How do you rate the extendable leads?

[Alec Swan]

Btw the police use long leads and harnesses ........

Tracker dogs, when working, have no restrictions asked of them. Tracker dogs have complete freedom and are never expected to be compliant. The tracking line, which is attached to the harness, which I suspect is what you're referring to, is a simple means of remaining in contact with the dog, and nothing to do with the discipline of a 'lead', or of going for a walk.

Alec.

 

[Alec Swan]

alec, I am sorry but you have given the impression that you are an expert and anyone who has problems with a dog is a numpty. ........ ..

I've never stated that I'm an expert, because I'm not, and though I've never implied or considered that others are 'numpties', I will admit to a failure to understand why it is that just because I don't happen to agree with you, you need to turn your argument in to one which is accusatory and aggressive.

Alec.

 

[Alec Swan]

He might prefer to live outside but i cant believe he prefers to live on a chain?! Off subject i know.

Were you able to watch and also accept his frustrations of being enclosed in a kennel, then you would understand. Few working collies actually get the choice, but just why working collies should seem to prefer being on a chain, I can't say, but again having watched the same dogs, shut in a kennel, or on a chain, then their behaviour patterns change, and for the better, when they're chained. There are a great many Sheepdog Triallers who would agree with me, considering just how many keep dogs I see that live on chains. I'd never put any other dog on a chain, and I can't explain the apparent preference.

Alec.

 

[NinjaPony]

Personally I would never use a flexi on a road, I have heard of the lock failing on more than one occasion, it's a 2 second job to swap to a normal lead for road work.

I understand your concern, but I always have a hand on the actual lead as well as the handle just in case, plus I don't tend to road walk that often. But you do raise a good point, so it's something I might consider doing.

 

[paisley]

If its a question of control, I prefer the whippet in a harness attached to an extra long horsey lead rope.
This is based purely on an evenings walk up Thorpe Cloud where an unexpected bunny resulted in several 360 degree twirls and an alarming loss of balance on my part.
I'm fairly sure the newspaper headline would have been 'Woman dies rolling down hill, dog survives'

 

[SadKen]

I wouldn't use a flexi; friends of ours use them for their springer crosses, and have no control at all to the point where one has cut his paws rooting through undergrowth, and they've nearly tripped us a few times.

I do have a halti though. I used it on big lad when I finally got sick of him pulling me. Two weeks, it's never been on him again. I took little one on holiday this weekend, and I have a blister from him pulling me to Stonehenge and back; I've got the halti out again, and I fully expect it to be back in the cupboard in two weeks.

My little one is an angel off lead, great recall, good heel etc - it's just not always possible or appropriate to have him off lead, and currently he sees it as a challenge to strain against. I've tried everything I can think of, and the halti is the last weapon in the arsenal! I'm saddened that I've got to, but if it works as a tool to teach him, I'll use it.

 

[splashgirl45]

I've never stated that I'm an expert, because I'm not, and though I've never implied or considered that others are 'numpties', I will admit to a failure to understand why it is that just because I don't happen to agree with you, you need to turn your argument in to one which is accusatory and aggressive.

Alec.

, I don't feel I have been aggressive but find that you don't seem to see other points of view and your posts are not always pleasant( in my view) but I have never previously responded and only post if I feel I have a relevant point of view or can help someone . there are lots of different ways to train and manage animals and there is room for all as long as they are not cruel to the animal...so let us agree to differ on this one...

 

[reddie]

In my opinion, they have their place. Our two dogs have excellent recall, so if walking in fields, woods etc , they are both off lead. I use ordinary leads when on roads. I looked after my sister's jrt for a week recently. This dog will run off at any given opportunity if she's in that mood. My sister can walk her off lead as she lives in the middle of the countryside, with few roads. When I walked her with our dogs, I used a flexi lead, I couldn't take the chance of her running off esp as she did not know the area. The flexi lead gave her the opportunity to sniff, trot about at her pace so it was useful.

 

[enchantedunicorn]

Personally I wouldn't recommend one - I didn't find the extendable line very strong as it snapped and my dog ran across a road! He is not a big dog either . . .