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Mon–Fri: 7:30AM–7PM
Sat: 8AM – 5PM
Sun: Closed

425-432-9975
23714 222nd Place SE, Ste L,
Maple Valley, WA 98038

Retractable Leash Risks

At Wilderness Animal Hospital we are dedicated to the safety and well-being of your pet.  To keep all of our patients safe and decrease the stress in our facility, we request you do not bring in your pet on a retractable leash.  Retractable leashes are not appropriate in the close quarters of our reception area.  We will happily exchange your retractable leash for one of our standard leashes for use during your visit.  If you want, you can even take it home.

If you use a retractable leash regularly with your dog, please consider the following:

Long leash = less control

  • Your dog can run into the road
  • Your dog can be attacked or attack another animal

​Long leash = more momentum = injury to you or your dog

  • Neck injury to the dog when hits the end of the leash
  • Cutting injury to you or your dog from the thin line wrapping around an extremity (and yes, even amputation has occured)
  • Injury to you when your dog pulls you off your feet when he gets to the end of the leash

The thin cord can break

  • You have a loose dog
  • The cord snaps back and injures you in the process

​Long leashes do not encourage good training

  • Many dogs learn to pull when on a retractable leash
  • Dogs are encouraged to go ahead of the owner and not politely heal in an obedient manner
  • Excessive pulling can look like aggression to other dogs and increase the risk of your dog being attacked

​The leash handles are bulky

  • They can easily be pulled out of human hands
  • When dropped, can cause a loud sound that causes a fearful dog to try to escape
  • The handle can appear to be “chasing” the fearful pet and make matters even worse