Dog chewing on a leash

Sometimes owners complain that the dog chews on the leash. They try to pull the pet, yell at him, punish him, but the situation only gets worse. Why does a dog chew on a leash and what to do in this case?

Why does a dog chew on a leash?

1. The dog becomes overexcited and, in order to relieve tension, begins to gnaw on the leash.
2. It’s such a game. It’s boring on a walk, the owner stared at the smartphone, but then the dog pulled the leash with his teeth – and now the owner turned on and the entertainment began – tug of war. It’s fun! As a result, the person himself involuntarily trains the dog to chew on the leash.
3. The dog is uncomfortable on a leash. Perhaps due to unsuitable ammunition, or perhaps due to the fact that the owner did not pay enough attention to accustoming the dog to a collar (or harness) and a leash.
4. The puppy is teething and a leash is the only way to ease the pain.

What to do if the dog chews on the leash?

1. Make sure the harness is suitable for the dog. And if not, pick one that will not cause discomfort.
2. If it’s a matter of overexcitation, it is necessary to work on the condition of the dog, the ability to “keep himself in his paws” and relax. There are many useful exercises and games for this.
3. If you see that the dog is aiming for the leash (but hasn’t grabbed it yet), you can switch his attention and praise him.
4. On a walk, do not look for who is wrong on the Internet, but take care of the dog. Make the walk not boring for her. Organize the opportunity to direct physical and intellectual energy in the right direction, provide more variety. Play – but not with a leash. We have already written about how to do this more than once.

Thus, you will not just “wean” the dog from chewing on the leash – you will eliminate the cause of this behavior. Both you and the dog will be happier. If you can’t cope with the problem on your own, you can seek the advice of a specialist or use our video courses on raising and training dogs in humane ways.