How do I stop my puppy from biting on the leash when I put it on him?

Question

Mr. Frawley,

I have read a lot of the articles on your website, but I have a question that I have not seen answered. I have a 14 week old GSD who has been a terrible biter. He appears to have a high drive and the biting has been horrible, but by keeping his leash in him and being able to pull him away from me and then redirect him to a toy, I have seen a reduction in his biting. However, he has his "moments" when he wants to chew on my shoes as I am trying to walk. My question is how do I stop him from biting on the leash when I put it on him. I can put his leash on him and he immediately begins trying to put it in his mouth. I remove the leash from his mouth and try to redirect him to an appropriate toy, but he still goes back to biting the leash. If he sees something move, he goes after it. The more I try to keep the leash away from him, it seems that his drive increases, but after he settles down, he is considerably better with the leash and I can walk him without him pulling the leash and him biting it. Sometimes he likes to carry the leash in his mouth when I walk him, which I do not want him to do. At times I feel like I am fighting with him over who is going to have control of the leash.

I have a M.A. in behavioral psych. so I have been working with him through positive and negative reinforcement. I used some punishment techniques in attempting to reduce the biting on my arms and hands. However, I found that keeping his leash on him and being able to grab his leash and having minimal touch and vocal interactions (as sometimes this is a big reinforcer) would help. When he would calm down then I would reinforce him for getting calm. When he is doing what I want him to do, I reinforce him. I do use markers and food. I know that the issue with the leash is a handler/trainer issue and I need to know what I can do to fix it. I have not seen this addressed or I may be missing it. 

I thank you so much for your time. I have found your website and materials to be extremely helpful and a big resource. I live in an area of the country (Lake Charles, LA) in which there is no one to consult with except the local pet store trainers and I have not found them to be very helpful. The information I have found on your site has helped tremendously. I have a great puppy who has a lot of drive and motivation and loves to work, so I want to do the best job with him that I can. So I will continue to visit your site and buy your videos. I have seen some clips with Michael Ellis as well and I love the methods that you and Michael use to train dogs. Thanks again for your time.

Thank you, 
Lorita

Accepted Answer

Why not leave the leash on him? If the problem is instigated by putting on the leash then take that trigger away. Let him drag it around. Have a toy ready for him and allow him to carry it on walks if you need to. I’d recommend Your Puppy 8 weeks to 8 Months.
I would read our biting puppies article. I’d also become a student of marker training so you can tell him when he’s right and when he’s wrong. Puppies that do what yours is doing are trying to make something happen. You need to stimulate his mind more. I know you said you use markers, but make sure you are marking with a reward marker in a timely fashion for something concrete. Being “calm” isn’t something that a puppy really understands, he needs a behavior to associate with the mark/reward. (ie sit, eye contact, down). I’d also suggest: The Power of Training Dogs with Markers The Power of Training Dogs with Food We also have a number of eBooks, which include topics that may help you. I hope this helps! Cindy Rhodes