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Offline Archie bean

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lead chewing
« on: February 21, 2012, 06:12:26 PM »
Archie has always tried to have a little bit of a chew on his lead right at the end of a walk when we get home, just before I take it off - between car and house or on the last stretch of road up to the house if we don't go in the car. I've used treats and the drop command to try to get him to stop but in the last couple of days its got much worse. He's trying it earlier and is grabing it and growling and jumping up. Treats and the drop command are not working (he has actually started ignoring the drop command all the time to be honest. I'm worried about his teenage attitude to training in general.  :'( ) Today I had to struggle with him on the pavement for nearly 15 mins before I managed to get him to walk into the house. He's fine when we leave and on the walk so I guess it's a "I don't want the walk to be over" thing. Should I just let him walk in holding the lead in his mouth (?!) or do you think a harness might help? I'm guessing that if the lead is attached to a harness behind him it won't be so easy to grab. He's just started guarding toys too and is turning into a right little  >:D He's 6 months old so I reckon I might have a real battle on my hands to get through the teenage phase with my sanity intact. Please tell me it gets easier!!!!!
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Offline seaangler

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Re: lead chewing
« Reply #1 on: February 21, 2012, 07:45:18 PM »
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Offline RegalRustyCharm

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Re: lead chewing
« Reply #2 on: February 21, 2012, 08:14:25 PM »
I was wondering about this too recently.
Thanks for the link seaangler
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Offline Nicola81

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Re: lead chewing
« Reply #3 on: February 24, 2012, 02:41:31 PM »
Dexter is exactly the same, wants the lead in his mouth when he knows he is on the home stretch and actaully chewed through one.  Got him a harnness and the little ninja that he is still manages to get it in his mouth!   >:(  I have taken to taking a piece of his old lead out with me to give him when we are near home.  He takes it and trots along nicely but I am not sure that this is the best thing to do as its not solving the problem!
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Offline Karma

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Re: lead chewing
« Reply #4 on: February 24, 2012, 03:16:15 PM »


Spaniels are bred to retrieve, so carrying something is a natural instinct.
There's nothing wrong with giving a dog something to carry to meet this need, especially if it prevents an unwanted behaviour.

As far as the OP goes, it sounds to me like he's enjoying the game... he's got a ready made tug toy and is having a whale of a time.  Lead chewing is generally a displacement behaviour (because they don't like the lead - normally young puppies), or it's something that has become rewarding for some reason.
I'd focus on an alternative behaviour... so train him to look at you, or hand target, and ask for and reward this BEFORE he starts mouthing the lead. 

At 6 months, you are at a point where you are going to have to reinforce a lot of basic commands - keep everything fun and lighthearted and you'll get there!  :D  If he is guarding things, though, it might be worth asking the advice of a (positive) trainer or a behaviourist, just for some pointers - one consultation now could give you all the tools you need to survive adolescence and prevent any problem behaviours becoming ingrained.
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Offline spaniel04

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Re: lead chewing
« Reply #5 on: February 24, 2012, 04:03:15 PM »
Quote from: Archie bean on February 21, 2012, 06:12:26 PM
Archie has always tried to have a little bit of a chew on his lead right at the end of a walk when we get home, just before I take it off - between car and house or on the last stretch of road up to the house if we don't go in the car.
Today I had to struggle with him on the pavement for nearly 15 mins before I managed to get him to walk into the house. He's fine when we leave and on the walk so I guess it's a "I don't want the walk to be over" thing.

I think you a right, he doesn't want the walk to end because he sees it as the end of his fun time. So you need to make those first minutes back in the house the best part of the walk. Have a little exciting game with a special toy he loves but can only play with at the end of the walk, let him chase after a ball in the hall or something like that. He will be starting to look forward to coming back home in no time at all.
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