Wondering if anybody can advise me if a flexi lead is suitable for a Dobermann (puppy and as a full grown dog). I priced a few from £9.00 to £30.00 of differing types, cord and tape. It can become very expensive buying stuff thats not suitable so before I invest in one Id like to find out other peoples recommendations. Other option I have thought about is a horse lunging lead. I know these wont snap as Ive used them with my horses back in OZ.

Hi Jacky,

From a completely non-breed specific point of view, I've used Flexi Leads on my last two dogs, and hence have two dogs who are horrible on the lead, as they're used to being out in front of me. Particularly with a strong dog like the Dobe, I'd say don't do it, but I'm sure others will offer advice and experience too. Better train him to walk on a lead, and use the long line to train your recall.

For info, previous dogs I have owned have all been immaculately behaved on lead, and I'm mortified that I've allowed my two horrors to rule me in this way ........ but you know how it is, even when I start making a concerted effort to break the habit, I then have to police my other half too ........ still, MUST get on with it ;)

Marina

Thanks Marina, guess I should have been more specific. I dont intend walking him on a flexi. It mainly if we are in an open area that is not really suitable for letting him run free, or for his first visit to the parks etc until he has learnt the recall. I know that they are very strong dogs and dont like the idea of a flexi lead snapping and taking out my eye or giving me a lovely bruise as I have read about.

I think one is only any good when you have the dog well trained first or it is a smaller dog who can't do you or themselves much injury if they hurtle to a sudden stop when the length runs out. It can be rather violent if you have a strong dog. Also people have been known to let go when they get the snap as it reaches the end only for it to retract rapidly and clonk the dog hard on the back of the head. Some have had bad injuries. If the dog is well trained beforehand and comes on recall etc and doesn't shoot off away from you then they can be very useful.

hth

Pam n the boys

HI there - I've used a flexi lead for my dobe when he was small but as got bigger and stronger he could just yank it out of my hands ,also if you want him back pronto you've only got a very thin piece of cord to reel in ,and it don't half hurt your hands :D
I now use a horse rope -much softer on the hands and alot easier to reel in if need be
HTH
Liz

Thanks everyone for your advice. I think I shall get myself a horse rope. Firstly they are cheaper and wont break and nothing to clonk on anybodies head his or mine... I will definately train Sydney to walk/heel on a short lead and will only use this when he is a pup/adolescent and likely to get into trouble charging up to somebody he shouldnt on the local field. Hopefully on day in the future he will recall and or down/sit when asked . Till then.....(sigh looking at my already chaffed, chewed sore hands)... Ill use the horse rope.

I have had the flexi leads I am still useing 15 years they were flexi 8 and £32, they are 32 foot long, in that time I have used them for Tibetan Mastiff weighing in at 10 st and for when the Newfoundlands first started going into the lake, I still use them on new pups now for socializing in the parks, where they have to be on leads.They have never snapped only got a bit tatty. them we have had them shortend and re stiched.P.J. is 12 stone and I still use it on him in parks that insist dog's must be kept on leads.

I know a few dobe owners and those that have unreliable dogs use the flexi Giant. This is the all tape flexi for large breeds. While young you can get away with a Flexi 3 but once older this isn't really strong enough if the dog lunged after something.

What you do have to rmember is that you need to be confident that you are strong enough to manage to reel in a full grown dobe if they get to the end of one, so they don't drag it out of your hands.

I think you'd have to be Superman/woman if the dobe was really after something - even one small dalmatian (55lb) had me sailing through the air when he launched after a rabbit, the handle jerked right out of my hand.

I've been completely taken off my feet on a few occasions by my Springer Spaniel :o
Lara x

Hi Jackie

I am currently using a Flexi when I take my "rescue" Dobe out in open areas - one of the tape ones. He seems to come back reliably but I don't know enough about him yet to risk him running free, especially in areas he doesn't know.

If you start off using it quite short and use the noise of the locking mechanism, or your voice to let them know when it is coming to the end they learn how much "rope" they have to play with.

Christine

hi there
i have a young dobe and i use a extended lead for him, i did have the cord one first but sam broke it after trying to get to a cat, took that back and got a tape one which is more sturdy, i paid 20 pound for his, also the tape one does'nt hurt your hands if you have to grab it quickly