Why Dogs Bite the Leash (and How to Stop It for Good)

Leash biting is one of those things that can make an ordinary walk feel like a circus act. You clip on the leash, take two steps, and suddenly your dog is part piranha, part tug-of-war champion. The good news? It’s completely normal, and fixable.

Many dogs go through a leash-biting phase at some point, especially puppies. For little ones under five or six months, it’s just part of exploring the world. They’re teething, curious, and testing out what’s fun to chew. But when it continues past the early puppy stage or starts showing up in older dogs, it’s usually your dog’s way of communicating something.

Why Dogs Bite the Leash

1. Excitement & Play. Walks are the highlight of a dog’s day. For some, the sight of the leash is just too thrilling. When they can’t contain themselves, they grab the nearest thing—the leash itself.

2. Frustration or stress. Some dogs bite the leash because they’re frustrated about something. Maybe they want to keep walking when you turn toward home, or they’re riled up by another dog or squirrel they can’t reach. Others use leash biting as a displacement behavior, which basically means they’re channeling excitement or stress into mouthing.

3. Boredom or unmet needs. If your dog isn’t getting enough mental or physical enrichment, walks might become their outlet for pent-up energy. Leash biting turns into a self-made game to keep things interesting.

4. Confusion about what the leash means. Not all dogs naturally understand leash walking. If they haven’t learned that the leash is simply a connection to you—not a toy—they may treat it like one.

5. They’ve learned that chewing equals freedom. If your dog has ever bitten through a leash and managed to run off, they might have learned that chewing gets them what they want... freedom! Even one accidental escape can make the habit stick, especially for clever dogs who connect actions to outcomes fast. Switching to a chew-proof leash during training and reinforcing calm behavior before heading out can help prevent the pattern from returning.

How to Stop Leash Biting (Without Ruining the Fun)

Teach what to do, not just what not to do. Dogs repeat what works, so focus on rewarding calm behavior on leash instead of reacting when they bite. Bring treats on walks and reward your dog for walking beside you, making eye contact, or choosing to sniff instead of grabbing the leash. The more you reinforce what you do want, the faster the biting fades.

Keep the leash boring. If you jump, yell, or tug back, you’ve just joined the game. Try to keep your reaction calm and neutral.

Redirect the mouth. For dogs who love having something in their mouths, offer a toy to carry instead. A soft ball or tug toy can give them something to focus on while walking. You can even pause for a short, structured game of tug before resuming the walk, turning that urge into a reward for calm walking.

Adjust your handling. Keep the leash loose and out of your dog’s way. A constantly tight leash can create frustration and make biting more tempting. Avoid dangling it in front of your dog, and practice moving smoothly so the leash doesn’t swing around like a toy.

Make walks interesting. If your dog bites from boredom, change up your route or let them stop and sniff more often. Sniffing is one of the best natural stress relievers for dogs. You can also sprinkle treats on the ground occasionally to encourage sniffing and reset focus.

Build calm before and after the walk. Over-aroused dogs often start biting before you’ve even made it out the door. Spend a few minutes rewarding calm behavior as you put on the leash, and end walks with a simple cue like “sit” or “touch” before heading back inside.

Leash biting might look annoying, but it’s just communication. Your dog’s telling you they’re overstimulated, under-stimulated, or unsure what’s expected. Once you meet those needs and teach better habits, walks quickly turn from chaos to connection.

If your walks are starting to feel more like tug-of-war than teamwork, I can help! Reach out to book a private session or online consult, and let’s get those walks back to being the best part of you and your dogs day.