
Walks with your dog are supposed to be enjoyable for both you and your dog, but a dog that fixates on the leash can make walks extremely frustrating. So let’s break down why your dog bites the leash when walking (and what to do about it.)
There are a few primary reasons dogs bite the leash on walks:
- Age/Development: a little tugging and chewing on the leash is completely normal in the first 5-6 months of a puppy’s life. Puppies explore the world with their mouths, and this behavior is often outgrown in mild cases.
- Communicating a Need: we commonly see this behavior occur when dogs are being walked too long. Keep in mind that how long you should walk your dog varies based on your dog’s medical history, age, breed, and individual preferences.
- Frustration: another common reasons dogs bite the leash is rooted in frustration. This can occur when the dog is being turned back towards home and they’re not ready for the walk to be over, or if they’re trying to get to a stimulus like a person, dog, squirrel, etc. and the leash is preventing them from doing so.