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Post by marc on Dec 22, 2010 7:27:50 GMT -5
hi folks. Jackie's latest thing over the last week is chewing her leash.
It seems to me that it happens only when she isn't getting her way, that is, in the following circumstances, i put her in a sit to get her to calm, then she'll chew:
-when someone comes in the house and we're working on calming her down for polite sits...she'll do it if she hasn't greated yet.
-same as above if i tether her with a bone in another room before she settles down to get reintroduced.
-She just started to do it when we're outside, when she seems to get rammy and want to play in the fenced backyard(where i will let her offleash).
-happens when working to get her to calm down when she sees people across the street, or hearing/seeing the dog across he street behind the fence.
-when i try to intro her to other dogs at a distance and calm her before we get progressively closer.
What i read for an adolescent dog is that it could be indicative of boundary testing.
Anyone have any ideas on how i work through this? Ignoring it isnt working.
Thanks!
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 22, 2010 7:54:17 GMT -5
reward for not chewing leash. teach the leave it command.
put food on a paper plate out of reach to her like you hold it. Then say leave it. pause and say break and put the food to her mouth. Don't let her come to it. When she gets that do it with the leash and other items.
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 22, 2010 7:57:42 GMT -5
from my experience. Mostly with shelter dogs.as far as I am concerned chewing leash is something young dogs do and especially young shelter dogs will try to play tug with leash.
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Post by adoptapitbull on Dec 22, 2010 8:17:10 GMT -5
Snorts sometimes does this too. For him, it's when he gets very excited. Usually when he gets excited, he needs something in his mouth....a toy, a sock, my sleeve :/. I distract him by giving him my "Look here" command, which involves him sitting, looking at me, and a piece of carrot. He doesn't do it much anymore, but when I first got him, it was half of his time walking!
She may outgrow some of it, too. Young dogs are full of fun habits!
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 22, 2010 9:28:36 GMT -5
I don't think it has anything to do with "testing", I think it is a frustration and/or redirected stress thing based on what you've written.
In the situations you've noted where she is likely to chew the leash, have clicker and treats handy and rapid-fire the C/T's to keep her mouth busy. Also realize that certain situations may be too stressful for her, so lower the intensity level by a) shortening her exposure time and/or b) increasing the distance between her and the thing in the environment she's getting excited by.
You will increase exposure and decrease distance as she learns to relax and respond to cues regardless of distraction.
What kind of leash are you using? If nylon, you can spray the bottom half with Bitter Apple or something similar. You can do it if you are using a leather leash, as well, although it might make the leather funky.
You can also have two leashes attached to the harness or collar (not sure what you are using on her at the moment) so when she grabs one, you can drop it, and still have the other. (A slack, limp, "dead" leash is no fun.)
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Post by marc on Dec 22, 2010 10:01:24 GMT -5
You will increase exposure and decrease distance as she learns to relax and respond to cues regardless of distraction. Thanks. It seems the chewing creeped up after we were able to shorten the distance and duration of visitors or seeing other dogs. I'm now starting the attention game outside with distractions...regardless of the COLD!!!! I am using nylon so i'll see about the bitter apple. |
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Post by RealPitBull on Dec 22, 2010 10:08:03 GMT -5
I have to give you a copy of the Look At That game instructions. I don't have it here, will have to do it when I get home. I think that game will help her tremendously. If I forget, remind me!  |
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Post by melonie on Dec 25, 2010 12:58:57 GMT -5
from my experience. Mostly with shelter dogs.as far as I am concerned chewing leash is something young dogs do and especially young shelter dogs will try to play tug with leash. Zeke will do this at least once each time you first put him on his leash. He sits so calmly waiting for you to clip it on, walks like a good dog to the door, then once he gets outside he goes into happy wiggle butt where are we going dance in circles mode. He will grab the leash and try and walk. He then has to stop, sit, and calm down before we proceed. Then he's fine with it. Zeke is just a nut. |
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Post by pitbullpassion on Dec 25, 2010 20:30:03 GMT -5
My dog Daisy is like this. For her, its an anxiety thing. I cured it quick - and managed to save lots of $ on leashes - by switching to a chain leash! That was no fun for her to chew on!!!
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Post by marc on Dec 25, 2010 20:38:01 GMT -5
My dog Daisy is like this. For her, its an anxiety thing. I cured it quick - and managed to save lots of $ on leashes - by switching to a chain leash! That was no fun for her to chew on!!! Ive heard that a chain leash works well...and since jackie doesn't mind the one bitter spray I got ( not bitter apple), I will probably try that. She seems to do it more when Dana takes her out and only when she takes her out in. The backyard and not out for walks. Btw. We play in the backyard. |
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Post by loverocksalot on Dec 28, 2010 14:40:15 GMT -5
Hmmmm then maybe she thinks it is ok to play with the leash then. Im in the yard so its play time.
In fact when I have Rocky on leash coming back from a walk as soon as we hit our lawn he will start trying to run and play. If I go along with it he will start going for tug on the leash.
However I don't allow it. 5 years old and he still will try it.
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I look forward to learning much here