It is quite common to notice that some dogs bite when walking. Many times, it is usually a behavior that occurs in puppies, but if we do not provide our furry with adequate guidance during this stage, it is most likely that it will continue to do so as an adult. This behavior can be very unpleasant, since if your dog bites the leash, it means that you have probably had to buy more than one because it ends up breaking them easily.
For this reason, if you are interested in knowing why your dog bites the leash and you want to find a solution, we invite you to read this article on our site, in which we can help you.
Why does my dog bite the leash when walking?
This behavior usually begins at an earlier age, that is, it is possible that your puppy bites the leash or has done so during this stage and you have not been able to solve it effectively, so now your adult dog is still performing this behavior. Let's see then, what are the most common causes in both puppies and adults:
Game and instinct
The puppy usually bites due to its irrepressible desire to play with everything that moves and its curiosity and need to interact with the environment. This game is part of his instinct, ie the leash is perceived as preyto catch. It is also common for us to observe how it plays, shaking it from side to side and trimming it, movements associated with this hunting instinct. In adults, this instinct is also present, but through proper education, the behavior of trying to grab the leash can be corrected. If this is not done, it is possible to observe that the dog jumps and bites the leash to catch it, especially when it is in motion.
Similarly, this behavior can be seen in adult dogs that are bored Lack of stimulation creates a nervous mood and the need to entertain himself with what he finds interesting, in this case, the leash. Normally, dogs with this problem tend to be quite destructive in general, not only breaking the leash, but other household objects as well.
It is also possible that you have felt threatened if sometime your dog bites the leash and growls at youThe explanation for being rejected is usually due to various factors, but mainly it is because your furry friend needs to protect the leash Therefore, he is afraid that take away and cut off his entertainment, plus he instinctively wants to prevent you from stealing his prey. This situation tends to get worse if you have ever scolded him, since as a consequence you have become a threat to him. The protection of resources with objects such as the leash or the collar is not usually common, but it can happen. For this reason, we recommend you consult this article if this is the case with your dog: "The possessive dog - Protection of resources".
Toothache
Puppies during the teething period need to relieve the pain caused by the growth of their teeth, biting various objects around you. For this reason, your puppy can bite the leash if it is within its reach, just like the collar.
For more information on how to teach a puppy not to bite, we recommend you read: “How to teach a puppy not to bite?”.
Doesn't like the leash
In the event that he has not been properly taught or accustomed to walking on a leash since he was a puppy, it is natural to observe that your dog bites the leash in anger. In a certain way, we can understand it as a “rebellion”, since it is really frustrating for your dog not to have the freedom of movement that they would have without being tied and, on top of that,, you must be under constant pressure on your neck or your entire body (depending on whether you are wearing a collar or harness). If your dog has not learned to walk calmly and without pulling on the leash, which can cause pain, it is completely normal for him to bite the leash when putting it on and during the walk. This state of confusion and discomfort creates a state of stress in the dog that redirects by biting the leash.
Is it okay for my dog to bite the leash?
This behavior can pose a risk to your dog's physical he alth, since if your puppy bites the leash while you're away watching, you could accidentally swallow a piece and could injure yourself or even choke.
If your dog bites the leash when walking, it also poses a risk because he could have an accidentif he breaks it and run away. He could run off and cross the road or even pose a risk to others if, for example, he approaches a fearful dog or accidentally knocks someone to the ground.
What to do if my dog bites the leash?
As we have seen, this behavior can be inconvenient on a day-to-day basis with our dog, especially when out for a walk. Fortunately, whatever the cause of your dog chewing on the leash, there is a solution.
Prevent your puppy from chewing the leash
First of all, if your dog is still a puppy, you should redirect this behavior as soon as possible in order to avoid future problems. For this reason, when you notice that your furry friend plays with the leash or bites it to relieve the pain of dental growth, you will have to stop the game in a friendly way To do this, follow these steps:
- Grab the leash so I can't continue playing with it.
- Encourage him to play with a similar toy, for example, by shaking a suitable rope next to him.
- Once he bites the right object, reward him by playing with him with the rope, with treats or sweet words.
If you are consistent with this habit, your puppy will end up understanding that the leash is not fun, but that it has other more interesting and rewarding alternatives. On the contrary, if you take your puppy off the leash without giving him any alternative, scolding him, etc., you will only achieve the opposite effect, that he growls at you when you want to remove the leash from his mouth, that he tries to hide… These steps and tips are also applicable to recently adopted adult dogs that exhibit this behavior.
Covers all your needs
Another cause, related to the above, is the fact that the dog is bored If your dog has no toys at home or perform physical and mental exercises that keep him busy, in the end, he will end up looking for his way of entertaining himself, among them, biting whatever is within his reach. As guardians, we must understand that each dog has its specific needs in order to guarantee adequate well-being, there are dogs that are more active than others and, therefore, knowing the physical exercise that our dog needs each day will be essential. In addition, the environmental enrichment at home will also be relevant, so you should provide cognitively demanding activities.
Desensitization and counterconditioning
Last but not least, when this behavior is due to poor learning to use the leash and, during the walk, the animal develops an aversion to it, you will have to teach progressively Tell your dog that the leash is not a punishment through procedures called "desensitization and counterconditioning." This process will consist of putting the collar and leash on your dog for a short time and rewarding him at the moment, so that you will make associate the fact of wearing a leash as something positiveLittle by little, you will increase the time that your dog is on the leash, as you see that he is not bothered.
In turn, you must teach him to walk properly in order to get him to understand what the walk consists of and prevent him from constantly pulling the leash, causing long-term stress and pain. To teach him this routine, first practice indoors, moving around with your furry dog on a leash and successively rewarding him to stay by your side. When the leash tightens because it has gone too far, stay still and call your dog to reward him again when he comes to you. As he learns this behavior, you can increase the difficulty by adding items of interest to him outside of his range (such as another person). In this way, when it wants to go to that element, you must call it (with patience) and reward it when it comes to you.
As you gain control of the situation, you should practice this activity outside the home in places where there are not many distractions to ensure that your dog will watch over you. To learn more about how to teach a dog to walk on a leash, you may be interested in reading: “Teaching an adult dog to walk on a leash.”
Go to an ethologist
If you can't correct the behavior and your dog continues to bite the leash and even growls and bites you, we recommend that you go to a veterinarian specialized in ethology to evaluate the situation and tell you what to do. A dog trainer can also help you.
