Surgeons warn of serious hand injuries from dog leads and collars

Cath

Cath

MLF Sales Coordinator
I am not sure if this should go here or not, but I think people need to read this.

Warning over 'severe' dog lead injuries

@snowbunny ETA: Warning - there is a pretty graphic picture of a messed-up finger in the above article, so don't open if you're sensitive to that sort of thing!
 
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MrChew

MrChew

snowbunny said:
I'm afraid this just made me roll my eyes. Everything's dangerous. Things happen.

Use a retractable instead? Hmm, yeah, because that makes everyone safer.... |(
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Totally agree. Using a normal lead is a pretty low risk activity!

I find the wrapping leads around hands really uncomfortable and annoying. My OH does it, I suspect because he was taught to walk dogs in a house where the dogs got 0 training and pull constantly.

I much prefer having a couple of different length leads, with nice cushiony handles. I hold the handle and then just grab further down when I need to. Never feel like I am going to lose Chewie and I have NEVER seen the need for a retractable lead. Maybe if he walked absolutely perfectly (lol). He has a little beagle friend whose owners insist on walking him on a retractable. This dog is lovely, but wild and constantly getting the lead wrapped around trees and people. They let him pull out loads of slack walking on the roadside. I really hope he never gets hurt!
 
snowbunny

snowbunny

Location
Andorra and Spain
I probably sound like I'm totally anti-retractable from my comment above. Actually, I don't like retractables for a multitude of reasons, but they have their place for some people and their dogs when used responsibly. My sister and parents use them, and they work for what they want. But the article hinted that they were safer than standard leads, and that's not true; they just have different potential dangers. Just because you're less likely to skin your finger while using one, it doesn't mean it's safer.

I did chuckle at the quote where she said she's back mountain climbing and even dog walking, like that's some extreme sport :cwl:
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
I read the dumbed down version of this story on the Daily Mail this morning (I know, it's my worst vice along with ice cream) and my immediate thought was whoever wrote it had never walked a dog because who in their right mind would recommend Flexi leads as safe? I'm going to be less PC than @snowbunny and say that I hate those things with a passion. I hate them even more than drag lines - for those I can at least see a training purpose.

I have wrapped leashes around my hands when walking very wild shelter dogs that pull like trains. It's not fun but sometimes the only way I thought I could be sure that I wouldn't lose the dog. I used to say that they dog may get away from me but only if my arm ripped off from my shoulder. I wore gloves, but it still hurt. Not sure if there IS a safer alternative.
 
Boogie

Boogie

Moderator
Location
Manchester UK
We used to have a canal boat - so being careful with ropes and hands was a big lesson to learn well, having three tons on the end of the rope does concentrate the mind! This has translated into my use of leads.

:nod:
 
Shaz82

Shaz82

Location
Essex, U.K.
I didn't read the article as I am squeamish but I get the idea.

Flexi leads are horrible but do have their place. I use one when we are somewhere different (holidays) in the country so Maisy has a bit of freedom to do the whirly thing when finding somewhere to go toilet. But I would say they are far more dangerous than a normal lead, I have got my finger caught in them loads of times, nearly took the top of once, and get caught up in other peoples all the time. Maisy is good on a normal lead but retractable leads encourage her to pull and get that bit further, and you have absolutely no control of an excited dog on them.

Like many things these days, people need to use common sense with use. Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be as much of that around as there used to be. Maybe we should put pictures of mangled hands on the lead packaging like they do with cigarette packets! Use at your own risk!
 
SwampDonkey

SwampDonkey

Don't like flexi leads because....ive had cuts from f**kwits letting their dogs wrap me up my frail 89 year old FIL was knocked unconscious and taken to a&e with a skull fracture because a d**k couldn't control his dog on a busy pavement with one. I had Rory attacked by a savage dog on a flexi lead whose owner is half soaked and could control the length of lead quickly enough.
They give some folks a false sense of security and the don't watch what there dogs are up to. The amount of times I've seen idiots walking their dogs with them attached to head collars and none stopped gundog type leads is just staggering. They don't understand physics at all or the damage they are doing to the dog. People often don't get the extent theyve let the lead out on busy main roads and the dog wanders into the road.they make me shudder.
I use a ten foot long lead and a 20 footer when I need one.
I also find using one very difficult the handles and stop buttons are not easy to use quickly so reaction time is slowed.
I know plenty of people use one and are careful and use them with harnesses and are safe. I've seen people using them on here and they are being used to give dogs freedom in safety and in areas were dogs must be on leads. That's seems ok but I know those dogs are well trained responsive dogs and are their owners are careful and they are on these leads because of local laws. Were I live flexi leads just seem to be an excuse not to train your dog and let it cause problems. The garrotte wire flexis are deadly the tapes are better but still not for me.
 
Charlie

Charlie

Location
Argyll & Bute, Scotland
The first thing we were taught at puppy training was do not wrap the lead around your hand or wrist. I hate flexi leads, I have had so many wrapped around my legs it's an accident waiting to happen. I am actually thinking of carrying a small pair of sissors in my treat bag and the next time some idiot wraps one round my legs I am going to cut it into a zillion pieces. I have never seen anyone use one correctly if there is a correct way. Dogs way ahead on pavements just waiting to run into the road it's frightening. How on earth do these owners think they have control. They are in my opinion the worst thing to happen to the dog world. I wish owners would just train their dogs or use a long line. We used one for 3 years with Charlie as we wouldn't entertain a flexi lead. xx
 
Emily_Babbelhund

Emily_Babbelhund

Mama Red HOT Pepper
Location
Regensburg, Germany
SwampDonkey said:
Don't like flexi leads because....ive had cuts from f**kwits letting their dogs wrap me up my frail 89 year old FIL was knocked unconscious and taken to a&e with a skull fracture because a d**k couldn't control his dog on a busy pavement with one. I had Rory attacked by a savage dog on a flexi lead whose owner is half soaked and could control the length of lead quickly enough.
They give some folks a false sense of security and the don't watch what there dogs are up to. The amount of times I've seen idiots walking their dogs with them attached to head collars and none stopped gundog type leads is just staggering. They don't understand physics at all or the damage they are doing to the dog. People often don't get the extent theyve let the lead out on busy main roads and the dog wanders into the road.they make me shudder.
I use a ten foot long lead and a 20 footer when I need one.
I also find using one very difficult the handles and stop buttons are not easy to use quickly so reaction time is slowed.
I know plenty of people use one and are careful and use them with harnesses and are safe. I've seen people using them on here and they are being used to give dogs freedom in safety and in areas were dogs must be on leads. That's seems ok but I know those dogs are well trained responsive dogs and are their owners are careful and they are on these leads because of local laws. Were I live flexi leads just seem to be an excuse not to train your dog and let it cause problems. The garrotte wire flexis are deadly the tapes are better but still not for me.
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Exactly. (y)
 
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