Anonymous wrote:My lab usually walks well with an Easy Walk harness but she tends to pull hard when she sees another dog or animal. Someone recommended a retractable leash. I searched online and found many people think the retractable leash is not safe for large dogs. Could you share your experience with me if you ever used a retractable leash on a large dog? TIA

totally dangerous for YOU. It can slice off your fingers. I know a guy this happened with; the dog wasn't even considered a large dog (more like medium/large)

FLEXI Giant Retractable Dog Leash https://a.co/d/1W3X4Gf

^^. Strong, durable, & can extend very far, when needed

Our German shepherd snapped her retractable leash (DH said she she got excited by a bird nearby, suddenly made a break for it and the thing snapped). She isn’t all that big either (60ish pounds). It was no big deal- DH just called her back and she walked with him back to the car. But obviously this could be dangerous for the dog or others/other animals if a dog doesn’t have training and recall down. I’m not sure if a leash snapping like that is typical (maybe DH bought one that was not strong enough or something?) but I won’t use the retractable leashes anymore after hearing that.

Thank you for the great info!

For my very strong (and headstrong) Lab, who is incredibly interested in all dogs and all people regardless of treats and training, I use a harness and a regular leash with a traffic control loop/traffic handle.

I use a Freedom No Pull Harness from 2 Hounds Design. The name is a misnomer -- honestly my dog will still pull no matter what harness (or Halti) I've tried -- but I use the back clip as a safety measure because clipping a leash to her collar is a bad idea because she will pull through the pain of choking on her collar (non-prong, just regular collar). She could care less about the deterrent effect of the harness pulling around her chest, but it is safer and gives me better control when she pulls.

https://2houndsdesign.com/product-category/freedom-no-pull-harness/

I have the two-clip leash from them as well but have had better luck with this leash:

https://www.amazon.com/Max-Double-Handle-Traffic-Reflective/dp/B019YPYG38?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1

Because I can use two hands and grab the loop closest to the harness for best control.

I was chatting with a friend who had his terrier on a retractable leash. His terrier took off after another dog and the leash clotheslined me across my forehead. It really hurt.

Yeah, not a fan of retractable leashes.

NO.

Check out the freedom harness. I won’t pile on the retractable leash hate, but agree with everything. They can also cause a dog to run away if you lose control of the leash as the handle effectively chases the dog away.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever recommended a retractable leash as a solution to a large dog pulling is not someone you should take advice from. Labs are very strong and yours is "pulling hard" - what do they think the leash will do, snap him back to you? It just means you can keep it at a shorter or longer length. But they're structurally weaker than traditional leashes and you would be setting yourself up for failure if you ever used the longer length because that's when the dog would see another dog/animal and you'd have even less control because he's 15 feet away instead of 6.

TBH even when I see people with little dogs on a retractable leash I assume they're inexperienced or incompetent dog owners.

This.

+100

+1,000! (Sorry, but it's true.)

Retractables are the worst!

I really like the leashes that have a second hands a few inches above the neck. Holding on that gives you immediate control over a larger dog. I keep the main handlei in my right hand and grab the closer handle with my left if he starts to pull.

Anonymous wrote:A retractable leash is the exact opposite if what you should do. You need a short, fixed leash, and you need better control over your dog.

Retractable leashes are horrible for all dogs, regardless of size.

This. Get a chest clip harness. It helps with pulling. And work on training. Retractable leashes are very dangerous and certainly not good for a large dog who pulls!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Whoever recommended a retractable leash as a solution to a large dog pulling is not someone you should take advice from. Labs are very strong and yours is "pulling hard" - what do they think the leash will do, snap him back to you? It just means you can keep it at a shorter or longer length. But they're structurally weaker than traditional leashes and you would be setting yourself up for failure if you ever used the longer length because that's when the dog would see another dog/animal and you'd have even less control because he's 15 feet away instead of 6.

TBH even when I see people with little dogs on a retractable leash I assume they're inexperienced or incompetent dog owners.

This.

+100

Get a Gentle Leader for your dog. It corrects the behavior, because when the dog pulls, the device turns the dog's head to the side, which they don't like.

Anonymous wrote:Whoever recommended a retractable leash as a solution to a large dog pulling is not someone you should take advice from. Labs are very strong and yours is "pulling hard" - what do they think the leash will do, snap him back to you? It just means you can keep it at a shorter or longer length. But they're structurally weaker than traditional leashes and you would be setting yourself up for failure if you ever used the longer length because that's when the dog would see another dog/animal and you'd have even less control because he's 15 feet away instead of 6.

TBH even when I see people with little dogs on a retractable leash I assume they're inexperienced or incompetent dog owners.

FWIW, I have a 10 lb dog that I have started walking on a retractable leash. But she has years of training and is used to walking off leash with recall. In this new area we are in I am respectful that people don't want to see a dog off leash. She is trained to sit when she sees another dog or person, sits at crosswalks, regardless of leash or no leash. The retractable gives her a bit more freedom, but also is respectful of others. I would never walk off leash or with a tractable with a dog that isn't highly trained.