Dog Community

Intensive leash-chewing

Posted : 11/16/2006 11:59:15 PM

My pup is about 19 months old and his leash-chewing seems to be getting worse. I think it's my version of biting my nails when I'm nervous, although he seems to do it when he's very excited/stressed out/highly stimulated.

For example, in agility class today when not actually using the agility equipment he kept chewing on his leash like a maniac.

For the record I've tried bitter apple, hot sauce, and even vick's vapor rub on the leash to no avail :-(

Vinia

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:09:13 AM

Does he know "leave it" or "drop it"? If that doesn't work, perhaps you could give him something else to chew on when he gets excited?

I have a leash chewer too- I let her do it cos it gives me something to use as a reward when we're out on walks, and she spits it out when I ask her.

Catherine

Posted : 11/17/2006 12:30:25 AM

He knows "drop it" when we are playing tug-o-war but I have a feeling it won't work in these situations when he's so highly stimulated - basically he chews his leash whenever he's near other dogs for a bit of time and isn't allowed to play with them. But I'll try the "drop it" and see if it works. Thanks!

I guess I could bring part of a leash and give that to him when he starts trying to chew the one attached to him :-)

Sometimes I think he understands the leash is what is keeping him from the other dogs and so that's why he chews it, to break it in half on purpose!

Vinia

Posted : 11/17/2006 1:03:23 AM

He sounds like a clever dog [

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Good luck with it! Hopefully someone else will be along with more advice.

ladida

Posted : 11/17/2006 1:21:40 AM

Maybe you could buy a special toy that is only for walks. When he is on the walk you would have him play with his "special walk toy" rather than the leash. Try replacing the need to have something in his mouth with a toy.

Just an idea.

kpwlee

Posted : 11/17/2006 10:53:14 AM

ORIGINAL: catherinec

Sometimes I think he understands the leash is what is keeping him from the other dogs and so that's why he chews it, to break it in half on purpose!

Well I can assure that my 15 mo old dog understands that. He used to eat through his leash in seconds to free himself when he was young and we would have him in the yard on the leash.
And now if we are out walking and he wants to go in a different direction than me he grabs the leash and tries to take me the other way. It'd be cute if he wasn't so persistent [8D]

Scout in Canada

Posted : 11/17/2006 11:43:23 AM

Hi catherinec

As you know I am starting agility classes next week! Anyway the trainer said to bring a fave stuffed animal or squeaky and put it on a leash or string, so that I can dangle it and move it around to keep her occupied while waiting. I might bring the rope bone actually, Scout loves it. Maybe that would work. Or like you said, an item with similar texture to the leash.

brookcove

Posted : 11/17/2006 2:05:44 PM

a) Alternate chew toy, as others have mentioned.

b) Chain leash. [

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Catherine

Posted : 11/17/2006 8:33:35 PM

b) Chain leash. []

hehe, I'm almost about to resort to that! ok, not really :-)

That's a good idea about the toy on a string - maybe i'll try the rope, too, as that's kind of a tough consistency like the leash. I don't think I'll try the squeaky toy or else I might be a distraction to the rest of the dogs!