Using flexies

What's your opinion of using flexis? Still and Silent just had a very bad experience with a dog on a flexi, and it seems as if a number of problem dogs I've encountered over the years have also been on flexis. But there must be more upsides than downsides or they would not remain so popular.

I like using mine

There are certain circumstances that they are ok but as a whole I think they are not a good idea and dangerous.

I think Flexi leads have their time and place, but most people who use them are clueless dog owners who think their dog needs 20ft of freedom on a leashed neighbourhood walk. The majority of people who use them don't use them in a controlled, proper way. They let the dog roam all over the place, making their dogs a nuisance to traffic, a nuisance to others walking, etc. I've also heard of quite a few Flexi Leads breaking under pressure, because the dog pulls too much with them.

I personally have no need for a Flexi, and don't use them. I prefer to keep my dog controlled on a fixed length loose leash beside me. When I do need a long lead, I put my dogs on a long line, and only ever in an open field where they can't bother anyone. I think the Flexi can be a good tool in proper hands, but overall I don't like them just because so many ignorant people use them on their unruly dogs.

I absolutly hate flexie leashes. I hate using them and I hate running into people that use them..

Plus i have seen WAY to many of them break when a dog see's something and runs and has enough momentum built up that he breaks the leash..

Even keely did that , and it was a VERY good quality flexie.

I've used one once and hated it !! Not for big dogs !

I think everyone who uses them should have to first take a class in how the retract aspect of a retractable leash works.

From a training perspective, they do have huge downsides...the biggest being that they tend to teach the dog to be on a tight leash ~ but that's because of how they're used.

That said, I love my flexi.

^ I agree CP. I do love my Flexi though.

Would gladly gather up all flexis and have a public burning.

I happen to really like my flexi.... but it does have it's time and place.

I think the main *problem* is people not knowing how to stop/retract their dog.... or simply not caring too.

I think flexis have a time and a place, on a trained dog that already knows leash rules, in a place (like the beach, park) where you would like to give him/her more freedom, its a GREAT tool

but in general, like for everyday use... not a good idea IMO. they give zero control, and it teaches the dog that pulling=more leash.

Ive also gotten the NASTIEST leash burn because a dog on a flexi ran passed me and the lead/rope thing slid across the back of my knees. OUCH!

I loath them with a passion. I would rather use a long lead then a Flexi. I dont feel like I am in enough control plus I find them too big and annoying to hold.

I don't like them. When my dogs are on a leash walk, I like them fairly close to me...within the 6 ft. length of my regular leather leash...usually a little closer than that unless they get permission to "go sniff" for a moment. When on a leash, we're walking together, side by side basically...not that they are completely free to go all over the place. They get plenty of times to run off leash on my property and where we go for hikes with no leash. Anyhow, I don't like the constant tension they produce on the collar, even if it isn't strong. I want to always reiterate to my dogs that any tension with the leash equals no walking.

I don't use a flexi leash as they are more expensive than a regular leash and if a dog was to run off fast they could break. Instead I use a 16 foot training leash and when on grass at the park I let Lola have as much as she wants but if their is a dog coming towards us and I have not met the dog she gets enough leash to be by my side.

If we are walking on the street she gets enough loose leash to be by my side. I have looked at the flexi leashes but could not justify spending a lot more money than I did on the training leash. When it comes to going somewhere in the truck such as the dog park, Pet Smart or Petco or the vet then I use a 6 foot leash. When we do our dog therapy then she gets a four foot leash and she gets about 3 feet of that when walking in the facility.

I think they give very little control, for that reason they should not be bused near busy roads, at the vets or in other heavily populated areas. If you are going for a walk in the woods or a field or something then that's fine. I hate seeing people using them around here because the dog is out 20 feet in front of the owner on the side walk, if he decides to dart across the street and a car comes there is no way the owner can get the dog back out of the street in time.

I'll light the match for you.

The only time I see them as useful is in a big open field with no other objects or dogs. I've seen them break, I've seen people with very nasty burns behind their knees from the cord getting against their leg and the dog pulling, and I've seen dogs scared out of their minds when their owners drop the handle and they are suddenly being chased by a noisy plastic thing (didn't we have someone here who's dog was badly injured that way?). I stay far away from anyone who has a dog on a Flexi, because I just don't trust them.

Going for walks with more then one dogs is impossible with a flexi leash. Though when we go places like the beach where we're seated for a while I love using them.

You can tell by the look of despair that they realized there's no way to reel in a dog ...

I agree with the others that say there's a time and a place ... and wholeheartedly agree you should have to take a class first!

I like mine when I'm traveling for dog shows and staying at hotels - nowhere for the dogs to run, but enough room to give them their 'space' when they want to work up momentum to potty.

I don't agree with that at all.

As others have said, they have their time and place..........not everyone has woods to run their dogs or a place of any kind to let dogs 'get their sniff on' so to speak, LOL

I have one for EACH of the dogs, yes, Orson is a big dog at 75lbs. I do NOT use them for town walking because I want them at my side, but I DO use them when we geo cache out in the woods or other such places. It gives the dogs a bit of sniffing room away from us, lets them lag behind to sniff, or move ahead a bit to sniff.........I want them to enjoy their time in the woods as much as I do and off leash completely is prohibited

That said, I DO know how to use the little thumb button, and they will both come when called so retracting is no big deal either

there is a time and a place. petstores are not the right place. nor are city streets. but out on trails, in fields, etc- flexi leashes are fine there.

but i find that so many many people who use flexis are stupid and rude with their dogs. so many people come into the vet's office where i work and let the dogs out on their flexis and the dog is 15 feet down the hallway or coming behind the reception desk and the owner is not remotely concerned. i suppose they're still better than the people who bring their dogs in, shut the door, and take the leash off. :wall:

i use a flexi for swimming at the lake where they're not allowed to be offleash- i find it's much easier to keep from tangling than a longline. and i'll use it with a harness when hiking with steve on public trails. it's not really that comfortable to hold though, i must say.