Biting the Leash!?!?!?!

[austin]

I need suggestions. My 1 year old female has a new bad habit. When we take her for walks (we have been working on the "heel" command and she's progressing very nicely with that), she will- out of the blue- start twisting around until she gets the leash in her mouth. I'll say "no" or "let go", and she either will- only to grab it again immediately- or she'll start backing away with a low growl like she's playing tug-of-war (no, we don't play tugging games with her). This goes on for a few minutes and then as quickly as it started, she'll return to walking along calmly. The closest thing I can compare it to is a child having a temper tantrum. She is not an aggressive dog at all, but I can only imagine what my neighbors must be thinking right about now. I'm also worried that it might lead to other aggressive behaviors. We have enrolled in obedience classes, but they don't start until the end of the month and I don't want this to go on that long. Has anyone else had this experience, and does anyone have suggestions of a way to correct this behavior?

[RottiMomCT]

I'm thinking she might be having about of the puppy 'sillies'. Even at a year old she'll still have the puppy like behaviors. She might just want to play games instead of working on her obedience. I've found that my almost 3 yr old male gets bored very easily if he's done something correct and I keep asking him to do it again.

Do you carry treats with you on your walks? If so, when she starts grabbing at the leash, tell her "Leave It!" and wave a treat in front of her nose. When she lets go of the leash, praise her and give her the treat. Use small, soft treats so you can continue walking (I use Bil-Jac treats-my boy swallows 'em whole!), and each time you catch her about to go for the leash, tell her to "Leave it" and praise her.

You don't have to use treats each time, just while she's learning. While out practicing, treat every other time or every third time...she'll learn to anticipate the treat ("Maybe I'll get one if I do this right...!!"). The trick is to catch her before the leash is in her mouth.

Good luck!! :)

[Judi W]

Your walking is becoming a bit boring and she's trying to liven it up a bit. I will deliberately use leash tug for a stress-relief/reward after some serious training, but I know that is not what is happening here. Seriously, make your walks a bit more entertaining. After a bit of walking do some running, play, fast turns and a bit of fun. Then back to the more sedate stuff. Make yourself more interesting.

[tomsdog]

My dog does the same thing. She just turned a year old. When we are walking if a big truck comes down the street she will turn and bite on the lead. Cars don't bother her only the sound of big trucks. I don't know if they scare her or just exite her.

[jesse2001]

A smudge of Tabasco sauce or the like on the lead will stop that quickly. She is a teenager just like our Jesse and she is going through the same stage.

[nontocchi]

Sable (4 months) loves to go on walks and doesnt pull all that much, but she has bit the leashe since the first time we ever put her on one - like she's walking herself. She HATES bitter-end and will stop chewing anything we spray it on, but even that doesn't stop her from biting her leash. She has one leash almost in 2 (not used for walks anymore, just puppy class b/c it has a grip on it) and another that she's already laid into. Our trainer suggested some of what you all have said, and we've tried one thing after another, but still to no avail. We havn't tried tobasco sauce though - I'll have to put it on the shopping list :)

Anyway, since she is on the last hole of her second collar and has to get a new collar anyway (and I haven't seen a rhinestone collar any bigger than the one she's wearing) any suggestions for a good collar and leash that will still make her apear cute and stylish (haha) and yet she wont be able to tear through it like she did the nylon ones? My husband has suggested leather but I am wondering if she'll eat it rather than just chew through it?

[WorkinDogz]

I think this is one of the only things I've come acrossed to date that Judi and I don't "do the same" :(

I don't allow my dogs to mouth the lead. Period.

Sometimes when you're training and the dog is either getting bored (means you made your session too long or haven't done your job in keeping the drive alive) or are working on a particularly stressful exercise (I don't consider "heel" to be one of them) then the dog might either trying to liven things up a bit; or release some of the stress.

I've worked with dogs that found the leash grabbing thing a perfect way to buffalo their owner and divert attention away from training.

I correct verbally for this (since the leash is in the dogs mouth) and will take the collar; give "NO SIT" remove the lead from the dogs mouth; and when I have attention I'll reward with praise/food.

Now what Judi and I DO the same is play tug (although she uses the lead and I use a jute roll) periodically within a training session.

Leash grabbing is a serious offense to me. I don't think it's the least bit cute (at any age) nor will it ever be acceptable to me.

If your dog is eating his/her collar.....the collar isn't fitted properly!

The answer isn't buying new leashes; but conditioning the dog that grabbing the leash is NOT acceptable. This is no different that the dog grabbing a pantleg on a walk. Would you accept that? No, I didn't think so.

It really is ok to be stern with your dogs and NOT allow behaviors like this.

[Judi W]

Actually, I don't have dogs that mouth the lead either, (they don't have time for that :)) although I do use it for a play stress reliever at breaks. The point I was trying to make is that the dog was trying to liven up the heeling and it is the handler's job to make it interesting.

Now, with little pups just learning the leash, I have a small wooden dowel I will give them to carry when I have one who seem to have feet that move better when they have something in their mouths. That is the babies.

Often also, the leash grabbing is because the handler has a bunch of swinging leash waving in front of the dog and they need to learn to manage their leash better.

[WorkinDogz]

Oh thank goodness, Judi.

Strike that "this is one of the only things Judi and I don't do the same :( " thing then. :D :D

I agree :) :)

Leash management is very technical and for those who are "all thumbs" it can get downright frustrating.

I'd just rather see a dog carrying anything BUT a leash in their mouth when they're out for a walk.... and like you did say (and I just noticed ) the "stress of training" and the leash biting isn't what appears to be happening here....

Looks more like permissiveness and failure to be consistant where the leash-in-the-mouth thing is concerned.

[RottiCapone]

I tried the Tobasco thing and my dog stopped when he smelled it and then liked the leash like it was the best thing ever. It did not work on Capone he thought I gave him some tasty treat.

[Judi W]

I guess I can somewhat understand using a noxious substance for something the dog is worrying when you are not around. I do not understand someone who is right there, holding on to the leash, that is unable to communicate with the dog that what it is doing is unacceptable. Anything to avoid asserting yourself? Some on, stand up for your rights! You are entitled to take the leash and take the dog somewhere on that leash without the dog interferring by biting, grabbing, pulling......... you get the idea

[nontocchi]

Good point, lol. I guess it never bothered me that she did it until I realized that her leash was ruined. I'm so firm on her with so many other things that she has since stopped doing (like carefully removing one leaf at a time from an indoor tree)... I guess it's time to firm up on this issue too! Thanks for the slap on the wrist - I needed it! lol

[Judi W]

Well, I often think much the same thing when someone complains they can't get their 8 or 10 week old puppy to stop biting them and it hurts! I think, good grief! If you can't manage to protect yourself from a little pup what are you going to do with a 100 pound adult! Then before I totally despair, I page on..............

[uclachady]

I have a 4 year old Rottie. When he was first on walks he also would play with the leash. I would just say NOT TOY. NOT MAX'S MINE. and stop walking and stand still until he let go. I used vebal praise and hug. This would happen very quickly since he loves his walks. Now I only have to say get my leash, and we're off.

I did have a problem with an adopted neighbor's dog. He was almost two and had never been walked (used to run the hills). Used same method, and after about three weeks,his response was the same as Max's both for me and his owner.

Rotts are pretty smart. If they want to do something bad enuf they will "suffer" the rules. Max's mom.