How long a leash?

edit:
There is NO 'mastering how' to use a Flexi.

The MECHANICS of a Flexi lead does NOT allow you to reel your dog back to you period. The string will not retract in when the dog is at the end of it pulling.

Your dog hits the end of that flexi lead at something the button does NOT reel him back in. You are left trying to wrap your fingers around a thin string trying to pull the dog back to you.

Have a family member call, tease, have food, whatever, while the dog is on the flexi at the end pulling toward the family member.

Now try and reel him back to you. You will quickly find how a flexi does NOT work. And IMHO better to find out with your family member than at a CG meeting up with another dog that is wanting to fight trying to kill your dog.

Deb and Ed M wrote:
I guess I'm astounded that *some* folks can master the complexities of an RV, but can't seem to handle a retractable leash? I will continue to use them (wearing my flame-proof undies) because I have just as much control over my dogs with the Flexis, or on a 6' leash. If I'm walking in close quarters, my dogs are at my side; and I appreciate not having loose leashes to get them and myself tangled in.

But then again - my dogs COME when called.

I guess I'm astounded that you can master the complexities of an RV, but can't seem to handle a 6 ft leash? I will continue to use them...

If you're one of the few who is capable of using a retractable leash and still maintain control over your dogs, then no problem.

But the majority of folks using retractable leashes do NOT have control over their dogs and that is why they are so disliked.

As for having "as much control" and "my dogs COME when called", wait until some dog comes out of no where and attacks your dog. When your dog can't escape on its own and therefore can't come no matter how much you call it and you can't drag it out of the fight (while the other owner is running around in circles saying "oh, I don't know what got into him"), then tell me the retractable leash is as good as a solid leash. Over the years, on several occasions, I have had to drag my dog out of an attack - would have taken a lot longer (resulting in MORE injuries to my dog) with a retractable leash. A good solid leather leash is still the best way to go.

I guess I'm astounded that *some* folks can master the complexities of an RV, but can't seem to handle a retractable leash? I will continue to use them (wearing my flame-proof undies) because I have just as much control over my dogs with the Flexis, or on a 6' leash. If I'm walking in close quarters, my dogs are at my side; and I appreciate not having loose leashes to get them and myself tangled in.

But then again - my dogs COME when called.

Good points being brought up.

I do exactly the same thing as "downtheroad." I decrease the length of the cable based on the specific circumstances of the CG. And even though most of the CGs I have been to have leash length limits, I have never had them bother me with the cable being longer than the leash length limit. But I consider myself a very conscientious dog owner. If my dog is barking, I stop everything I am doing to quiet him down by command. If I sense a neighbor is bothered by him in anyway, I ask. Being proactive and solving potential issues before they become problematic is the key. If the lead is some long that it allows the dog to wonder out in the walk way or driveway, I think you are asking for problems.

I remember watching a woman with her dog at the local shopping center - she was standing outside the Petsmart store hold the end of her 20ft retractable leash... her dog was INSIDE the store, around the corner peeing on the bags of dog food.

Glad to know she had control of her dog.

Whatever length you choose, please do NOT make it a flexi-leash. UGH!! I will turn and walk the other way when I see a dog approaching that is being walked with one.

We are not pet owners but we do like them. I always ask permission before approaching anyone's pet. I do this for my safety and to prevent an embarrassing moment for the pet owner.

If an owner is using a long leash or one of the extendable leashes I will avoid that person or ask them to shorten the leash to six feet or less. In private campgrounds the owners can set the rules but in most if not all locals, the 6 foots rules is written into law. I expect folks to keep their pets in their control and restricted enough that I can enjoy the area the just like them.

toedtoes wrote:
......
I had several instances when another dog came into my campsite and approached my dogs.
I have learned that I cannot trust other people to follow the rules or use common sense or courtesy...
My other reason for that is because people are really stupid. I have had people walk right up to my dogs and hug them around the head and shoulders.....
And that prevents a dog bite that my dog will be blamed and punished for...
By the end of the weekend, I was at my wit's end and my dogs were stressed out.

X2

The biggest thing I found RV'ing that often prevented me from having a pleasant stay at a CG is the CG dog owners who insist on bringing their dogs up to your site and very often right onto your site with their dogs at the end of their leashes saying " my doggie wants to meet your doggie" :R

I've said it before, my dogs are NOT there for your dogs to have a doggie play date with. If CG dog owners would just 'think' before they do that. :(

When I used to use the tie out cable and give my dogs access to the entire campsite, I had several instances when another dog came into my campsite and approached my dogs. I realized how easily something could happen when my dogs were 15 to 20 feet away from me. Once, I had 2 schnauzers stand just out of reach of my dogs and bark and pee. My dogs saw that for the aggressive stance it was meant to be and became more territorial of "their space" than before. By the end of the weekend, I was at my wit's end and my dogs were stressed out.

So, I stopped using the tie out. Now, my dogs have their personal space not territory. They don't feel the need to protect the space - they just protect themselves. I also don't have to constantly get up and go settle them down because they are right with me.

While I would love to be able to give my dogs more freedom, I have learned that I cannot trust other people to follow the rules or use common sense or courtesy. So, the only time my dogs are more than 6 feet away from me is when we are in an enclosed area with only dogs and people I know.

My other reason for that is because people are really stupid. I have had people walk right up to my dogs and hug them around the head and shoulders. If i'm 15-20 ft away, I can't get there quick enough to stop that. With them on a leash, as soon as someone starts approaching, I can reign my dogs in to me preventing the person from doing something assinine. And that prevents a dog bite that my dog will be blamed and punished for.