How Do I Stop My Dog From Biting the Lead?
This is a common problem with puppies, but older dogs can also get into the habit of biting the lead when out for a walk. It’s a frustrating issue for owners and can occasionally be embarrassing. It can make for an unpleasant walk for all concerned if you have a puppy that refuses to let go of his, or her, lead. Holidays4Dogs offers some tips and suggestions on how to stop lead biting.
Puppies especially, while they are being lead trained, can be frustrated by the constraint of a lead because all they want to do is be free and explore their surroundings. As a result, many resort to biting their leads. Stopping lead biting, however, can be frustrating for many owners.
Some breeds are more inclined to display lead biting behaviour. Terriers, for instance, can be quite feisty on the end of the lead. Their instincts are to chase and kill prey, so when they are in a heightened state of excitement, they can transfer this to lead biting and tugging.
There are a few different techniques for stopping your dog from biting his lead. However, you may need to be a little patient, especially if your pup has been biting the lead for some time. It is important that any methods you use to discourage lead biting are positive and force-free only.
Teach calm behaviour while standing still.
The first thing to do is to teach your dog to be calm while he is having his lead attached to his collar, or harness. This will go a long way to stopping your dog from lead biting.
Clicker training is an excellent way approach issues such as lead biting . Begin by touching the lead and click and treat for calm behaviour, (no jumping up, or spinning allowed).
Next pick up the lead in your hand and again, click and treat for your dog remaining calm. If your dog gets excited, put the lead down and walk away. The final aim is to get your dog to have his lead attached while sitting nice and still. Click and treat for quiet behaviour.
On the move.
Try tasty treats such as tiny pieces of cheese, or liver, and distract your dog from the lead chewing. The second they let go of the lead, click and treat.
Avoid pulling back on the lead as this may end up becoming a fun game for the puppy. If it is safe to do so and you know your pup won’t run off, drop the lead on the ground.
If your dog begins to chew and tug at the lead, let it go slack or better still (if you know they won’t run off), drop the lead altogether. Pulling back on the lead, or trying to prise it from the mouth, will almost certainly make the dog tug harder. To your dog this becomes a very rewarding game! If you think your dog might run off, use a long line.
Another good tip to stop your dog from lead biting is to teach your puppy the “leave it” command. Once your dog understands the leave it command, use this as a signal for him to drop the lead. Reward when he does so.
Substitute lead biting for something else your dog can chew, such as long tug toy, or a ball on a rope. You can teach this separately from being on the lead. Teach a cue (word) to play with the tug toy and when to “leave it”. Take the toy with you when you go on a walk, use it as a reward for not chewing the lead.
Conclusion.
Stopping your dog from lead biting can be frustrating. However, with patience, it is usually possible to resolve the problem. The more you can reward the behaviour you want, the less the chewing behaviour will occur. Eventually, the behaviour should stop altogether. It may take a bit of time and patience, but it will be well worth it, for a tangle free walk!
