A system for automatically engaging with an animal, comprising: an automated spool with a motor for retracting a cable, a sensor for determining a current distance of extension of the cable, and non-transitory memory comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to: determine, via data from the sensor, that the animal has pulled the cable out to a predetermined distance； responsive to determining that the cable is extended to the predetermined distance, increase, via the motor, tension in the cable and pulling the animal toward the automated spool without exceeding a tension determined to be potentially harmful to the animal； determining a new distance, different from the predetermined distance； and iterating the steps of determining that the animal has pulled the cable to a given distance, increasing tension to pull the animal, and determining a new distance different from the given distance.
