A Warning To Our Customers and Clients:
Hazards of Retractable/Flexi-Leashes

We here at the Mutt Hutt love what we do and care deeply for the animals that you entrust to us. It is with this motivation that we are compelled to issue this important information to you regarding retractable and flexi-leashes. We also request that any of our clients who use these leads consider switching to a flat leash such as nylon, leather, or any other standard woven material. Why all the hubbub over retractable leashes? We’ll tell you why:

It has recently come to our attention that a dog who frequently came to the Mutt Hutt has met a most unfortunate and untimely end while on a walk; its owner had it on a retractable leash. What’s worse is that this is not the first time it has happened to a client of Mutt Hutt’s. While this has never happened on the watch of a Mutt Hutt dog walker, the dangers of these leads do not discriminate.

It has been widely reported that the use of retractable or flexi-leads (which is a familiar brand name) can cause great injury to the dog and owner (falling, cord burns, and even finger amputation), and even sadder can lead to the death of your beloved animal. A USA Today piece written in 2009 titled, Beware the Potential Dangers of Retractable Leashes by Sharon Peters details most of the things that can go wrong with these leads. In addition to rope-lock mechanism failure, possible entanglements with other leashes or dogs, and rope fraying and breakage, user failure ranks at the top of the list of things that can go wrong.

Imagine a dog that has a 15 foot lead on its walker, turning a blind corner and getting hit by an oncoming car or bicycle. Or perhaps the dog on a flexi-lead seeing another dog and taking off in its direction, causing a fight and the owner not being able to retract the leash in time to avoid serious harm to either dog. These are just two possible situations. Peters said it best when she wrote in her article:

“Unfortunately, until something awful happens — or almost happens — we're consumed only with the notion that the dog has more freedom, that it can sniff at will and cover more ground than on a four-foot leash. We don't always think ahead to how bad things can get when a dog has a head start of three seconds and 15 feet.”

So we must ask that you, our clients, reconsider the use of retractable leashes. If you use our dog walking service, please either leave flat leashes that the walker can use, or allow the walker to use their own flat lead while taking your pet for its scheduled outing. We have only you and your pooch in mind with this request, and wish happy (and safe!) trails to you.