How to Stop Your Dog Biting Their Lead
If your dog loves to grab or chew their lead, you’re not alone! Lead biting is a common frustration for many owners — it can make walks stressful and even unsafe if your dog chews through the lead or spins out into the road while they’re biting it. The good news? With the right approach and a few smart tools, you can teach your dog that leads are for walking, not chewing.
Why Dogs Bite the Lead
Dogs bite their leads for a few reasons:
Excitement or frustration – they’re bursting with energy and need an outlet.
Playfulness – they see the lead as a fun tug toy.
Stress or overstimulation – especially in busy environments.
Understanding why your dog is biting helps you choose the right solution.
1. Redirect the Behaviour
When your dog starts to bite the lead, redirect their mouth to something more appropriate, like a toy or tug rope.
Keep a toy handy and offer it as soon as they start to mouth the lead.
Praise them for taking the toy instead — this teaches them that toys are for chewing, not leads.
The Pocket Powerball from Tug E Nuff works for most dogs and has a comfy bungee handle.
2. Use a Second Lead
A clever trick is to clip on a second lead. This lets you remove the tension (and therefore the fun) from the lead your dog is biting without losing control.
Attach the second lead to your dog’s harness or collar.
When they grab one lead, drop the tension on it completely while maintaining control with the other.
Most dogs quickly lose interest when the lead stops “fighting back.”
3. Try a Chain or Part-Chain Lead
Switching to a chain lead can help because the texture is much less fun to chew and it removes the rewarding feedback they get from tugging on soft material. It’s also much less likely to break so is a safer option while you work on resolving the behaviour.
If you prefer something more comfortable to handle (and less intimidating), Padme’s Apparel sell multiway leads that are part chain and part biothane — giving you the best of both worlds. They’re durable, easy to clean, and safe for dogs who tend to bite their leads. The range of colours means your lead-biter can still look cute and coordinated despite their bad habit. [This is NOT a sponsored blog, I know Coral personally and comissioned these leads to give my lead-biting clients more choice!]
Stay Calm and Consistent
Avoid shouting or yanking the lead away — this can turn it into a game or increase your dog’s frustration. Instead, stay calm, redirect to a toy, or use the second lead technique until they learn that biting doesn’t lead to fun or attention.
The Bottom Line
Lead biting is a habit that can be fixed with patience, redirection, and the right equipment. By staying consistent and setting your dog up for success, you’ll soon enjoy calmer, safer, and more enjoyable walks together.
