The retractable leash IS the problem, and it is a violation of most leash laws, which typically require a six foot leash. The problem is that most "enforcement entities" shall we say, do not enforce the actual law, and ignore dogs that are on a leash longer than 6 feet.
And I say this as the sort of rebel that walks/runs my dogs off-leash regularly. But where that requires a lot of training and I know it, most people who walk dogs on flexi-leashes do not train, and have little or no control of what they are actually doing.
susan
What I want to know is, when are they going to start selling Comfort Zone for HUMANS????? 'Cause some days...
code2high wrote: most people who walk dogs on flexi-leashes do not train, and have little or no control of what they are actually doing.
I couldn't agree with you more. But doesn't that basically underscore the fact that the flexi-leashes are simply the idiot owner's way of denying that there is a control issue? "See, officer, my dog is on a leash - I'm in control."
The OP was pointing out that some small dog owners allow their dogs to exceed accepted boundaries (i.e. his campsite) and then blame others for the consequences. If the dog was off leash and invaded someone else's campsite, there would be no question about fault and responsibility. In my case, the owner tried to blame me for provoking his out of control animal when I was totally focused on riding and keeping my heart rate up and was on a designated bike path, not a dog walking area. I didn't go to his dog - she chased and bit me.
I've been told by our Town's animal control officer that I can carry and use Mace if I feel threatened. I can just see it now, however, "Jeez, officer, I was walking my dog on a leash and this idiot road past on a bicycle and Maced her." I wouldn't stand a chance. The idiot owners, in rampant denial, would be the first one to try to sue me for my action. The same thing is true, I believe for a flexi-leashed animal in a campground. Any action to deal with the threat that the dog presented within my campsite would come back against me. It is just not right.
dturm wrote: I agree that it is the moron on the handle of the retractable, but the dog are great at learning things and most that are not trained assume/learn that they are free to do what they want when they want when attached to the retractable.
Many use the retractable to get around the leash laws.
Retractable leashes have been discussed during several threads, and most of you know my position. I've seen serious injury to animals and people due to rope burns and bite wounds due to lack of control.
In the right hands, I'd have to admit that they're OK, but you have to pay attention to what is going on around you and your dog more than when you are using a 6' lead. I'd rather look at the scenery and birds rather than focun on Megan .
Doug
THANK YOU! The problem with the retractable leash is that the dog controls where he/she goes and is in charge of the human. Dogs need to know who the pack leader is (hopefully you) and that retractable leash mpowers the dog. Also, as Doug as said, they can cause injury to both the human and dog.
dturm wrote: I agree that it is the moron on the handle of the retractable, but the dog are great at learning things and most that are not trained assume/learn that they are free to do what they want when they want when attached to the retractable.
Many use the retractable to get around the leash laws.
Retractable leashes have been discussed during several threads, and most of you know my position. I've seen serious injury to animals and people due to rope burns and bite wounds due to lack of control.
In the right hands, I'd have to admit that they're OK, but you have to pay attention to what is going on around you and your dog more than when you are using a 6' lead. I'd rather look at the scenery and birds rather than focun on Megan .
Doug
THANK YOU! The problem with the retractable leash is that the dog controls where he/she goes and is in charge of the human. Dogs need to know who the pack leader is (hopefully you) and that retractable leash mpowers the dog. Also, as Doug as said, they can cause injury to both the human and dog.
Be in control of yur dog, get a 6' leather leash!
You are plain wrong! You have confused the problem as one of being two types of materials (leads/leashes) as opposed to the operator (human) on the controlling end. I always TRAIN my dogs using a 6' lead. After they are trained, I frequently use the flexi-lead. If I'm approaching or being approached by either a person or a person with a dog, the flexi-lead is drawn tight - to much less than 6' to allow me to determine the intentions of those who approach me.
My whole point is you are confusing the issue as to who/what is to blame. Quit trying to spread hysteria by spreading blame on an inanimate object.
I completely agree with dgo1369! Let's put the blame where it belongs, WITH THE OWNER. Don't try to blame an inanimate object. If the object is used improperly, it's still the responsibility of the owner. Please, be a responsible owner!
"But officer, my car LIKES to go fast!"
(No joke. I heard it again yesterday during a traffic stop. Seeshhh.)
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wayne_tw wrote: Those retractable leashes are part of the problem. They should be outlawed, and any responsible dog owner does not own one. If you do, then you are not a responsible dog owner, and part of the problem!!!!!
We have them ,, so we are not responsible according to you?
I think we are, anytime people or dogs come near we pull them in, and in some cases pick up the little dogs. The bulldog we don't.
Tell me why this makes us irresponsible? According to you?
Its not the leash but the people holding it.
Also the dogs have been and ae still in obedience(the bulldog)who is excelling and may get a title.
But again its who is holding the lease.
* This post was
edited 04/22/08 01:18pm by litew8t *
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I am not against the tractable leash. But I will not use one myself. I hike on trails that have a lot of curves. Before you could retract the leash the mountain bike, jogger, hiker, or dog would already be there( not to mention Mountain Lion). When I see someone else on the trail I make my dog do a sit stay. It is good training for her, and joggers and mountain bikers are very appreciative seeing she is under control.
I am a big dog owner (2 male German Shepherds). Even with the stigma that German Shepherds have – that being the big/mean/bad dog – I am always amazed at how often people will let their little dogs run up to my dogs without warning or permission.
My dogs are very rarely out of my control. There has been an occasion or two during the training periods of youth, but I work really hard with my dogs mainly because I enjoy the process of training but also because a well-trained dog is just plain awesome company. Yet, should a little dog (or dogs – since they often come in pairs) attack my dog before I could intervene, the damage my dog(s) would inflict would no doubt be severe. Who do you suppose gets the blame for that? Even though the little dogs provoked the situation, the big dog would get the bad wrap when all parties were just being dogs, doing what dogs do.
Flexi-leads are an awesome training tool but with a dog over a certain weight, they become useless as a control mechanism. Even then – as I mentioned in the first thread that I once had a Maltese that, with enough slack in a leash, could hog-tie me in seconds flat.
The bottom line – and I think we all agree – is that the owner of dog big or small has a responsibility to control an animal that they have chosen expose to the public.
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