Dogs Who Bite Their Leash – Causes and Solutions
It can be a hassle when a lively puppy grabs hold of the leash and behaves like he's caught a squirrel. Equally frustrating is when an adolescent dog treats a newly purchased leash as a new tug-of-war toy, dragging and yanking you around. Leashes can break, and walks become a chore.
Why do dogs bite the leash?
For the dog, biting, tugging, and pulling are effective ways to release energy, stress perhaps. But these are also predatory behaviors and may not be stress-related. A dog that wants to play may also bite on the leash, and we may accidentally reinforce this by playing with the dog or, worse, using treats as a distraction. If the leash biting behavior results in any attention (negative as well as positive), the behavior may, unfortunately, be reinforced by us. Some dogs bite the leash out of frustration. They may want to bite an oncoming dog but can't, so the leash becomes a substitute. Other dogs bite the leash to stop the walk; it may be too long, or their dog parents may walk too fast. Some dogs are just naturally oral and love to put things in their mouth, such as retrievers. They want to carry and showcase whatever they have in their mouth. In the absence of anything else, a leash is a good option, according to them.
Customized solutions for leash biting
Leash biting in understimulation
If leash-biting is due to understimulation, you need to do more than focus on fixing the biting. You must increase exercise and breed-appropriate activation/work to give your dog a reason to "behave". An unbalanced dog can't take on daily life with ease as there is none within. Therefore, meet your dog's needs. Increase the pace, go for longer walks, explore new surroundings, try a new dog sport. Your effort will give you a dog in balance, and the problematic behavior usually disappears without being addressed as the cause has been fixed. If you want to know more about leash training, read Everything You Need to Know About Leash Training Your Dog Correctly.
Leash biting in case of overstimulation
Another cause of biting on the leash is overstimulation. For example, if the days at doggy daycare are long, the playdates in the dog park are too wild, there is too much ball throwing going on (which winds dogs up), or if the dog is played with too rough by the children of the house. Then your dog risks being burdened by stress. High and/or prolonged stress is harmful. A stressed dog often barks, jumps, and bites a lot. The solution lies in creating a harmonious day-to-day life. The symptoms of biting on the leash seldom need to be addressed as they usually disappear by themselves. Both overstimulated and under-stimulated dogs benefit from relaxation training when on walks, activation and mind games (preferably search and scent work which calms dogs down), impulse control and focus training where compliance and contact are rewarded with positive reinforcement.
Leash biting as a play starter
If leash biting is the start of play or an attention-seeking behavior, cease playing with your dog when he/she bites the leash. Instead, place five toys and two leashes on the floor. The starting point for play is when your dog grabs a toy, never the leashes. When a toy is picked up, race after your dog or enjoy a game of tug-and-war. Act as you would if your dog is chewing on the leash. Your dog enjoys that energy and attention so make sure to associate it with chewing on appropriate things. If the leash is grabbed you want to stand still and wait for your dog's mind to change. Avoid associating the leash with stress and conflict or distractions. So ignore your dog and engage in a toy or chew bone lying around and your dog will soon do the same. When the message has been perceived indoors, take the concept with you on your walk. Bring the dog's favorite toy, be proactive, and prevent leash biting by suggesting play with the toy occasionally. Keep the toy hanging in your back pocket so that your dog can grab hold of it for some fun instead of biting on the leash. If your dog wants to grab something to play with, offer it, as this will prevent biting the leash. If your dog wants to grab something to play with, offer it, as this will prevent biting the leashor more tips on play, see Play with Your Dog – Strengthen Your Relationship!
Reward-based training against leash biting
Reward-based training involves figuring out the desired behavior, guiding your dog to perform it, and then reinforcing it. In the case of leash biting, it may require short daily training sessions with the leash as a prop. Place the leash on the floor or hold it in your hand. Give your dog a treat when he/she looks at the leash and then at you, when he/she stands still next to you when you take the leash off the hook, when your dog doesn't bite when you slowly move the leash towards him/her, when eyes and gaze are kept forward when you hook the leash to the collar, and so on. Show your dog that there are rewards to be earned, and sporadically reward the desirable behavior before the undesirable takes over. In this way, you can effectively get rid of the problem. Over time, phase out the rewards by first varying them with strokes and pats and vocal praise instead of treats. The routines will become your everyday life if you are consistent, regardless of treats.
Managing relapses of leash biting
If your dog has a relapse and starts biting the leash when you are out, it is good to have your dog hooked to two leashes. This allows you to let go of the leash the dog grabs hold of (as the leash no longer gives any pressure to pull on, the fun in the game is lost). Grab hold of the other leash and calmly continue walking. If the dog comes up next to you without biting the leash, praise, walk a few extra steps, and provide an optional thing to chew on, like a stick you find in the ditch or the toy brought along. A treat search afterward can help your dog to relax, or a few minutes of tactile massage.
Avoid leash biting in puppies
Do you have a puppy that chews on the leash? Maybe teething has begun, or your puppy is just getting used to the feeling of being on a leash. Pups prefer to run freely, explore and discover, not have troublesome straps in the way. See it from your dog's perspective. The same strategy applies: decide what you want your puppy to do when on a leash and reward the wanted behavior. Always carry a toy with you in your pocket to be proactive and play before biting on the leash. For more information on puppies and their biting, see Biting Puppies - Causes and Solutions.
When older dogs bite the leash
A visit to the vet is recommended if you have an older dog, an overweight dog, or a dog that suddenly starts pulling and biting on the leash. It is not uncommon for dogs in pain and/or can't handle the length of the walk to try to stop it. If so, listen to your dog. Let a veterinarian make sure they are alright and adjust the length or type of walks according to their needs and the vet's recommendations.
Be patient during leash training
It takes time to break a habit and to relearn. Let it take time. Be consistent and evaluate the effect after 2, 3, or 4 weeks. Film yourself on the walk and note down bite-free days in the calendar to gain perspective on progress. Hang in there, don't give up. With time and training, most things are resolved.
Practical tips for biting on the leash
- Get into hooking the leash to your dog's collar when he/she sits or lies down. Sitting/lying is more passive than standing up. Don't nag sit/ down as it creates stress. Guide, praise, and reward, so your dog understands what you expect him/her to do. Once a habit, you can fade out the treats, as the walk will be reinforcing enough. Starting your walks in a calm manner sets the standard for the rest of your journey.
- Young puppies should not exercise too hard. They should stroll and discover the outside world but not go for too long walks on hard surfaces. If you’ve been taking too long walks and your puppy bites the leash or refuses to walk, he/she is probably tired and trying to tell you something.
- Don’t pull on the leash if your dog bites it as this reinforces the behavior. Getting angry, pulling back, or yelling at your dog won’t teach your dog anything about the desired behaviors you’re after. Corrections and punishments only increase the stress and associate you and the leash with discomfort. Invest time in thought-through training instead. Your dog will thank you for the trust you build.
Instead, focus on proper training. Trust and respect will make the relationship and even the interaction flourish; your dog will thank you.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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