Thick leash or thin leash? (Photo: Black dog wearing a leash)
Let’s talk leashes. How many leashes have you gone through with your puppy or dog?
For many of my clients, the answer is several. Some have actually lost count.
Many clients have had their puppies and adolescent dogs chew straight through a leash in a matter of seconds. Seconds. If they do this while on a walk and don’t have a rock-solid recall command, it could cost them their life.
I’ve had a number of calls from people whose puppies have chewed through the leash while on a walk and then refused to come back to their owner. There have been several close calls with cars and a lot of tears.
Catch me if you can (Photo: Weimaraner running away from camera while looking back over his shoulder)
Whether you’re near cars or on a busy hiking trail, when your dog ignores your recall command and runs away it is a very scary feeling.
Here are some tips to help you prevent this from happening to you.
First thing’s first, you want a thin leash. So many people get a really thick leash for their little puppy. Know what happens? The leash is actually quite heavy, so your puppy notices he’s wearing it. It’s annoying and kind of looks like a toy, so he chews right through it.
Puppies find it easier to ignore a lightweight, then leash (Photo: beagle on a beach wearing a thin, lightweight leash)
How to prevent this:
One: Get a very lightweight leash for your puppy, so he barely notices it’s there at all.
Two: Supervise your puppy and disagree with him the FIRST time he goes to put it in his mouth. Do not overreact. Do not pull it away from him (or this creates a game of tug of war.) Then, engage your puppy in an activity with you. Maybe you recall him away by moving backwards and making your body language inviting. Maybe you give him a rope toy and engage him in play.
As pet parents we need to set our puppies up for success from day one. We have to teach them right from wrong right away. They aren’t born wearing leashes, so it’s up to us to introduce the leash in a positive way, so they enjoy wearing one. We need to disagree with them the moment they pop it in their mouths for a little chew. Leashes are not for chewing. Period. It just isn’t a safe habit to develop.
What you allow, you agree with (Photo: dog running while carrying his leash in his mouth)
What we allow, we agree with.
Have a safe and wonderful weekend, Dog Leaders!
Alyssa
Photos by: Tucker Good @tuckergood (Black dog wearing a leash,) Arun B.S
@arunbsonline (beagle on a beach wearing a thin, lightweight leash,) Elisa Kennemer
@elisalou (dog running while carrying his leash in his mouth.)