Introducing two new fosters to the ocean

CampWhippet

8th September 2007 - 08:36 PM

They usually stand in awe for a bit, marvelling at the great distance and the fact that Kent is out playing in the surf
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I let them get closer to see the water come up. That always gets them doing a dance like they are on a hot plate.
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Eventually I get them interested enought to folow the retreating surf and that means the next wave that comes in......
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Gets them!

But they take it all in stride and even pose for a final shot before moving on.
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simile

8th September 2007 - 08:40 PM

Hey, water's not supposed to do that! And it tastes funny, too!

Those collars and leads are great. Where'd you get 'em?

CampWhippet

8th September 2007 - 08:47 PM

The leads are flexis. The collars came from Dogwalkers

lizmego

9th September 2007 - 08:58 AM

I'm surprised that the adoption group you're fostering for allows the flexi's, I thought that every group advised not using them?

Redstripe

9th September 2007 - 12:06 PM

fun pics!

Redstripe

9th September 2007 - 12:07 PM

QUOTE (lizmego @ Sep 9 2007, 07:58 AM)

I'm surprised that the adoption group you're fostering for allows the flexi's, I thought that every group advised not using them?

i thought the same too, because they can get to great speeds in just three strides and wouldn't that hurt their neck if they got that far and stopped so quick?!

BlackStar Rising

9th September 2007 - 04:56 PM

Flex leashes seem like lots of fun. Freedom. More exercise for the dog. You've used them before and have gotten away with using them. You think they're safe and you think you can control the athlete at the end of it - 15-20-25-30 feet away from you.

Then it happens... it gets jerked out of your hand and the greyhound is running off with a loud bouncing plastic demon chasing it, or maybe you do manage to hold onto it and the greyhound gets jerked to a stop and ends up with serious neck problems.

Flex leads are accidents waiting to happen, and the use of them is grounds for repossession here. They aren't safe. You have no control of the greyhound. Please don't use them.

Carol

graytdog

10th September 2007 - 10:08 AM

I have had it happen with our Lab (chasing a cat). I got cuts on my fingers and he hurt himself. Now the flexi lead never ever gets used in my house, that was a waste of $30.
Tara

lovemygreys

10th September 2007 - 08:56 PM

Glad to see your greys enjoying the ocean. Isis will watch, wait and then try to chase every wave that comes her way, aren't they a blast to see such enjoyment in something so simple. Thor, on the other hand does not like to get his feet wet and we're waiting for Dewey to see how our foster flunker, Clark handles the waves.

gpagreys

12th September 2007 - 07:38 PM

QUOTE (CampWhippet @ Sep 8 2007, 07:36 PM)

They usually stand in awe for a bit, marvelling at the great distance and the fact that Kent is out playing in the surf
user posted image

I let them get closer to see the water come up. That always gets them doing a dance like they are on a hot plate.
user posted image

Eventually I get them interested enought to folow the retreating surf and that means the next wave that comes in......
user posted image

Gets them!

But they take it all in stride and even pose for a final shot before moving on.
user posted image

I suspect the flexis are acceptable for a deserted beach. This man knows how to use them appropriately. I personally don't care for them in public(walking) situations, but it just might be better than having fosters off lead? :-) Other than a longe line, a six foot lead would hamper surfing, Dude!

Vicky

BlackStar Rising

12th September 2007 - 10:20 PM

**I suspect the flexis are acceptable for a deserted beach. **

Who can really be sure any beach will stay deserted. What about stray dogs? Wildlife? Kids running up? Greyhounds can take off quickly on a deserted beach too.

**This man knows how to use them appropriately. **

Flexis simply aren't appropriate for greyhounds.

**I personally don't care for them in public(walking) situations, but it just might be better than having fosters off lead? :-) **

Better than having fosters off-lead? It's negligence to have fosters off-lead, so being better than that isn't really much of a compliment.

**Other than a longe line, a six foot lead would hamper surfing, Dude! **

The safety of these greyhounds is not a lighthearted subject. Real danger exists with flexis.

Carol

Liz

13th September 2007 - 12:33 PM

Nice to see such a happy bunch.. Something about the sand and ocean that really makes them happy and relaxed.

gpagreys

13th September 2007 - 06:26 PM

QUOTE (BlackStar Rising @ Sep 12 2007, 09:20 PM)

**I suspect the flexis are acceptable for a deserted beach. **

Who can really be sure any beach will stay deserted. What about stray dogs? Wildlife? Kids running up? Greyhounds can take off quickly on a deserted beach too.

**This man knows how to use them appropriately. **

Flexis simply aren't appropriate for greyhounds.

