Pet peeve

Retractable leashes are the bane of my existence. Oh, I'm sure they are fine for walks in the park. Maybe walks in the neighborhood - but NOT for class and NOT for shopping with your dog!
I know the leashes have a little button you can lock down, and make the leash short. I KNOW they have them because I've actually held them in my hands and used them. But, like any other well kept secret, no one seems to know about it until they actually need to know.
Your adorable baby can be wandering around your friendly pet store, sniffing where everyone else peed, while you walk around the corner. He's still on the leash - but so is that not very friendly eighty pound snarling thing whose owner is also around the corner. No supervision usually means trouble.
It also means trouble when your puppy eliminates in fright and you don't know because he's SO very far away from you. Those leashes will go from sixteen to thirty feet away. That's a good long area for them to romp and play at the park. It is unacceptable in a store full of people, with kids and dogs, distractions and noise. Yes, I realize some people just simply chose not to clean up after puppy, but most are responsible owners and will if they know what puppy did. (Naive thing that I am. )
Tangles. Also an issue. All string, all the time, all over the place. Under people's feet. Around other dog's necks, between your dog and those automatically closing doors. Just.....keep it Short. Or better yet, spend the $5 and buy a nice four or six foot nylon or leather leash for shopping. Please! The friendly folks at the pet store will appreciate you! So will the other shoppers. And your dog will be better off for your attention. Really. I know of what I speak.