How to Stop Leash Biting – Puppy Training Sebastian
Taking your new puppy out to potty every hour is a lot, but taking a puppy out every hour who just wants to play tug-of-war with the leash can be quite frustrating! While it seems odd, leash biting is a very common problem in puppies. Some puppies bite the leash in an attempt to solicit attention or play from you. Normal walks can be boring for busy-body pups so they try to make things more interesting. On the other end, some puppies are biting the leash because they’ve never had one on before! Restraint is something some pups find very frustrating so in turn, they protest.
Whether your puppy just wants to play or has decided they don’t like the leash right now, here are some of the Do’s and Don’ts for reducing this behavior:
The Do’s of Stopping Leash Biting
DO: Leave a cheap (dollar store) leash on your pup whenever they are loose and supervised so they get used to having it on.
DO: Put two leashes on at once when going outside and when she bites one of them, let it go and just hold on to the second leash. Repeat as needed switching out which leash you’re holding. This takes the fun out of the tug game with the leash.
DO: You could temporarily try a chain leash to manage the behavior while rewarding her for walking nicely at your side.
DO: Keep a toy on hand so you can redirect your puppy’s biting to a more appropriate item.
DO: Be proactive! Bring treats and keep your puppy engaged so they aren’t thinking about chewing the leash.
How to Stop Leash Biting – The Don’ts
DON’T: Punish your puppy for biting the leash. This can make them even more reluctant to walk on leash with you.
DON’T: Yank the leash out of your puppy’s mouth. Not only can this hurt your pup’s mouth, but it can be perceived by your pup as you trying to play which encourages this behavior.
DON’T: Tug back on the leash when your puppy bites. If your pup is seeking playtime by tugging on the leash, you just rewarded it!
DON’T: Be reactive. Waiting for your puppy to bite the leash so you can react and discipline them is not setting them up for success.
The methods described above are sometimes useful as a quick way to help reduce the undesired behavior, but the best way to stop any poor behavior on leash is to train your dog in loose leash walking. Training a dog to walk on a loose leash is a longer process and takes some dedication but I promise you it will pay off! I highly recommend seeking help from a professional
Puppy Training Sebastian, Vero Beach, Treasure Coast, Florida
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