Real walks · Honest lessons · English personal account

I made a mistake.
Finn nearly paid for it.

A frightening walk near Glencoe, what I got wrong, and what we can learn about equipment and responding to fear.

By Luke Allan · Incident: 30 September 2026

I slipped. I dropped the lead.

I was walking Odie and Finn on a mountain near Glencoe. Two dogs, one still a small puppy, both on retractable leads. That was my choice.

I was suitably dressed, but the slippery rocks and water caught me out. I slipped and dropped Finn’s lead handle. I managed to keep hold of Odie’s. I had more confidence that Odie would stand still, and he did.

I made the mistake. Finn wasn’t being naughty or difficult. He was frightened.

Finn ran, with the plastic handle banging and crashing behind him. The thing scaring him followed him wherever he went. I instinctively chased him, shouting his name while sliding and scrambling after him. I was trying to protect him, but from what I could see, I was making him more scared.

We were isolated, with no other people nearby, and I felt a long way from help. In one sense, having no one else around helped: there were no extra people adding to the situation. But it also made it so much more frightening. If Finn disappeared, I feared I might never find him again.

After a few seconds, I changed approach and hoped for the best. I stopped in the mud and kept calling, without running after him. Finn paused, looked at the lead he was dragging, then looked at me. He came back looking petrified.

Was choosing two retractable leads the best decision for that walk? After this experience, it is a choice I need to rethink. I’m working things out, like everyone else.

Anyone can slip. Anyone can drop a lead. Caring deeply about your dogs doesn’t mean you will never make a mistake. I’m sharing mine because honest dog-care advice should include the moments we get wrong—and what we learn from them.

My unfiltered reaction (strong language)

But fuck me, was that stressful.

I was lucky. Stopping helped in those particular circumstances. The terrain, weather, water flow, surrounding noises and presence—or absence—of other people all mattered. With different conditions or an immediate hazard, the safest response could have been different. This is one personal experience, not proof that stopping will work for every dog or every emergency.

Choose equipment for the dog, the route and your footing.

A retractable handle dropped onto hard ground can make a noise that frightens a dog into running away. The handle then travels with them. MSPCA-Angell identifies this risk; Finn’s experience illustrates it.

For slippery, rocky or narrow routes, our practical recommendation is a fixed-length lead that you can hold securely and keep at a manageable length, with a well-fitting harness. This is a route-specific judgement, not a claim that equipment can prevent every accident. A long line is useful for recall practice in suitable spaces; it is not a substitute for close control on exposed or obstructed terrain.

Walking two dogs adds handling demands, especially when one is a puppy or easily startled. Consider whether you can safely manage both if one pulls or panics. Choose an easier route, take another capable handler or walk them separately when that gives you better control. Reassess as water and footing change; turning back is a valid decision.

If your dog becomes frightened

Assess immediate danger and your own footing. Consider terrain, weather, water flow, noise, other people and how far you are from help before deciding what to do. Keep the other dog under control. Do not put yourself into a fall, fast water or traffic trying to retrieve a dog.
Reduce pressure where it is safe to do so. Avoid frantic pursuit, repeated shouting or cornering a frightened dog. A calmer voice and welcoming posture may help them approach; only lower yourself if your footing is secure. Stopping is not a universal instruction: traffic, an edge, fast water, other people or changing conditions may require a different response. Luke was lucky that Finn returned; this account cannot determine the safest action in another emergency.
Welcome the return. Secure the dog calmly and reward them. Do not punish them for coming back. Dogs Trust recommends calm handling and rewarding recall.
Do not grab a moving retractable cord. It can cause injury. Recover the handle when you can do so safely.

Build confidence before another difficult walk.

Practise reward-based recall in an enclosed, low-distraction space. For long-line practice, attach it to a suitable harness and manage slack. Keep the next outings manageable; do not deliberately drop a handle behind your dog to recreate the incident. If fear persists or worsens, seek individual advice from a qualified behaviour professional.

Compare walking equipment · Build recall · Plan safer outdoor walks

A personal story alongside evidence-based guidance.

Luke’s account describes his observations; Finn’s thoughts cannot be known with certainty. The sources below support the dropped-handle risk and reward-based recall advice. Recommendations about route choice and managing two dogs are our practical editorial judgement, not findings from this single incident.

MSPCA-Angell: retractable-lead risks · Dogs Trust: reward-based recall

About this guidanceReview details and sources

A personal story alongside evidence-based guidance.

This addition reviewed: 30 September 2026. General guidance, not an individual behaviour assessment.

Evidence standards · Report an inaccuracy

I made a mistake.Finn nearly paid for it.

I slipped. I dropped the lead.

Choose equipment for the dog, the route and your footing.

If your dog becomes frightened

Build confidence before another difficult walk.

A personal story alongside evidence-based guidance.

A personal story alongside evidence-based guidance.

I made a mistake.
Finn nearly paid for it.