Once touted as the best thing since sliced bread because they allow your dog extra freedom while still being on-leash, these flexible leashes are now being banned by many doggy daycare, pet retail, and grooming facilities.

As a dog trainer, I cringe when I see a client come in on a flexi-lead. Usually the first thing out of their mouth is then, "my dog pulls constantly!” I usually have to hold my tongue at this point because I really want to say something like this:

"Oh you have your dog on a leash that lets him roam free. He must stay right next to you all the time."

Instead, I say something along the lines of "well, you are using an extendable leash that rewards your dog with freedom when he pulls.”

These leashes are a great way to teach your dog to pull. They are the worst way to try and teach your dog loose leash walking or heel. Not only do they reward your dog when they pull, but when they come back to you, or try to give you "loose leash” they are "corrected” by losing their freedom (leash retracts). So why on Earth would your dog ever come back to you?