Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Barkley is like 42lbs and we want to take him to the beach but i feel bad when he on the short leash..

I want to get a retractable leash but so afraid if he runs or something it will snap. then i will loose my mind.

Any ladies who have big dogs who use a retractable leash?

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

They have different weight ratings, so you'd be fine as long as it is specified for more than your dog's weight for when he pulls.

When I bought one for my 60 lb previous dog, the choices were Medium for up to 45lbs or Large up to 110 lbs.. I went with large, and since Barkley is so close to the medium weight maximum I would recommend getting the Large to be safe.

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

I dont think they leash will snap if you get one for the correct weight. I used to use one with Maggie - who is almost 60 pounds. I found the handle difficult to hold. One day she ran ahead a bit too fast and pulled the handle right out of my hand.

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

I swear to you, my dachshund pulled on the large one so hard that he broke it. My friend calls him Bruiser . Having a very long leash length is not very fair to other people who can get stuck in the way so I didn't like that solution anyway.

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

That's the only thing I use my (2) Large retractable leashes for - walks on park trails and on beaches. Brinkley is 65 pounds and Ginger is 75. I always extend the entire leash and check it for snags or weak spots. So far so good.

However... you could have the best of both worlds. A retractable leash can be a great training tool! For the beach & parks, I bring a regular whistle with me and when they are almost to the end of the leash (26 feet), I blow the whistle and as soon as they stop and make eye contact, I use the hand signal I already taught them and say COME! Whoever gets there first gets a high-value treat. Usually mozzarella cheese sticks sliced up.

Brinkley has graduated to being completely off leash (in approved areas!) and still responding to verbal signals, hand signals, and the whistle. It took time and consistency but we practice everywhere, with all distractions. The dog park, the vet's office, desolate parks and fields. He's back to being on leash all the time though because Ginger can't be trusted off leash and it's unfair to have one on and one off.

If we meet up with people or other dogs on our walks, I always call them back to me and keep them in a six foot range.

Good luck!!

Message edited 5/27/2010 9:37:04 AM.

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Posted by greenfreak

That's the only thing I use my (2) Large retractable leashes for - walks on park trails and on beaches. Brinkley is 65 pounds and Ginger is 75. I always extend the entire leash and check it for snags or weak spots. So far so good.

However... you could have the best of both worlds. A retractable leash can be a great training tool! For the beach & parks, I bring a regular whistle with me and when they are almost to the end of the leash (26 feet), I blow the whistle and as soon as they stop and make eye contact, I use the hand signal I already taught them and say COME! Whoever gets there first gets a high-value treat. Usually mozzarella cheese sticks sliced up.

Brinkley has graduated to being completely off leash (in approved areas!) and still responding to verbal signals, hand signals, and the whistle. It took time and consistency but we practice everywhere, with all distractions. The dog park, the vet's office, desolate parks and fields. He's back to being on leash all the time though because Ginger can't be trusted off leash and it's unfair to have one on and one off.

If we meet up with people or other dogs on our walks, I always call them back to me and keep them in a six foot range.

Good luck!!

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

This should help.

I have two of these in different colors. I tried the one that's extra large and it was SO heavy. You can get them a lot of different sellers, Amazon too, but make sure the length of the lead, color, and the dog weight is right. I don't depend on the pictures, some of them don't look right!

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Posted by greenfreak

This should help.

I have two of these in different colors. I tried the one that's extra large and it was SO heavy. You can get them a lot of different sellers, Amazon too, but make sure the length of the lead, color, and the dog weight is right. I don't depend on the pictures, some of them don't look right!

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

check walmart and target!

I got the same leash at Walmart for $20

Re: Big dogs + Retractable Dog Leads.. Safe?

Retractable leads are never safe, period. If you grab that lead in an emergency it will give you the most wicked rope burn of your life. It will just saw through your hand. They can also become tangled around legs & cause terrible rope burn/ cuts.
Just get a 15 or 20 old fashioned leash. It's not convent but it's so much safer.