Which model of flexi leash should I get?

Im sure this point has been covered in the thread, but just please please make sure you are not running a puppy on pavement for really any amount of time, their joints and tendons can not handle it, its fine for a puppy to run but the general rule here is only in sprints while they are still growing no serious running....The damage it will cause for the rest of the life just isnt worth not waiting out several months!

ohh heck who am I kidding you wont see me running either:lol:
 
Lacey'sMamma said:
I honestly don't see the danger in taking lacey for a rollerblade... except for running her over and thats why i have the harness to jerk her out of the way, and she knows to stay far away because I have hit her before and she has learnt.
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That's exactly the point. The biggest danger in running a young puppy is something that you can't see. Maybe you missed the posts where people explained the physiological damage that can be done because her bone structure is not yet mature. Even if she is at her full height/size, her bones are still soft and not yet calloused on the ends where the joints connect. The damage that can be done by prolonged running on hard surfaces can't be repaired. That is why agility trainers are very careful with puppies and don't allow them to jump anything over about 4 inches until they are 12-18 months old, depending on the breed.

There are safe uses for flexi-leads, but I personally don't think rollerblading is one of them. If I were going to rollerblade with my dog on lead then it would be on a 6 foot leash maximum and with a dog that is physically mature and has a good recall. If the dog stopped suddenly, I would drop the leash and go back to the dog, and I would want to be certain that the dog would come to me when called 100% of the time.

It's really not as big of a deal as you people make it. You should take your dogs and try it, your really missing out and so are your dogs. Its a great way to bond, stay fit and have fun with your dogs!
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There are many ways to bond, stay fit and have fun with a dog, but I want to be able to enjoy my dog for a lifetime. Thirty minutes of thrill on rollerblades isn't worth running the risk of crippling my dog and it would be selfish of me to pretend otherwise.

No one on this forum wants anything less for you than a lifetime of fun and health with your puppy.
 
I cannot recommend flexi's as it is a horrible, little spaghetti string which gives you no control and has no use in training either. It really prolongs teaching a dog how to walk loosely on a leash. So the answer is no good flexi's lol

People can run with their dogs etc etc, so not sure why one couldn't also Rollerblade with her on a nice, long normal leash, and teach proper etiquette, instead of short cut which is what a flexi lead is in my opinion.

I am also not agreeing a young dog should run that hard for that long on pavement, but that has been already covered and is up to you if you feel it's safe ...
 
long normal leash, and teach proper etiquette,
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Actually, this was a point I was thinking of. I have nothing against rollerblading or riding a bike with a dog. However, teaching 'rules' for the journey are important; these would include not suddenly stopping, keeping close to me, and not suddenly crossing my path.

A lady comes to agility with a labradoodle, she bikes there, her dog trots by her side on an ordinary lead. She has obviously trained the dog to do this and she has no problem with sudden stops or darting.

One reason I wouldn't ride a bike with Cadbury is because I know he is prone to dart or suddenly stop, whatever lead I had I can envisage myself being caught out when distracted and going head over heels:lol:

But to repeat others, do be careful with joints. Hard surfaces are dreadful for growing bones. My old dance teacher only held classes in a room with wooden floors as the wood would 'give' a little under our feet. Concrete or road surfaces doesn't and this puts all the impact onto our own joints.
 
I have been using a six foot leash and she dosnt randomly stop or bolt unless its like a really good reason. Like I said when she stops and pees, I can't teach her not to do that... and when I drop the leash, she has peed on it before... gross... thats why i want the flexi. I would have the flexi about six feet long and only unlock it when she squats to pee or smells something she has to go check. I realize its not the best on her joints but she is over 6 months of age so most the growing is done and my whole house is hard wood and she runs on it all day long. Is is really THAT much different. She pulls out her harness all the time from her toy box and drops it at my feet. She really does LOVE going. As soon as we start off she barks her head off, she gets super excited.
 
Even though she over 6 months and appears to be fully grown, her bones are still soft and are settling. Her bone plates do not close until she is a year or more, so yes running on hard on cement will do damage to her joints. You may not see the damage now, but when she is older, she will be more at risk for bone injuries and arthritis at a young age, which of course will shorten her time competing in agility.

IMO no dog is 100% reliable. She may go months without running in front of you and one day out of no where something will catch her eye. All it takes is one second for you to accidentally run her over and your pup can be permanently injured.

No matter how many people tell you how dangerous rollerblading with your pup is for her body and her safety, it is clear you are not going to listen. So, I advise you to walk your dog before you rollerblade. Make sure she pees and poops beforehand. This way she won't stop suddenly to go to the bathroom.
 
I will probably be brow beaten for admiting that I use a flexi lead just when walking Vash.

