Hi all!

My 1-2 year old Sibe, Lance, is not at the top of his leash training game. However, I noticed he seems to do TREMENDOUSLY better when on a retractable leash. I never keep it where he can venture the entire time by himself, often times I lock it at a shorter length, which I guess defeats the purpose, but that's how I use it.

I've read a ton of things online saying that retractable leashes are a no-no for jogging and adventuring (i.e. Hiking) and I guess I was wondering if they're still considered a bad idea for jogs and adventures if you have it locked instead of the length of the leash at their discretion.

I understand the danger with rope burn and accidental limb removal, but even those risks should drastically decrease with keeping the leash locked at a reasonable distance, right?

What do you guys personally recommend as far as leashes for outdoor adventures? Also, hiking boots and the boots that look like little balloons. Good idea for a husky in Texas? Will either or any boot help repel heat instead of just preventing cuts, preventing burned paws from sidewalk salt, and opportunity for bacteria?

Thanks for any responses and any product reviews/recommendations!

I hate retractable leashes for anything.

Reason 1: retractables can be broken if a dogs spots a critter and decides to go after it. The internal spring will shatter if hit hard and then the leash is junk. If you are lucky you will have to find another way to get your dog back from the walk. If you are unlucky your dog is now loose.

Reason 2: Every time I meet someone with a dog on a retractable leash they are too far away from their owner for their owner to react quickly enough to get the retractable leash under control and pulled back in.

Reason 3: As a runner myself retractables are heavier than I want to carry and frankly when I'm running I don't want my dog checking things off away from the trail where they may hang up my run if they get engrossed in sniffing.

If you want a leash that is longer than a normal leash look into long line training leashes. They aren't retractable. They are like the flat leashes only you can get them 8, 10, or 15 ft long.

Hey Madison, I'm glad that Jenn chimed in with her comment, that makes mine a little more reasonable.

Like you, I live in Texas and have to deal with the heat (The Big Bend Region = Chihuahuan Desert HEAT).

As far as leashes go, I have three that get used. A regular 6' lead that is used in town; a 15' leash that's used, also, in town (if I'm stopping to get a meal, for example, I put the dogs on longer leads off the back of my Jeep, they can easily get to shade and water); a 100' lead (actually it's a clothesline rope with a snap clip) that I use when I go wandering on the desert - I'm 70, I don't go running!

You might want to consider the choice of leads, as I do, depending on what you're doing. A casual hike through unobstructed territory - go for a long lead, you can gather that in and bring them 'to heel' quickly enough if you need to. On a longer run where you're out to get exercise, I'd go with a much shorter lead (like the normal 6' lead).

None of my two (now three) who have gone desert walking with me have ever had any problems with the hot sand / rocks though we sometimes get to pull cactus spines out of paws. (Er, said spines will go through sneaker soles so I don't think doggy boots would help.) They'll gladly go running across rock that's too hot for me to set on! That said, we seldom go out when it's over 95f or so and when it's that hot never get more than a few minutes from the house and water.

Not a fan of retractables myself. I suggest if he pulls buy a head harness or no-pull harness for the best control - they're fairly cheap on Amazon. You could also get a "hands free" leash for walking that is attached to your waist. I use a regular nylon but my girl walks with me.

I hate retractables. I have seen too many snap when a dog saw a squirrel, with tragic consequences.

When we want to give my pup room to roam, we use a 20 or 30-ft leash, like this one. It's more secure and virtually unbreakable.

Hi madison,
I use the omnijore towline and hipbelt from ruffwear when I am joring or leash-walking thru town.
My gosh I love them and I saved for a bit to get joring gear. But when only hiking in the wilderness I
leave my huskies off leash which I know many do not do.

I was maybe lucky that my male husky from 5 weeks hated anything pulling on his neck even a little...so he is a perfect leash-walker. My female was the opposite.

I am also not a retractable leash fan for many reasons already posted here and also that I walk 2 dogs at the same time always.

Have you considered a bungee style leash...like the one I use? Mine is 6.5 ft. and maybe your dog would like it like the retractable as it has a little give and he may feel good about it. My husky does not like a regular leash and lets me know by nosing it away and bringing me his bungee leash...

Good luck!