Retractable leash and restraint assembly

A method of restraining an animal comprising:

• providing a strap member adapted to be secured around a portion of the animal;
• securing a pouch member to the strap member to form a collar assembly, where the pouch member defines a pouch chamber having a closed end and an open end, and
• the pouch member is attached to the strap member at the closed end;
• securing a retraction assembly to the strap member within the pouch chamber adjacent to the closed end of the pouch chamber;
• operatively connecting a cord member to the retraction assembly;
• operatively connecting a handle member to the cord member;
• retracting the cord member into the retraction assembly such that
• the cord member is taken up by the retraction assembly,
• a first portion of the handle member is within the pouch chamber, and
• a second portion of the handle member is outside the pouch chamber;
• and
• pulling the cord member from the retraction assembly such that at least a portion of the cord member is not taken up by the retraction assembly and the entire handle member is outside of the pouch chamber.

A restraint system for an animal comprising:

• a collar assembly comprising
• a strap member adapted to be secured around a portion of the animal,
• a first buckle member secured relative to a first end of the strap member,
• an adjustment member secured relative to a second end of the strap member,
• a second buckle member supported by the strap member adjacent to the adjustment member, and
• a pouch member secured to the strap member, the pouch member defining a pouch chamber having a closed end and an open end, where the pouch member is attached to the strap member at the dosed end;
• and
• a retractable leash assembly comprising
• a retraction housing secured to the strap member within the pouch chamber,
• a retraction member arranged within the housing adjacent to the dosed end of the pouch chamber,
• a cord member operatively connected to the retraction member, and
• a handle member operatively connected to the cord member;
• whereby the retractable leash assembly is operable in a retracted configuration in which
• the cord member is taken up by the retraction assembly,
• a first portion of the handle member is within the pouch chamber, and
• a second portion of the handle member is outside of the pouch chamber;
• and
• the retractable leash assembly is operable in an extended configuration in which at least a portion of the cord member is not taken up by the retraction assembly such that the entire handle member is outside of the pouch chamber.