Bringing home a new puppy is exciting. The cuddles, the photos, the tiny paws padding around your home. You quickly start learning their little quirks, from their favourite sleeping spot to the way they tilt their head when you say their name.
Then comes the first walk. Lead clipped on, tail wagging. It all seems perfect until your puppy decides the leash is the most interesting thing in the world. Suddenly you’re not walking, you’re playing tug-of-war. So how do you stop your puppy from biting the leash?
Why You Need to Stop Your Puppy from Biting the Leash
At first, it might seem harmless. They’re small, it looks cute, and it feels like part of playtime. But letting your puppy bite the leash can cause problems later on.
Here’s why it’s best to break the habit early:
It’s unsafe: A damaged leash could snap, putting your puppy and you at risk, especially near traffic or other dogs.
It encourages bad habits: If biting the leash is okay, your puppy might think chewing on shoes or furniture is fine too.
It gets expensive: Constantly replacing chewed-up leads adds up quickly.
It can hurt their mouth: Puppies’ teeth and gums are sensitive, and tugging or chewing on tough materials like nylon can cause discomfort or even minor injuries.
So while it might start off as a bit of fun, leash biting can turn into a costly, unsafe, and unhealthy behaviour if not managed early.
5 Ways to Stop Your Puppy from Biting the Leash
1. Redirect to a Toy
Bring a small chew toy on every walk. When your puppy goes for the leash, swap it for the toy. This helps them understand what’s okay to bite and keeps their mouth busy with something safe.
2. Use Training Commands
Teach basic commands like “leave it” or “drop it.” Practise these at home first with toys, then use them on walks. When your puppy listens, reward them with a treat or gentle praise. Positive reinforcement makes the lesson stick.
3. Reward Calm Walking
Don’t wait until they bite the leash to react. If your puppy walks nicely without grabbing at it, reward that behaviour with treats or a cheerful “good dog/boy/girl.” The more they associate calm walking with rewards, the quicker the biting will stop.
4. Stay Consistent
Everyone in your household should respond to leash biting the same way. Mixed messages only confuse your puppy. The more consistent you are, the faster they’ll learn.
Training tip: ✅ Keep sessions short and positive. Long or tense walks can frustrate both of you. Keep things light, and end on a good note whenever possible.
5. Choose the Right Leash
Some leashes are just more tempting to chew. Switching to a soft, comfortable material like nylon can make a difference, and a personalised one adds a stylish touch too.
The Pawz Please Leash Collection
At Pawz Please, we offer a range of dog leashes that will suit you and your pup’s style. From rope leashes offered in a myriad of colours, to our innovative pioneering nylon leash that extends by 20 cm, we’ve got something for every walk.
6. Keep Your Cool
Puppies are incredibly good at picking up on your emotions. If you get frustrated or tense, they’ll sense it and often get more excited or anxious in response. Stay calm, use a steady tone, and take a short break if needed. The calmer you are, the faster your puppy will mirror that energy and settle down.
Walking Towards Progress
Teaching a puppy not to bite the leash takes patience and repetition. There will be setbacks, but with time, consistency, and a calm approach, you’ll both get there. Before long, walks will be relaxed, enjoyable, and bite-free.