ANSWERS: 7
  • A dog bites the leash for several reason; •The leash makes a great teething toy. A teething puppy often can't resist the urge to chew on the leash, as it eases the pain and pressure in his gums. This is how the puppy usually gets started with the behavior of leash biting. Some "mouthy" dogs are also apt to experiment with leash biting simply due to their tendency to explore the world with their mouth. •The leash is a fun toy for tug of wars. Soon after the dog first starts biting and chewing the leash due to "mouthy" tendencies or puppy teething, he discovers that biting the leash is a great way to play tug-of-war. So leash biting for puppies often starts out as a result of teething (or simple exploration for older dogs) and it persists once the dog discovers how fun it is to tug at the leash. •Leash biting is a great way to get attention. Often, leash biting is an attempt to get attention. Does the dog seem to start biting the leash when he's no longer the center of attention (i.e. when the dog walker stops to speak to a neighbor)? If so, this is a dog who is biting the leash because he's bored and in need of attention. It's not uncommon for the dog to start biting the dog walker's pants, hands or shoes once the attention-getting behavior starts. Often, dogs will act in a destructive or naughty manner because they know the behavior will get attention; some dogs would rather have negative attention than no attention at all. •Leash biting is an experiment in dominance and control. Adolescent dogs in particular are prone to test boundaries in terms of dominance as they emerge from puppyhood and enter adulthood. In nature, this is when the dog would begin to find his place within the dog pack hierarchy, so he's naturally driven to test boundaries as a way to determine if he's more dominant than another pack member. This is another reason why it's important to stop leash biting and chewing; the dog views the leash as the extension of the dog walker's hand and therefore must be stopped before the dog's boundary testing behaviors progress. Read more: http://petcare.suite101.com/article.cfm/why_is_my_dog_biting_the_leash#ixzz0K9QesUPY&C
  • There is peanut butter spread on the leash.
  • Well I would say he's either doing it to be playful or he is doing it to assert dominance. I would have to see him do it to tell you for sure. Does it seem like he is being playful or is he being serious about it? Because if he is being serious then that is how dogs try to assert their dominance and show you that they are in charge and not you. So thats something you would definetely want to correct either way because even if he is just playing the leash is not a toy and he needs to respect the leash when you are walking him because that is the link between you and him and how you would correct him.
  • Because you let him. Don't turn it into a game.
  • Because it you take the leash away, he may decide to bite you on the butt.
  • don't know i have the same problem i take my pit bull out to play then when i think he is tired i grab the leash for him to go inside and then there is goes. He starts biting the leash and pulling back growling with his head down and butt up. He is only 9 mths and he does this every time
  • calicorey's answer is excellent. I just want to add that a dog will also bite the leash if he is not used to walking on one. Regardless of the cause, a dog behaviourist/trainer may be able to help.

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