by Jolanta Benal, CPDT-KA, CBCC-KA
Heres a common problem. Youre trying to walk your dog on leash, but instead of keeping her feet on the ground like a civilized canine, shes constantly bouncing up, grabbing the leash and playing Tug with it. Sometimes, youre reduced to shouting No! No! Dogalini, stop it! which -- surprise! -- doesnt seem to do any good.
Dog Trainer to the rescue!
The first thing to bear in mind is that behavior tells the truth. If your dog grabs and tugs on the leash while youre walking her, she really, honestly does like holding things in her mouth and playing Tug. The kind of game she likes is not a problem. The problem is that shes playing that game in an inconvenient and annoying context and one thats potentially dangerous. A strong young dog can pull the leash out of your hands, or even take you off your feet.
Why Reprimands Dont Stop Leash-Grabbing
One reason reprimands dont work is that playing is a social activity. Social behaviors are usually reinforced by the attention we give them, even if its annoyed attention. Most of the time, when I see someone with a dog who plays Leash Tug, the script goes more or less like this:
[Dog is walking with all four feet on floor and nothing in her mouth. Person holding leash is silent and doesnt look at Dog or interact with her.]
[Dog grabs leash and gives a yank.]
Person: Dogalini! Stop it! [Person pulls leash to get it away from Dog. Dog tugs back.]
Person: Dogalini! I said quit! [Startled, Dog lets go of leash.] [Alternatively, Person pries Dogs mouth open and extracts leash.]
[Dog walks 3 or 4 paces with all four feet on floor and nothing in her mouth. Person holds leash silently, not looking at Dog or interacting with her.]
[Dog grabs leash and gives a yank.]
Heres how to change that picture.
Tip #1: Reward Your Dog Whenever She Isnt Leash-Grabbing
On walks, lavishly reward Dogalini with attention and treats whenever she is not grabbing the leash. Clicker training is excellent for this purpose, because you can use that quick, distinctive noise to mark out for your dog exactly what behavior youre rewarding. When you have had some practice with the clicker you can mark and reward in a super-rapid-fire way also an advantage with fast-moving leash tuggers.
Heres an important point: Bring those treats down to your dogs mouth level! If you deliver them high up, so that she has to hop or jump for them, you wind up rewarding hops and jumps. If your dog gets grabby about treats you can drop them on the ground right in front of her, or use a treat-feeding tube.
If your dog grabs and pulls the leash, youre getting reliable information about what kinds of games he enjoys. Use that knowledge to change his behavior.
What to Do When Your Dog Grabs the Leash Anyway
Especially early on in your re-training, your dog will almost certainly still grab the leash sometimes. Since any attention you give that behavior probably winds up rewarding it, your goal is to make the result as boring as possible for her.
Heres one trick: Attach two leashes to your dogs collar and let one drag while you hold the other. Then, if she grabs the leash youre holding, you can pick up the second leash and drop the first. If nobodys holding the other end of the leash your dog is tugging, shes thwarted in her attempt to start a game.
Another possibility is to get one of those old-fashioned choke chains. Please do not actually put it on your dogs neck! Attach a double-ended clip or a carabiner to the metal loop at one end of the choke chain and use it to clip the choker to the leash attachment on your dogs collar. Then attach the leash clip to the other end of the choke chain. Now theres a length of metal in between your dogs collar and your actual leash; if she bites the leash, she gets a mouthful of metal, which is not tasty, resilient, or fun to chew.
A chain leash will also work for this purpose, but a four-foot or six-foot chain leash is heavy and believe me, it gets uncomfortable to have that weight dragging off your hand after a mile or two. Plus, you wont need the choke chain forever, and when youre done with it you can repurpose it as a plant hanger.
Tip #2: Give Your Dog Legal Chances to Chew and Tug
As I said earlier in this article, if your dog is grabbing and pulling the leash, that gives you trustworthy information about activities that he enjoys. Hes not just pretending to like to chew and tug. If youre a regular to these articles, you already know whats coming next: the advice to lose your dog bowl and instead use chewable food-dispensing puzzle toys.
Even Your Dog Doesnt Want to Chew and Tug All the Time
No matter how much we enjoy an activity, we eventually get to the point where weve had enough of it, and the same goes for your dog. If you give him ample opportunity to get his chewing and tugging ya-yas out, he will have less interest in grabbing the leash. If he has less interest in grabbing the leash, then you will see more behavior that you can reward. The more you reward his non-leash-grabbing behavior, the stronger that polite behavior will be. If youve ever heard people speak of a virtuous circle the opposite of a vicious circle well, this is one.
One last point: Any time a dog makes a habit of an excited, physically vigorous behavior that is a problem for his person, its a good bet he could use more aerobic exercise. Exercise wont solve your problem, but if your dog has had a good solid off-leash romp he will be less inclined to bounce and grab when hes on leash again. Like giving him legal outlets for his mouthiness, exercise helps set him up to behave calmly and learn self-control.
Investments are not FDIC Insured. No Bank Guarantee. May Lose Value.
Investing in securities involves risks, and there is always the potential of losing money when you invest in securities.
Before investing, consider your investment objectives and Betterment's charges and expenses.
Not an offer, solicitation of an offer, or advice to buy or sell securities in jurisdictions where Betterment and Betterment Securities are not registered.
Dog with Leash and Dog Playing Tug images from Shutterstock
Sales Page: http://ouo.io/CF5S8u
Download: http://ouo.io/AplwQR (100% OFF)
Does your dog think walks are time to play Tug with the leash? Learn what to do if your dog bites the leash during walks.
Puppy Training and Play Biting - 101 Dog Training Tips
Puppy Training Play Biting : Join our newsletter/list for dog training tips , dog behavior When interacting with your puppy or dog don't make quick
Dog Training Obedience Training for Dogs - WebMD
WebMD discusses dog training including tips and tricks and what not to do when training your dog. Dog Leash Training; Dogs and Jumping Dog Bites. 5. Dog
How to Stop Leash Biting - Dog Tips, Care & Training
Dog Tips, Care & Training. Home; Recent; Supplies; Dog Care; New Dog; Three Legged Dogs; How to Stop Leash Biting. only ends the walk and gets him a quick
The Dog Trainer, Quick and Dirty Tips
Quick and Dirty Tips : The Dog Trainer explains how to get the polite Then her family's second dog, Muggsy, also a stray, turned out to bite when he
Dog Obedience Training Tips For Your Dog - The Dog ...
Dog Obedience Training Tips For Your Dog If you ever wish to stop receiving our dog training tips, Dog Potty Training | Dog Obedience Training | Leash
How To Stop A Dog From Chewing Leash | Walking a Dog | Puppy Obedience Training Videos
If you've been wondering how to stop a dog from chewing leash (while walking a dog) watch this short clip, one of the many puppy obedience training videos
Cesar Millan Puppy Training Biting Tips | Dog Training ...
Cesar Millan Puppy Training Biting Tips Puppy Mill Dog On A Leash Puppies and start puppy training. Here are some quick tips on the steps to
Care Tips for English Bulldogs on Pinterest | Bulldogs ...
Care Tips for English Bulldogs. Dirty Bulldog, Pup Dogs, Awesome Bulldogs, Dirty Dogs, Bulldog Beauties, The Dog Trainer : Biting the Leash :: Quick and Dirty
Dog Training To Stop Your Dog's Behavior Problems
I created "Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer!" to be the quick and Weekly Dog Training Tips E All you need is a 6 foot leather leash, a training