At most, only 25% of dogs get regular training. That means millions of dogs have no guidance on good behavior.
So, if you’re a proud dog owner and have a problem like your dog biting the leash, you might need help.
When your lovely dog keeps chewing leashes, the costs and frustrations increase and it can become a nearly unchangeable behavior.
Today, we’ll show you seven important tips to stop your dog from destroying leashes during walks.
Why Stopping Your Dog from Biting the Leash Is Important
When a dog chews a leash, you might not care at first. You might think it’s just a disposable accessory.
“No big deal!” you might say. “I’ll just buy another one.”
But this behavior can:
Cost you a lot in the long term
Cause a frustrating relationship between you and your dog
Lead to other bad behaviors
In the end, whether you care about the condition of your dog leashes or not, leash biting isn’t a behavior you want to continue.
It can turn into your dog biting and chewing other things in your home or car. Also, dog bites should be prevented to avoid your pet biting a stranger.
Training your dog is important to set limits so they know what they can and can’t do. It keeps them safe, even if it’s just to stop them from biting the leash.
1. Don’t Pull Back
There could be many reasons why your dog is biting the leash. But one important thing is not to pull back.
It’s possible your dog is playing. Think about the toys for your dog. Whether it’s a fluffy animal or a piece of string, your dog is encouraged to bite, tear, and pull all day.
Unless you’ve trained them differently, your dog might see a walking leash as the same. So it’s crucial not to pull back if that’s your first reaction.
Your dog might wrongly think you’re playing with them and that you’re “in the game.”
2. Choose High-Quality Leashes
Just like when choosing a new dog collar, consider getting a better leash than usual.
Whether it’s made of better material or customized for your dog, it’ll be something you value more.
And if you value the leash more than others, as the owner, you’ll be more motivated to stop the leash biting.
3. Reward the Desired Behavior
If you want to know how to stop your dog from biting the leash, remember to reward the behavior you want. Don’t punish the bad behavior.
This is similar in almost all other types of puppy training.
Your dog will respond better to positive reinforcement.
So, when you’re walking and your dog starts to chew the leash, do this:
Stop walking.
Use a treat to draw her attention away from the leash.
Don’t give her the treat immediately.
Make her do a trick, like sit, stay, or look.
Give her the treat to reward that behavior.
Repeat these steps as often as needed.
By following these steps consistently, you’re training your dog that they’ll be rewarded for the behavior you want.
You don’t give her the treat right away when she stops chewing and pulling the leash, because then she’ll think the reward is for the biting.
Instead, your dog knows she’s rewarded for sitting, staying, lying, or whatever else you’ve trained her to do.