Are retractable leashes safe?

[Rach_73]

I want to give my dog extra freedom to run on our walks, but his recall isn't great when other dogs are around. I was thinking about getting a retractable leash, but there are many conflicting opinions online about whether they are safe. Are they safe? If so, would you recommend any? My dog is medium size. Thanks.

 

[GeorgieCKCS]

Retractable leashes can be convenient for giving dogs more freedom to explore, but they come with several safety considerations. The thin cord can cause cuts, burns, or even more severe injuries to both dogs and humans if it wraps around a limb. It can be harder to control your dog, especially if they see something exciting like another dog. The retraction mechanism can sometimes fail, leading to a runaway dog and they can encourage pulling behavior since dogs learn that pulling gets them more freedom. Consider a long line leash (15-30 feet) as a safer alternative that way they can have a longer lead, but you can maintain better control!