How normal or not is a puppy grappling with leash?? - Page 1

I would like to ask experienced GSD Owners if they remember their puppy grabbing and grappling with the leash while walking along? My boy is 4 months old, and will often grab, hold and grapple with the leash. He is a confident fella. But I would appreciate knowing just how normal or not this is?

Thank you in advance,
Rodeo

This is very normal...Particularly the first few times your puppy is on a leash...

~Bob~

I don't think I ever had a puppy that didn't do that .  Some were worse than others. I found I could discourage the more persistent ones by threading a short piece of a small caliber PVC pipe through the lead and allowing the pipe to slide down the lead until it rested at the pup's neck. That way when the pup tried to grab the leash, the pipe stopped it from doing that. It didn't take too long for him to not try it again.

Blitzen great idea. Now the pup does not need correcting making the walk more fun. Had one who carried the leash when we walked. He was a Sch3 no less.

I also like the idea of not correcting a pup for biting if he is going to be encouraged to do bite work.

Hello Bob, Really? This could be regarded as "normal"? Very relieved to hear you say this, because I was convinced there was something wrong!! He is confident and cheeky, sits to have his leash on, but walk with him and he becomes a tiger! (even trying to snatch at his GSD companion too, and making roaring sounds)!

If this is reasonably normal at 4 months - then I will breathe a big sigh of relief.

Thanks Bob, (feeling somewhat better)
Rodeo

Oh Blitzen you too, These responses are SUCH a relief. What a clever idea about the PVC Pipe - will be onto that almost immediately. (Would never have thought of that myself).

I am so grateful to you both (and Admin too).

Rodeo

Blitz super idea I have a pup now and I will try that ☺

I hope it works for everyone. Over 40 years ago my first OB instructor told me about it. You don't need a big diameter, but it has to be  large enough so that the little shit can't open his mouth wide enough to bite it .

My two gsd girls have been retrieving a 6 in long 2 in diameter cpvc pipe since twelve weeks old.. When they grabbed rthe leash, I tell them no. After two minutes they are focusing on training, mostly dragging the leash behind during searches and retrieves. They rather watch the ball or work for food than bite the leash. The less issue made of the leash the sooner they forget it. Pups with lots of prey drive will want it, till they have something more interesting to focus on. Eventually, rodeo, you will find your pup ignore the leash for more rewarding object like the ball or tug, and food during training. JME.

Don't think I'm patient enough to put a piece of PVC on the leash...Wish I was...

If you have a collar...any kind...on the puppy and then put the leash/snap into the collar...if you keep the collar up behind the puppy's head then he won't try to get at it...and/or can't bite it...To me the key is to NOT let the puppy get to the leash so he doesn't chew it up...It pisses me off when a puppy chews up a good leash of mine...

Every puppy or dog that has never been on a leash before will try to bite at the leash...It's something new on them and they're just not used to it...It won't take very long before they learn to accept it...

So if you take your puppy for a walk a couple times during the week it won't take many trips and he will have learned that this is nothing to worry about...

~Bob~