hi all does anyone know were i can buy one of these leads strong enough for a bullmastiff ,i saw someone at a show with one but they dissapeared  thanks

this one's for dogs upto 72kg's, Dawn.

I personally wouldn't use one. I had a Large Munsterlander bitch on one who decided to take off after my Springer Spaniel, many years ago. I couldn't hold on to the handle as she pulled it out of my hand :( She wasn't fully grown so probably weighed about 18 kgs at the time. She did it on more than one occassion so I stopped using it. A lunge rein, such as the ones used for horses, is a better way of being able to keep control whilst out excercising. So unless you are built like a champion body builder ;) I would expect to have an arm wrenched out of it's socket, or perhaps be dragged along on your front through mud and stuff Of course your dog could be one of those who walk nicely, and you will be fine :) JMHO :D

I'd agree with you LindyLou, especially after my experiences today!  My seven month old goldie takes off like a rocket on his and then comes to an abrupt stop when the lead runs out - I also go flying off my feet (with one arm longer than the other :D) so I don't think that is good for him or for me.  The lunge rein, while not as convenient as it doesn't rewind when the dog returns, is far more controllable.

I've also had one pulled out my hand...and it went flying into the side of my mams head Luckily it didn't do any damage about from a slight bump.
I have 2 which I keep in the car for when we are at a show where they can't be let up but it gives them the chance to stretch their legs a bit, they are quite good for beginning training a recall but as others have said, a long line is much better...although not without its dangers, picture the scene...large open field with a loads of seagulls at one end and Idõ(very keen gundog, especially with anything with feathers) on longline at the other, I saw him look so, thinking I was brill for keeping one step ahead, put my foot on the longline..next thing I was on my a*** in the mud :D :D Did thwe trick though as he didn't chase the birds and my mate Philly thought it was hilarious!!

Great story :D (the bit about the seagulls, not your poor Mum getting a bump on the head!)

Glad someone else got a good laugh out of my misfortune!! I must admit it was quite funny....why is it that when you fall over, or are innocently laid on the floor, do dogs have to come over and starting giving your face a good ol' wash...which only resulting in you laughing and them getting even sillier?!!!! :D

Yes, not exactly the recall you want is it? :D  I shall no doubt be joining you face down in the mud one day soon :), then you'll be able to laugh at me!

We have one for our 10 month old Goldie which only my OH or myself are allowed to use our 13 year old and 10 year old daughters have to use an ordinary lead as Honey (the dog :D ) is very capable of pulling them over or pulling the lead out of their hands.  We only use it when we're away from the road, for her nightly walk round the block she has a normal lead. 

Honey is used to it and doesn't normally try and run anymore as soon as the lead goes a bit loose but I don't completely trust her not to if she sees something she fancies.  We use it because she is currently recovering from an accident so is not yet allowed unlimited excercise so it allows us to restrict what she does while allowing her some freedom.  Once she is fully recovered I don't expect to use it at all unless we are walking on our local heath which has a few busy roads next to it.

Steve

I would never use an extending lead for pavement walking Steve.  I have only used it when in the park or on downland with the idea of enforcing recall if my puppy doesn't return when called.  I think they are very dangerous when used for ordinary road walking and actually give less control IMO than an ordinary lead.

Sorry to hear about Honey's accident - hope she is fully recovered soon.

That's the point I was trying to make :) We only ever use it away from the roads, not for pavement walking.  I wouldn't use it on the pavement because I don't trust them to hold at the correct length when you have a 25kg Goldie trying to chase a leaf :rolleyes:

Honey thinks she is recovered :rolleyes: unfortunately for her the vet doesn't agree.  She is well on the way and hopefully will be back to full fitness in about a month.

Steve

I think you're just as likely to come a cropper using a long lunge rein as a Flexilead. If you don't end up hopelessly tangled, you're just as likely to end up face down if your dog  gives you a good pull when it's about 15 feet away! The trick is to not let the dog run to the end of it before you decide to stop them or have them forever dancing about on the end of it fully extended.

I personally would only use the Flexi ones as I've known a couple of people have cheaper imitations fall to bits or snap. You can get a Flexi Giant which have no upper weight limit and is all webbing, but they are about £30. Pets At Home usually have them.

Hi Phoebe,  I suppose that is why I find using the long rein easier - you have to actually unwind it, rather than it doing so automatically like the extending leads, which I think gives much greater control and you're also aware when you're coming to the end of it :D.

I'd never use one on such a big dog anyway, in my opinion it teachs bad habits and i did have a friend who used one with a sheperd who done a sumersolt he he he he it was funny at the time no one was hurt. ha ha i still can't stop laughing just the thought.

I'm sure the dog didn't think it was all that funny :(

depends on the dog , if your mastiff likes to bolt after squirrels , cats , rabbits on sight (even while on lead) or pulls like a train then flexi's wouldn't be such a good idea. For the bigger dogs i find normal nylon web/leather leashes work best (more control).

It weren't the dog that done the summersolt, it was my friend.

Warm regards Susan

That's all right then :D

I dont like extendables full stop if I want long lead I use a training lead :)

I hate extendable leads (not least detest the inevitable "knitting" that results from an encounter with any other dog on an extendable!!) but use one on the Downs when there are livestock in close proximity and to reinforce recall. However, I'd much rather use a long line of some sort but having only got a JRT am having problems finding anything suitable for a small breed. Anyone got any suggestions?

Yes, I'm going to go back to that.

thanks for the replys  can any of you reccomend a good training lead and were to buy one ,thanks

I use the compact flexi's on my boys, usually only at shows where they cant be let off but at the moment Alfie has a bad leg so is on one permanently when walking accross the fields etc.  I usually dont let them run to the end I start to slow it before they get there otherwise it must really hurt their necks, I have started using Alfies headcollar when I use his flexi it is much easier on the arm :)

Just a word of warning Claire if you are using a flexi with a headcollar...I heard about a dog who's neck was broken when he ran to the end of the flexi while wearing a headcollar :(
A better option would be to use one of those little flexi links at attach the heacollar to the normal collar then attach the lead to the collar..if that makes sense, still more control but most of the pressure is then still in the collar :)

just seen this, he doesnt run to the end of the lead with his head collar on, where as he does when he has a normal collar on.  Point taken though, I will be extra vigilant :)

Something i have noticed about flexi leads, the cord kind more than the tape kind. At a distance it is often VERY hard to see the cord, which can mean other dogs run into it.

More worryingly, i saw a lady exercising her dog apparently off lead on a grass verge. As the car i was in went past i could see that he was on a flexi lead, but as a potential hazard to drivers, i think thats quite high. If you are paying attention to a dog on the edge of the road (as this dog was) that appears to be off lead, you could have a nasty accident!

Em

i use one of those extending lead (which i got outta tescos :rolleyes: for large dogs) for walking her over the fields and forest where i live  but use a normal chain lead to walk her on in the street . i have never had any trouble with her on her extending lead

Hi,
Flexi leads have their place but do not negate the need for training. I use one as well as a lunge line.
From reading other peoples threads I think most points have been covered but I would add that although they look quite straightforward it pays to read the instructions. As far as strength is concerned although you could tow a car with the Flexi Giant I know Flexi commissioned some research a few years ago which showed the average human grip gave out at about 110lbs.  An aid nothing more IMHO.