Dog walking injuries quadruple – is the retractable lead to blame?
Retractable dog leads could be behind an increase in dog walking injuries, and these leads are of particular danger to hands and fingers.
Retractable leads are thought to be the ideal way to give your dog a sense of freedom, while still having the security of being on a lead. But injuries to yourself, other walkers and your dog are a real threat. And the experts at TopDog are on a mission to educate the public on the dangers.
Johns Hopkins University researchers reported that injuries related to walking a dog on a lead in the US between 2001 and 2020 quadrupled. Analysis of data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) specifically highlights the danger to hands and fingers, a hallmark of injuries from the thin cords of retractable leads, with fingers accounting for 23% of injuries in their sample year.
“The cords of retractable leads can be really nasty if they come into contact with skin and dog behaviourists don't recommend them”, says TopDog co-owner, John Skinner.
“It’s instinctive to want to grab the extending lead if something goes wrong. But the speed at which these cord retracts can cause painful injury. It can also easily get tangled around you or your dog. The unexpected jolt backwards when your dog reaches the end of its lead when running is also dangerous, potentially causing back and neck injuries.”
Danger to cyclists and pedestrians
Having your dog on a fully extended lead also makes it difficult to avoid cyclists, pedestrians, other dogs, or hazards like broken glass.
Pet charities agree. Both PDSA and Battersea do not recommend extendable leads, particularly when training dogs for lead walking.
The solution
John continues: “The safest way for everyone is a traditional fixed-length lead, which provides a consistent and predictable connection between you and your dog, which is fundamental for control, training, and safety.
“Combined with a well-fitted harness, a fixed-length lead removes pressure from your dog's neck area and avoids the risk of accident and injury.”
Top Dog’s range of rope leads and stylish design collections of matching leads and harnesses are the safest combination for pet parents and their dogs. The leads are available in a range of lengths, and all harnesses are available in multiple sizes, for the best fit for your dog.
For more information on why dog owners should ditch retractable leads, head to TopDog’s advice blog here.
