I’ve never been a fan of retractable leashes.
I “get” the convenience but consider them a partial reflection of the low companion dog obedience standards taught in most North American schools. (Come never seems to get past the idea of “If you have a minute check your daytimer . . . “) This 2009 consumer report article though talks about physical injury risk (finger amputation) to dog owners and their dogs. Read the article here: Retractable leashes pose problems for people and their pets
