not use either in crowded places, and be aware that the drag of the line over skin can cause serious friction burns quickly. Wrapping any kind of leash around your hand can cause injury, but the longer the leash the more likely this is.
