Dog Community

leash manners

poissonrouge

Posted : 3/5/2007 8:59:32 PM

what is the most effective way to stop a dog from trying to play tug-of-war with the leash?

Shelby

Posted : 3/5/2007 10:35:04 PM

Depending on the dog, but most likely I'd say go back to basics and work on the training. If the dog has a favorite toy (ball on a rope, tug, etc.) try to hold the leash in one hand, and hold the toy up so the dog can see it, work on taking a few steps at a time keeping the dogs attention on you and every few steps give him/her the opportunity to play with it for a few seconds. Make the dog think that the toy could fly out at any given moment and it'll keep it's attention on you and where you're going rather than trying to bolt, tug, dash, whatever away from you.. it takes pratice and it usually only works if the dog actually has something that he really really likes.. if toys don't do it.. try treats.

Chuffy

Posted : 3/6/2007 6:26:41 AM

Do you mean he's biting at the lead and trying to play with it?

If it starts in the house I take the lead off, put it on the side and suspend the walk.

If it starts as I am walking down the road I stop and turn away from the dog. I don't indulge the behaviour by rising to it and responding to it. It usually stops within a couple of days because the dog realises that what he *really* wants (a walk) doesn't happen unless he walks nicely and doesn't prat about, jump up, mouth, or pull etc. Mind you, that's with dinky puppies so if your dog is a bit older it could take longer if the habit is ingrained, just be consistent.

In the short term you could spray the lead with bitter apple to discourage him from biting it. Or, get a chain-link lead. I doubt he will want to chew and bite on that!

Maxs Mom

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:19:44 AM

We had the same problem with our puppy. Our trainers suggested get a CHEAP leash and let the dog wear it in the house (all the time) so it isn't such a big deal. With time she just started leaving it alone. She still does a little but we try not to make a big deal over it and encourage her to walk with us and keep up. She ususally spits the leash out and focuses on what she is to do.

We thought about bitter apple or hot sauce but we saw that as a last resort if nothing else worked. It won't be necessary with Teddi.

Good Luck
Ann

spiritdogs

Posted : 3/6/2007 7:30:07 AM

Some pups, especially the retriever breeds, can be very persistent about this. I've seen a ten year old Golden whose owner still lets him carry one leash while being walked on another - talk about caving in to your dog LOL.
Anyway, if nothing else works, a bit of Vicks Vapo Rub on the leash will make it "icky" enough. But, I think it's better to clicker train the dog not to grab the leash. For more on clicker training, visit www.clickertraining.com; www.clickerlessons.com; www.clickersolutions.com.

Shelby

Posted : 3/6/2007 12:50:06 PM

lol silly me! I didn't read the question that way! I was thinking the dog was lunging at the end of the leash (you can tell what problems I've had can't you??) I've never had one that wanted to play with the leash but I have heard the let them wear it all the time thing. A friend of ours just got a GSD puppy (6 or 7 weeks old) and that was the advice that we gave him. (let him wear a cheap leash around the house) to acclimate him to it.

Xebby

Posted : 3/6/2007 1:03:41 PM

What worked for one of my dogs is I changed the leash to a cheap light metal chain that the dog did not like to bit. After a while of swiching between her normal leash and that one she lost intrest in biting the leash.