Quote Originally Posted by luvmyguys View Post
I feel like I can train the dogs better with the retractable lead. I can keep it shorter and keep the dog closer to me without cutting the circulation off to my fingertips by . But it does require looking ahead of time to reel the dog in when the situation might warrant (which, in our case, is any other animal, a street, or a person working in the yard - to name only few).

Blame the owner, not the equipment. (Just like inconsiderate cyclists - it's not cycling, it's the rider.)
Why the hate on retracto leashes? Here's why:

If a dog is trained properly to heel on a slack leash, there should never ever be problems with circulation getting cut off in the hands. These days, I see that very very few dogs trained to walk at heel on a slack leash. They are either pulling on a 6' leash, pulling and running all over on a retracto leash, or they are wearing a haltie type muzzle that prevents them from pulling. Whatever happened to just training the dog how to walk on a leash? Don't tell me it's difficult - I took a Malamute to ribbons in obedience many years ago, and that is a kind of dog that is born to pull.
You shouldn't have to "reel him in when the situation warrants". A well trained dog focuses on his owner, not all the other stuff happening around them. Or, they know it's happening but they focus on the trainer, not the squirrel.

/rant off.