Is the flexi leash really that bad?
You hear it again and again. The so-called flexi lead or pull-out lead is an absolute no-go for ambitious dog owners. But is a flexi lead really as bad as everyone says? As always, we need to take a more nuanced look and approach the topic logically and soberly.
Repeated
As is so often the case in the dog world, this topic is repeated and parroted by many trainers and dog owners. No one takes the trouble to examine this topic thoroughly to see if it is true. The most frequently cited argument against the flexi lead is that the dog learns to pull by constantly pulling on the lead. But is this really true?
The dog does not learn to pull on the lead through the flexi lead
The issue of walking on a lead does not really have much to do with pulling on the lead. Rather, it is about a meaningful and understandable explanation for the dog and clear and binding communication. This means that without communication, a dog will pull forward on any lead. Regardless of whether it is a short, long or flexi lead.
Since a dog does not learn that it should not pull, but where it should run, the lead does not play a direct role.
The sense and nonsense of a pull-out lead
So does a flexi lead make sense? Not in every case. The pull-out lead should not be the first choice for an ambitious dog owner. You can certainly use it for short walks where you don't really want to practise or work on anything. Or if the dog is already very well trained and must be kept on a lead.
Trailing lead as a top tool
However, if you want to practise properly, the trailing lead is clearly the preferred choice. This means that on a longer walk, for example, where you want to work on recall or off-leash walking, a 10 m drag line makes more sense than a flexi line. Handling is easier and more effective. You have more feeling, can work more precisely and can also drop the leash if necessary.
A flexi leash has its justification
A flexi leash therefore has its justification and I also like to use it regularly with my training dogs for short walks and in certain phases of training.
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