With all of the wonderful dog products out there, there is still a debate on the most fundamental of products: the leash. They come in all different styles, materials and colors but for many dog owners the hardest decision is whether a retractable leash is right for them. Retractable leashes certainly cost more and most of us feel it is worth it to give our pooch the freedom he wants and deserves when going for walks. I mean, technically the walk is for them so shouldn’t they get to have some space and explore? The answer to this question depends on what you want from your dog outside, where you live and how your dog behaves in the great outdoors.

If you want your pup to walk politely at your side and have dedicated your precious time to teaching him the heel command then a retractable leash is probably not for you. After all, if you are spending time teaching your dog to walk at your side then you probably do not need 20 feet of leash that will let him get pretty far away from you. To teach your dog to stay close to you and then to give them that much room to get away will most likely do nothing more than confuse your dog. On the other hand if you do not really care if your dog is at your side on walks and think the heel command is not for you then a retractable is a great option. You can let your dog explore the world and have plenty of space to do so at the same time.

Your location will also play a big part in your decision to go retractable. If you live in an urban setting with small sidewalks and corners at every block then you would certainly do best not to let your dog get way in front of you. Giving him too much leash will allow him to get very close to people or other dogs on a busy city street which many of your neighbors will not appreciate. Also, if your pup is getting far ahead of you they will get to see what is around the corner first and if it is a big snarling dog or someone sitting on a step eating there lunch, you should probably be the one to get there first. If you live in the suburbs though a retractable may be just what you need. If there is plenty of space between you and your neighbors and tons of grass for your dog to sniff, then you will not need to worry about him giving people and dogs their personal space. If you see someone coming in the suburbs you will usually see them within plenty of time to reel your dog in and give him less leash before passing.

Lastly, if your dog is a disaster on leash and choking himself the entire time then training is what you need, not a retractable leash. What you will find is that a dog that pulls to the full extent of a 4 or 6 foot leash will do the same thing at the end of a retractable 20 foot leash. You are better off teaching them not to choke themselves than to switch to a longer leash- it won’t stop the pulling! If your dog does not pull on leash and happily trots near you then you are one of the lucky ones and both you and your dog will do well with a retractable leash.

So when making the decision about what type of leash to buy, think long and hard about what you want out of your dog and your walk, where you live and how your dog behaves on leash – making the right decision off the bat will save you money and allow you to start shopping for what will work best for you and your swanky pup!

Find great retractable leashes from Terrific Pets and get free shipping! Also check out the Flexi Expression leash or the Aspen Pet Designer Walkabout , which are very affordable and trendy options. For the most stylish retractable out there you must check out the selection from Coco and Tana! For regular, stylish leashes we love the styles from Modern Tails , especially the fabric and nylon and ribbon leads!

To chat more about leashes, share info on your favorite leash brands and more visit our chat lounge!