FLEXI LEASHES AND OTHER EXTENDABLE LEASHES
At first blush, extendable leashes appear to be the best thing since
puppy breath! In point of fact, they can be very dangerous, for owner
as well as small pets.
When walking any pet on an extendable leash, this extra long leash can
get wrapped around the walker's legs, it can extend and wrap around
(and occasionally BREAK) fingers, sudden extension of the leash can
pull a pet walker off balance. And these events are not the worst thing
that can happen!
A small pet being walked on an extendable leash cannot be quickly
removed to safety in the event of an emergency. Picture this: you are
walking your pet with 10-25 feet of leash extended. Suddenly, out of 
owhere, some big, off leash dog, up to no good, comes out of nowhere,
intent upon doing damage to your pet! What can you do when there is
that much distance between you and your pet? NOTHING!!! 
Now, picture this: you are walking your pet on a 4 or 6 foot leash: the 
ame big, off leash dog comes out of nowhere, intent on no good for 
our pet. You can swing your pet out of the way of the dog, hopefully
resolving the immediate situation. In so doing, your pet may well have
been momentarily discomforted and frightened, but that outcome is 
infinitely better than being picked up and shaken, or worse, isn't it? 
We are in charge of the safety of our pets, and in spite of leash laws, 
there are still instances where an aggressive dog might have escaped 
from it's home or yard. It's up to us to be mindful, but not neurotic,
of the things that can happen, and do what we are able to do to ensure
a good outcome. 
Better safe than sorry are still words to live by.