Dog Training Cedar City: My thoughts on "Satan's Yarn" AKA the Retractable Leash

Scroll to the bottom if you are short on time or attention span and just want to see which product I recommend. :D

In the steaming pit of the internet dog world, one of the most heated topics you'll encounter is that of the infamous retractable leash. It is so heated, in fact, today I saw this tool lovingly nicknamed "Satan's Yarn." I get it- this tool can be really dangerous and can even result in the loss of life of a person or especially a dog. Spend even five minutes going down the rabbit hole watching videos or reels of various mishaps and you'll understand what all of the hype is about: dogs getting way too far from their owners and starting dog fights or harassing people, dogs getting tangled in signs/bushes/trees/wet cement or tar/traps/other dogs/people etc, dogs getting "clotheslined" in traffic or by cyclists, retractable leashes getting busted apart when dogs hit the end of the line, people's eyes getting put out when a line breaks and snaps back into their face, people letting go of the handle and having the casing slam into their dog and break a bone (or scare the crap out of the dog and send them flying into traffic), and even dogs that somehow rushed off an apartment balcony or cliff and hung themselves (happened to a personal friend of mine). I was even personally injured by such a leash by my own dog when he dashed toward something exciting while I was talking on the phone and not paying attention, and I reacted by instinctively grabbing the line- talk about rope burn!! If you've bothered to read even this far, you are probably wondering why anyone would dare use a tool with so many risks!

But here's the deal- I've personally seen just as many mishaps with just about any kind of equipment imaginable. Here are just a few real examples of mishaps with no retractable leash in sight! Probably the least serious was a new handler using a "safer" traditional long line, the end of which somehow got wrapped around her leg as her dog bolted, skinning her ankle all the way around and pulling her to the ground. In another situation, a brand new client was pulled to the ground by her medium sized reactive dog who was wearing a harness and regular 6 foot leash on session one while I was only doing an assessment (don't worry, she was totally fine!). Yet another time, I was training a dog at the university when out of nowhere, a stranger nearby somehow lost control of her very small terrier mix on a slip lead and without any warning whatsoever he ran up and bit me very firmly on my calf. Perhaps the most serious incident I ever witnessed was as I was driving to an appointment: a dog being walked on Main Street on a simple flat collar and standard leash suddenly lunged out into fast moving traffic and was pulverized. I pulled over immediately to assist, but by that point there was nothing that could be done because the dog had very severe brain damage and died within minutes. This is just a sample of the many mishaps I have witnessed with dogs generally because, well, dogs will be dogs and more importantly people will be people. 

See, the problem here is with people, not with tools. Literally any tool on the planet can be misunderstood, misused, and even abused. If you have been around for a while, you have probably heard me say, "The most abused dog training tool on the planet is a flat collar and leash set." And although some tools have a greater impact or risk when they are misused, I still stand by this statement because this is the bare minimum equipment that any dog is likely to have- and take it from me, most people have no clue about dog handling, which is why I have a full time job in dog training & behavior modification. People who make bad choices with retractable leashes are ultimately still going to have the same problems with anything else- they are still going to be reactive (vs proactive) handlers, walk their dogs while looking at their phones, or best of all- not have their dog on any equipment at all with no recall and no control. Probably the most rampant "problem equipment" I currently see day to day is the back clip harness, where people just don't understand why Fluffy is still dragging them down the street- make no mistake, this equipment is designed to encourage pulling!

I'm tempted to say, "When used correctly, the retractable leash can be a wonderful tool." However, what is "correct" is going to depend on who you ask. Some trainers will say that the retractable should only be used with already trained dogs. Others will tell you that the retractable should only be used for hiking, when there is no one and nothing else around. Many trainers will confirm that the retractable is indeed "Satan's Yarn" and every single one should be thrown in the trash where they belong.

I think I'd like to settle with, "The retractable leash can be a wonderful tool. There are times when it is useful and/or appropriate, and times when it isn't." I'd even be bold enough to say that trainers who say "always" or "never" in terms of this kind of equipment may not be very skilled or experienced trainers. So much depends on the dog and the handler.

Personally, I use the retractable leash in my everyday practice, although how it is used is too nuanced to describe here and lies outside of the scope of the point I am trying to make. You can use the retractable to teach all kinds of skills from scratch as well as use it for everyday walking and adventuring. When I suggest equipment to a dog owner, that suggestion is highly personalized. I think that no matter what people use, it should be the highest quality available to keep them and their dog safe and ensure an optimal user experience. You get what you pay for, which is why in my practice I use only the best!

To date, the retractable leash that most fits my criteria is the *Flexi Giant 26ft. It has screws in the casing that will keep it together in the case of an impact or force applied to the tape, which is durable and thick. Flexi brand has a great reputation! Avoid any retractable leash that is off-brand or cheap, or has a "cord" style leash. You want to make sure that the stopping mechanism that holds the tape when you press the button is very strong and responsive. Always get the heaviest weight that your dog can handle. Personally, I use this XL Giant model for every dog I work with unless they are under 25 lbs.

Remember, it's the fool, not the tool! Know what you are doing when you choose tools for your dog. This tool is not a one-size fits all option. The best leash for your dog is going to depend on where you are, what is happening in that environment, what you are doing, and your dog's behavior. If you are not sure of the best way to use any tool, involve your dog trainer.

Here are three simple rules that can keep you and your dog safe while using a Flexi:

1. Never grab the tape

2. Avoid letting your dog run full speed and hit the end of the line- but if it cannot be avoided, hold the handle against your solar plexus with one hand and brace the front of the casing with the other

3. Never "drive distracted"- when you are using a retractable, keep your phone put away and be aware of your surroundings with attention to potential problems.

   
   

Another great safety tip is to have your dog on an "agitation" collar (this just means a very wide collar, for example 2 inches for larger dogs) to protect their neck from potential impact during training. If you are a "leash grabber," try using a pair of mechanics gloves until you break the habit.

I'd love to show you all that is possible with this incredible tool! If you need assistance with your Flexi, don't hesitate to reach out!

*As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission for products purchased through this link.