Extendable Retractable Leashes: LOVE or HATE?

 I've owned dogs for the majority of my life. We didn't grow up with dogs, or even a cat, just hamsters and then rabbits. When I was eighteen and out of high school, I worked at a pet store in the mall as the Puppy Manager. There I fell in love with dogs and especially with the first dog our family ever owned, an American Eskimo. That was 1989 and the Extendi-lead was a hot new item. I remember how it cut into my little sister's neck and made a painful scab for weeks, too, when my puppy ran too close as she bent over. I think I had that same leash for maybe a decade, I rarely used it as it just wasn't safe for anything but being alone with your dog in a field on a hike.

 My Boston Terrier, Solaire, has been raised on a four to six foot lead. He isn't much of a puller, more of a mosey around and mark everything and sniffer and that's fine with me.

 This retractable leash is really bulky and reminds me why I prefer to hold a soft lead slipped over my wrist versus something I have to constantly grip. I just don't see the appeal and it seems like there's a lot of trial and error involved in learning to keep your dog safely controlled. 

  That said, it's made of all tape, not the rounded rope that tore my sister's neck when it touched her. I still dislike seeing this sort of leash being used anywhere other people have to pass the dog, like sidewalks. The owners usually let the dogs charge ahead of them and seem to have little interest in controlling the dog beyond holding the leash. This sort of behavior made me always dislike these leashes, and I've noticed that the majority with these type of long leashes also do NOT pick up their dog's poop. :C

 Look how far he got ahead of me going down the stairs from our apartment! He could have gone further but I stopped him and he waited. He could be down that hallway and around the corner and walking up on a stranger or another dog in a blink! I don't like that!

 I did get him to pause and wait at the top of each flight of stairs, and it is nice to let him take his time to stroll and pee without standing over him, especially when he's pooping and he gets to sort of gallop a bit on the long line. I also like how the leash doesn't drag through the grass which is ALWAYS full of poop despite dog bags all over the complex, so I mostly use this lead at night in an area where I don't expect people or other dogs to surprise us. It should be great for the park but not with my toddler as he could get hurt in the leash, like my sister did. Another issue I have is that if the heavy plastic handle is dropped, it might make him panic and run a few feet. I'll stick to my six foot soft leads.

 Like this retractable leash? Check it out at  https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dpets&field-keywords=retractable+dog+leash&field-brandtextbin=PetExpert.