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Pawsitive Dog Training: Sit, Stay & Succeed
- Pawsitive Dog Training
- Mar 1
- 3 min read
March 2026
March is here, and spring has almost arrived (officially on the 20th). With the nice, sunny, and cool weather, many of us are walking our dogs more—and with that extra walking, it’s a great time to talk about the dangers of the retractable leash.
This unassuming, fun-looking leash that promises your dog “more freedom” isn’t quite what it’s cracked up to be. A quick Google search of retractable leash injuries, to both humans and dogs, may be enough to make you pause before clipping one on.
While retractable leashes do allow dogs to move farther away, they often encourage pulling. When a dog pulls ahead, they’re frequently rewarded with more leash. Dogs constantly feel tension, which can be confusing—sometimes pulling works, sometimes it doesn’t. This inconsistency can make loose-leash walking much harder to teach.
Another major concern is the lack of control. I’ve seen dogs walk around unseen corners and suddenly come nose-to-nose with another dog. Situations like this can easily escalate into altercations that could have been avoided with a standard six-foot leash.
When I worked at Petco, I regularly saw owners checking out at the registers while their dogs were outside the store at the end of retractable leashes. This led to unwanted greetings with dogs entering the store and put dogs at serious risk of injury.
The locking mechanism inside retractable leashes is another issue. These mechanisms can fail at the worst possible moment, allowing dogs to bolt into traffic—or run straight toward something unpleasant to eat or roll in.
For me, using a retractable leash to give a dog more freedom on walks is simply too risky. In this case, the cons definitely outweigh the pros.
Instead, allow your dog to enjoy sniffing on walks while still maintaining control. When appropriate, use a long line in safe, open spaces to give your dog more freedom. Long lines are easier to manage, safer, and much quicker to reel in. With retractable leashes, you’re often forced into what I call the “pull-click-pull” method just to regain control.
For true off-leash adventures in a secure environment, check out a Sniffspot.
Please consider retiring your retractable leash and choosing a traditional leash instead. It’s a safer, clearer way to enjoy your spring walks with Fido.
At the end of the day, our dogs rely on us to make safe choices for them, and safety should always come first on every walk.
Meet the Barbet!
This French water dog is a versatile hunting companion with a distinctive, muppet-like appearance. First mentioned in 16th-century manuscripts, the breed was described as joyful, intelligent, and deeply affectionate. Despite its long history and popularity, the Barbet nearly went extinct after World War II. Thanks to the dedication of ethical, preservation-focused breeders, the breed is slowly making a well-deserved comeback.
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Miss Zoey, a beautiful springer and cocker spaniel mix, is a very good girl. She is smart, easy going, and dedicated to her human family members. She oftentimes will accompany her mother, Dr. Brooklyn Bondy, to her place of work in Fountain Hills, the Dr. Bondy Headache Center. She is the official greeter and loves meeting new people.
🐾 Dog Days of March 🐾
Pet Poison Prevention Awarness Month & Canine Fitness Month
March 1 - National Welsh Corgi Day
March 1 - 7 - Professional Pet Sitters Week
March 7 - Iditarod Begins
March 13 - K9 Veterans Day
March 17 - St. Patrick's Day
March 20 - First Day of Spring
March 23 - National Puppy Day
March 25 - National Newfoundland Day
March 27 - National Terrior Day
March 28 - Pure Pawsitivity's Grand Opening in Fountain Hills, AZ
March 30 - Take a Walk in a Park Day
Would Your Dog Rather . . .
Chase a leprechaun?
Find a pot of peanut butter under a rainbow?
Great article on retractable leashes. Thank you!
Great information!