Why Your Dog Bites Their Leash

Taking your dog out for daily strolls may not always be a walk in the park—especially if Fido is constantly chomping down on their leash. With enough patience, persistence, and training, you can easily undo this frustrating habit. First, however, you must understand the stimuli behind the behavior in action.

Careful evaluation of why a specific behavior is recurring can help a dog owner solve the problem with ease and efficiency. Let’s get to the root of the behavior and discover why your dog bites their leash. More than one explanation could provide some clear answers and counteractions.

Playful, Excitable Behavior

Dogs are simply playful, social creatures. Frolic behavior is in their blood as pack animals. A majority of dogs tend to see outdoor walks as a means of playtime, and they may tug on the leash as a type of social conduct. Rather than acting out, biting their lead is an evident invitation to play and entertain.

Such leash biting may be frustrating to an owner, but a dog simply views it as a fun activity. To counteract this playful behavior, it’s best to explore new ways to divert your dog’s attention and make other games and activities more rewarding. Don’t forget to supply them with more interactive toys as an alternative energy outlet.

Attention-Seeking Behavior

Another reason why your dog bites their leash is that they want your undisputed attention. Similar to children who cry for attention when their mom is on the phone, dogs are prone to crave attention no matter whether their behavior is positive or negative. Latchkey dogs will lash out and bite their leash because they know their behavior will grab their owner’s attention, even if they get punished for it.

To best counteract this behavior, supply your dog with heaps of attention. Reward your dog for their good behavior with treats and affection to compensate for your hyper-attention to their bad behavior. Engage in different bonding activities to encourage them to act admirably outside of mere everyday walks.

Overstimulated Behavior

Dogs who tend to bite their leash may find themselves overwhelmed or overstimulated by their environment. This specific behavior is rooted in fear, anxiety, confusion, and conflict. These dogs are often not aware of how to cope with the sights and smells of their surroundings, and they bite on their leads as a coping mechanism. Dogs that act this way tend to have past experiences in a shelter or present experiences where they are left home alone too often. This behavior is also quite common with younger pups who are still learning the ropes.

A gradual introduction to stimulation is the optimal way to counteract this negative behavior for good. Calm settings, efficient interactions, steady rewards, and good training equipment are critical techniques and tools. Here at Julius-K9, we are custom dog harness manufacturers who supply high-quality equipment and accessories to help train all types of dogs. To enhance your relationship with your own dog, check out our specialized products today—durability and comfort are guaranteed.