Retractable leashes, those plastic handle things that many dog owners use, are really dangerous. I am affiliated with a rescue group who has observed several instances of the owner dropping the handle, the dog being frightened by the handle hitting the ground, and the dog taking off. The lucky ones find their way back home. Also, the cord can and has taken off more than one fingertip as an owner tried to grab it when dropped.
For training, these are horrible. The dog does not learn boundaries or how to behave on leash. A former neighbor of mine would let her little pug run out of her apartment on that stupid retractable leash when she had NO idea who or what was outside the door. More than once, the dog ran into the roadway and/or ran to my dogs and wrapped the cord around their legs. The dog was sweet, but it never learned any manners.
When I received my first dog (received because she was a birthday gift), I was one of those people who thought retractables were a good idea.....until my dog nearly choked herself trying to run after a squirrel.
My advice, walk with your dog (good for you and them) and teach them manners and break your retractable leash.
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