Biting and playing tug with lead when out

Hi, nico has decided his lead is a plaything! He's getting a hold of it once its on and chewing, I tell him to drop it and he will so i praise Him for doing what's he's told and he just grabs it again! Also when he's running about he tries to play tug with it, getting it in his mouth and pulling against me. He's got a long lead, tried that as there wouldn't be any tug in it ( as such) and my arm might stay in place. He still does it and it just gives him more lead to chew. He's too focused on this to do his business as well so he's back to having the occasional accident in the house   funny thing is though he doesn't do the tug thing with my o/ h only me!

Daisy used to get over excited on her lead and chew it, cost me a fortune !! so I got a chain bit to put on the end as she doesn't bother with that!

He may be testing you kellie to see what he can get away with that's why he's not doing it with your OH, I'd buy a chain piece like saz said he'll soon get board

My dog does this. He actually grabbed my trousers once in middle of park and kept tugging them. He wouldn't let go. I was laughing but it wasn't funny really get a chain lead.

I'm going to be different! I can't stand the chain leads. 

You could trying rubbing a little Vicks over the lead - they don't like either the smell or the taste. But the main thing is to keep on with training - the "drop" or "leave" - and go out and buy a huge amount of patience! 

I've bought some bitter apple spray, gonna try that on the lead, if that doesn't work Il try the vics, if all else fails then it will have to be a chain bit but I really want him to learn to behave better on the lead. It's frustrating because he walks beside me now ( albeit looking for treats) he knows his commands, even outside but just won't behave for long!

I had a similar problem with Jasmine. I changed to an extendable lead, and as it always taut, she ignores it now. Also, try taking a squeaky ball/toy to distract him, and play fetch with. We bought a kong sausage shaped squeaker which she LOVES, and it totally distracts her from everything else, even other dogs!

Caryll wrote:I'm going to be different! I can't stand the chain leads. 

You could trying rubbing a little Vicks over the lead - they don't like either the smell or the taste. But the main thing is to keep on with training - the "drop" or "leave" - and go out and buy a huge amount of patience! 

I tried a chain lead, but didn't like the look or feel of it. And to be honest, it didn't really work.

Yeah it would be a last resort to be honest! I don't like them either but if nothing else works I can see why folk need to use them. Tried the vics on the lead today. He still went for it but not as much, I only put a tiny bit on though. Maybe try putting a bit more on tomorrow and see how he goes.

His is an extendable lead as well!

The main reason I don't like the chain leads is that if, for any reason, you have to shorten the lead, you're holding on to chain. Now that's extremely uncomfortable and can be very painful! If your dog suddenly pulls, the chain will rip through your hand (it's very difficult to hold on to) and quite possibly tear great chunks out of your palms/fingers! Plus of course, your dog will still be right at the end of the lead creating havoc!

I've heard people say put none-toxic washing up liquid on but I wouldn't condone that! You could try chew detterant sprays? There's one in PAH for £3 which stopped my boy from chewing things, as well as him learning the boundaries when we first got him home. Have you tried desensitizing him to the lead? So he doesn't get into an excited fit? Try getting his lead and sitting with him, if he chews tell him off, when he stops praise him and hook the lead on, if he chews take it off and lay it back down; keep slowly progressing treating and rewarding accordingly so he knows no chewing and calmness means a fun walk with treats and a walk with pulling and chewing means being shouted at, going home early or not out at all! I hope this helps! Good luck, be a good boy Nico

Il try that as well Cody cheers

Oh god! Disaster! Just back from his walk, I've had to give him a time out, or myself to be more honest! He was awful! Kept chewing, grabbing and playing tug with the lead, at one point before I could retract it in again safely he had it wound round his head! I kept telling him to leave it and he did... For 2 seconds before starting again, feel like crying! Had to pull him in to get him to drop it coz he just thought it was a game, too excited I suppose! Hate pulling him!   

It sounds like you're on the receiving end of Nico's little game.
Retractable leads are amazing tools but can be a bit of a hindrance when training young-uns.
Just a suggestion....
Keep him close to you and correct him the instant he grabs for the lead even if he doesn't get it into his mouth. When he walks nicely give him another couple of feet of lead and praise him. This will hopefully associate good behaviour with a little more freedom. If he goes for the lead again, correct him and bring him all the way back again and repeat.

You really do need the patience of a saint with them at this age but it pays off if you stay consistent with him. Good Luck !!

Ohhh dear Nico you little tinker! have you tried walking him since this happened? Does he chew and pull the whole time he has his lead on or is it when he gets excited? Maybe if you can figure out what triggers this behaviour, or when he gets set off then maybe it'll help you combat his problem?

Or you could try a harness and a collar, with a double ended lead. Clip one end of the lead on the collar & one on the harness. If he grabs the lead near the collar, just control him with the other end & vice versa. If he can't tug the lead then he isn't getting the fun.

Had him out on the harness today, still trying his tricks but I just shortened the lead, made him sit till he was calm again then let him up keeping the lead short and letting it off a bit at a time as he behaved, giving lots of praise of good behaviour! Had to do this a few times but he seems to be trying it less now and catching on quick that pulling, tugging equals being made to sit and kept on a short lead when he wants to run. I'm gonna keep on with this and see how we go for now. Thanks for all the advice folks   got me seeing I was just playing right into his little paws!! Not anymore boyo!! Wish us luck!

Sounds like an improvement kellie good luck hope he keeps it up

Fab news! Well done to the both of you don't give up

Just a wee update folks, nico isn't even looking at his lead now, I'm not taking him on the retractable at the moment though and he's on the harness but this never used to stop him, thank you all for the advice  think he's turned a corner with this one 

Awesome

woop woop sound like you have cracked it

That's brilliant news! So glad things are working for you.