I don't have a fenced in yard, so the most freedom Vash gets outside of puppy day-camp is with a long lead. Initially I was using a 20ft training lead but Vash walked over it, peed on it, drug it behind him on the side walks, it got pretty unsanitary. And after a few washes it wasn't really safe to take him out on the leash because it was frayed and not even duct tape could save it.

After my 3rd training lead I just decided to go with a flexi lead. This has had good and bad side effects. The good is that the flexi lead doesn't get as nasty and frayed as the training lead. The bad is that you do not have nearly as much control over your pup. I am constantly adjusting the length of the flexi on the fly and when people walk by me on the side walk I often have to reel Vash in like I'm a fisherman. The other downside is that Vash seems to pull more now than he ever did on the standard leash.

The most irritating issue is that if you have to pull your pup back on his leash for his saftey while the lead is extended you have to grab the rope and yoink on it with your hand, this is rather painful for you especially if your dog is on the other end pulling.

And it tends to get stuck in places that normal leads would not. The other day I was walking Vash and he decided to sniff a fire hydrant, somehow the lead got caught up in the chain link around the hydrant and I spent a few min having to get it out.

That said, make an informed decision about what you believe is best for you and your pup. By now you've read all the warnings, and hopefully my post will give you more of a hands on type of perspective of what using one is like. If you still want a flexi lead then just about any will do, I think Costco has a little kit that has a flexi leash, the flashlight attachment and a harness if i recall for about $25.

I would simply caution you to be cautious while rollerblading with your pup on one. All your pup needs to do is get himself wrapped around a pole and next thing you know you'll be on your bottom the flexi lead will be retracting, and your pup will be running away from the retracting flexi lead as it heads straight for him making a heck of a racket.
 
jerros said:
I will probably be brow beaten for admiting that I use a flexi lead just when walking Vash.

I don't have a fenced in yard, so the most freedom Vash gets outside of puppy day-camp is with a long lead. Initially I was using a 20ft training lead but Vash walked over it, peed on it, drug it behind him on the side walks, it got pretty unsanitary. And after a few washes it wasn't really safe to take him out on the leash because it was frayed and not even duct tape could save it.

After my 3rd training lead I just decided to go with a flexi lead. This has had good and bad side effects. The good is that the flexi lead doesn't get as nasty and frayed as the training lead. The bad is that you do not have nearly as much control over your pup. I am constantly adjusting the length of the flexi on the fly and when people walk by me on the side walk I often have to reel Vash in like I'm a fisherman. The other downside is that Vash seems to pull more now than he ever did on the standard leash.

The most irritating issue is that if you have to pull your pup back on his leash for his saftey while the lead is extended you have to grab the rope and yoink on it with your hand, this is rather painful for you especially if your dog is on the other end pulling.

And it tends to get stuck in places that normal leads would not. The other day I was walking Vash and he decided to sniff a fire hydrant, somehow the lead got caught up in the chain link around the hydrant and I spent a few min having to get it out.

That said, make an informed decision about what you believe is best for you and your pup. By now you've read all the warnings, and hopefully my post will give you more of a hands on type of perspective of what using one is like. If you still want a flexi lead then just about any will do, I think Costco has a little kit that has a flexi leash, the flashlight attachment and a harness if i recall for about $25.

I would simply caution you to be cautious while rollerblading with your pup on one. All your pup needs to do is get himself wrapped around a pole and next thing you know you'll be on your bottom the flexi lead will be retracting, and your pup will be running away from the retracting flexi lead as it heads straight for him making a heck of a racket.
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NO, no brow beating here!! I love using flexi when out in an unfenced area with leash trained puppies. It gives them the freedom to explore without me being right on top of them but yes I still can reel them if needed!
 
Lightplum said:
NO, no brow beating here!! I love using flexi when out in an unfenced area with leash trained puppies. It gives them the freedom to explore without me being right on top of them but yes I still can reel them if needed!
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I use my flexi in the same situation. I only use it when we are in an open field or at the beach to play fetch or let Bailey run a little. I never use it to walk around my neighborhood or in a busy park.

Here's an example of how a flexi can be dangerous... which of course was my fault. :uhoh: To get to the open field, we have to walk through a park. I normally keep the flexi locked to 4 feet until we get to the field. The park was empty and Bailey really wanted to chase the ducks. She's not a fan of water, so I assumed she would just chase the ducks to the edge, which is what she has done in the past. She chased them two times and stopped when she got to the edge. However on the third chase, she took off and jumped straight into the pond. Thankfully it wasn't deep or rocky. She wasn't hurt, but was wet and stinky.

Anyway.... back to the original question, I have the comfort flexi in small. I have the cord one. I didn't know there was a tape flexi. The tape one looks safer.
 
I have used them before and I do like them but I just think mixed with jogging, biking, roller blading they would not be safe. They are great for the beach.
 
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