Retractable Dog Leash Dangers

Retractable dog leashes have become popular since they were introduced in the 1980s. Some leashes unwind to a length of more than 30 feet, which gives the dog some room to wander. But these leashes should be used with caution.

  1. Burns

    • If the leash cord wraps around of a person or a dog, and the leash is retracted or the dog begins to run, it causes a nasty burn or even amputations.

    Blind Corners

    • The leash cannot be let out to its fullest length in cities or near traffic. The dog can go around a parked car or a corner where the walker cannot see, and the dog can wind up injured or killed.

    Falling Apart

    • Retractable dog leashes have been known to break apart suddenly, causing pieces to become airborne. According to ABC News, a 12-year-old girl was blinded in one eye in this way in 2008.

    Training

    • Retractable leashes are not recommended for puppies by Liz Palika, author of "The KISS Guide to Raising a Puppy." Because of the great length of the lead, the puppy never learns to heel or to stop pulling on the lead.

    Size

    • According to Consumer Reports, there were 16,547 reported injuries to people from dog leashes in 2007. It is unknown how many of those involved retractable leashes.