**I personally don't care for them in public(walking) situations, but it just might be better than having fosters off lead? :-) **

Better than having fosters off-lead? It's negligence to have fosters off-lead, so being better than that isn't really much of a compliment.

**Other than a longe line, a six foot lead would hamper surfing, Dude! **

The safety of these greyhounds is not a lighthearted subject. Real danger exists with flexis.

Carol

Carol,

Please lighten up.

What you or I or the next person feels is the only correct way to handle a grey does not mean it is an absolute. Wether or not we agree with the matter at hand. We all have anecdotes on stoopid grey handling. Dogs have injured themselves, playing in a fenced back yard, broken a leg by getting tangled in a 6 foot lead and hung themselves while wearing a simple coller.

The only absolute is that there is no absolute.

JMHO
Vicky

ibghcrazy

13th September 2007 - 08:02 PM

Along with my 3 greys, I have 4 iggies. 2 of those flex leads came with them when I rescued them. I use them but I lock it so it stays at one length. It works perfect that way for the little guys cause two are shorter then the others allowing me to adjust them to fit the two on that splitter.

lizmego

13th September 2007 - 11:31 PM

QUOTE (gpagreys @ Sep 12 2007, 06:38 PM)

I suspect the flexis are acceptable for a deserted beach. This man knows how to use them appropriately. I personally don't care for them in public(walking) situations, but it just might be better than having fosters off lead? :-) Other than a longe line, a six foot lead would hamper surfing, Dude!

Vicky

How do you use them correctly?

Seems the greyhounds are frolicing and playing and could even start zooming at a faster pace which, I would think, would be bad anywhere, not just on a beach. Plus, I would think that using flexi's in this manner might enable a greyhound to take off and rip the flexi plastic handle out of your hand and thus the greyhound is loose with a strange contraption "chasing" after him/her.

gpagreys

14th September 2007 - 07:37 AM

QUOTE (lizmego @ Sep 13 2007, 10:31 PM)

QUOTE (gpagreys @ Sep 12 2007, 06:38 PM)

I suspect the flexis are acceptable for a deserted beach. This man knows how to use them appropriately. I personally don't care for them in public(walking) situations, but it just might be better than having fosters off lead? :-) Other than a longe line, a six foot lead would hamper surfing, Dude!

Vicky

How do you use them correctly?

Seems the greyhounds are frolicing and playing and could even start zooming at a faster pace which, I would think, would be bad anywhere, not just on a beach. Plus, I would think that using flexi's in this manner might enable a greyhound to take off and rip the flexi plastic handle out of your hand and thus the greyhound is loose with a strange contraption "chasing" after him/her.

Liz,

I personally hate flexis. That being said the real reason I hate them is most folks don't know how or unwilling to use them properly. They leave the flexi open. There is a great tool on these called a stop button. The flexi can be fully extended and on stop or it can be 6 feet and on stop. Just like a regular lead just thinner. The handles, IMO are too unwieldy for smaller hands or some of us less strong distaff.

Yes, awful things can happen with these, but millions and millions are in use wether we like it or not. The majority of the dogs using them have not had an issue (just the other people and dogs they trip up)

The pictures of the pups at the beach are past tense, the dogs and their larger stronger person survived and it is possible the leads were used correctly...like a regulation lead?

Vicky

lizmego

14th September 2007 - 08:05 AM

I've never used a flexi, never had a need to......that said, my concern stems from promoting pictures of greyhounds with flexi's for all the world to see and giving the impression that flexi are a good tool to use with greyhounds. I guess I'm in the camp of "Don't ask, don't tell!"

Use them at your own risk, but please don't promote them to others.

Where'd the OP go? He/she hasn't chimed in here in a while...

simile

14th September 2007 - 12:55 PM

The OP unregistered a while ago.

BlackStar Rising

14th September 2007 - 01:59 PM

Vicky,

My opinions of flexis are based on my experiences as a vet. Remember, I see the subsequent trauma problems. Opinions are just that - opinions - but I don't think it's improper share one as long as it's done politely and stays on the subject.

My experience is that they are totally unsafe for large dogs - not just our greyhounds - probably any dog over 45 pounds. I've seen (or received the phone call about) dogs who pulled the plastic handle out of the owner's hands with disastrous results. I can't passively accept that they are acceptable leashes for greyhounds. Posting photos of greyhounds on flexis should always carry the admonition that this is unsafe, IMHO.

Small breeds are less likely to pull the handle loose, but even with them, how do you protect your poodle when it's 20 feet away from you and a dog runs up?

One of the most common phrases I hear as a vet during a trauma visit is "He's never done that before". It only takes once. ONCE.

Carol