7 Tips to Prevent Your Dog from Chewing Leashes

May 14, 2025

Only 25% of dogs receive regular training. This means that millions of dogs lack guidance on good behavior. So if your dog has a bad habit of chewing on his leash, you may need to seek help.

Leash chewing is a frustrating behavior that many dog owners often encounter. While it may seem like harmless play, this habit can cause some problems. In this article, OKYEPETS will introduce you to the disadvantages of chewing leash and take effective strategies to help you and your dog enjoy calmer and more enjoyable walks.

1. Disadvantages of Dog Leash Chewing Habits

a. Safety Hazards

When a dog chews on a leash, the leash may become damaged or weakened and may break unexpectedly during a walk. This may cause your dog to run into an unsafe environment.

b. Reinforcement of Bad Behavior

Leash chewing can become a self-rewarding habit if it is not controlled. The more your dog chews, the more he enjoys the feeling - and the harder it will be to break the habit later.

c. Difficulty in walking dogs

Dogs that frequently bite and pull on their leashes are often more difficult to control, resulting in chaotic and stressful walks. They are particularly troublesome in crowded or crowded places.

d. Equipment damage

Biting the leash causes the leash to wear out and may require frequent replacement, which is time-consuming and expensive.

2. Why do dogs bite the leash?

Attracting attention: When the owner is focused on the phone or talking to others while walking the dog, the dog attracts attention by biting the leash, which causes the dog to habitually bite the leash.

Feeling frustrated: When the dog is walking outside, it starts to bite the leash as soon as it encounters other dogs. This is because it produces alternative aggressive behavior when encountering inaccessible stimuli (other dogs, cats, etc.)

Overexcitement: The dog is overstimulated and bites the leash. For example, environmental stimulus overload (new environment, dense crowds) causes a surge of adrenaline and motor catharsis.

3. How to prevent your dog from biting the leash

a. Choose the right leash

Just like choosing a new dog collar, consider buying a leash that is better than the average dog collar. See – Dog Leashes: Which Type Is Right for Your Dog? –. If your dog likes to chew on the leash, use a leash made of durable materials like chain or leather. Some dogs don’t like the taste or texture of the leash and will stop chewing.

b. Provide chew alternatives

Sometimes, your dog may chew on the leash because they are not given enough stimulation and play time. Make sure your dog has appropriate toys or chews to distract them from their leash chewing instinct. Some toys even have treats embedded in them to make the dog try harder to win the leash. This can be a good strategy because it may make your dog tired of the simple leash.

c. Reward the behavior you want

When your dog is walking calmly and not chewing on the leash, reward him with treats or praise. Remember not to punish him for his bad behavior. This helps to build positive associations with the right behavior.

So, when you are on a walk, if your dog starts chewing on the leash, do the following:

Stop walking.

Distract him from the leash with treats.

Don’t reward him immediately.

Ask her to do an action, such as sit, stay, or look.

Reward her with treats.

d. Train “drop” or “leave” commands

Teach her commands like “drop” or “leave” with treats and consistent practice. These commands not only help with leash chewing, but also with other behaviors.

e. Keep walks interesting

Sometimes dogs chew on their leash out of boredom. Vary your walk, practice commands, or schedule short playtimes to keep their attention.

f. Avoid “tug-of-war” situations

If your dog grabs the leash, don’t pull back—it will feel like a game. Instead, calmly stop the walk and wait for him to let go before continuing.

g. Seek professional help if needed

If your dog’s leash chewing behavior is aggressive or persistent, a dog trainer or behaviorist can provide customized solutions.

3. Conclusion

Leash chewing may start out as a playful activity, but if left unchecked, it can lead to safety risks, training frustrations, and expensive equipment damage. Fortunately, with patience and the right strategies—like using a strong leash, distractions, and reinforcement for good behavior—you can successfully make this a habit. Consistency is key, and over time, you and your dog will be enjoying relaxing, enjoyable walks together.