Hello everyone. I have been reading non stop through these puppy threads as well as marker training and doing corrections. I see that when a puppy does something inappropriate like biting clothing or body parts. A lot of the responses are put the dog on a leash, put in a crate for time out or tether to yourself. But what I don't seem to understand is what happens when the dogs not only chew on everything but on leashes as well. I am just wondering what people do when a puppy just needs things in their mouth so in a sense, everything is fair game including leashes. I haven't seem to find any posts where the dog keeps going after the leash while tied to the dog instead of other bad behaviors, but once off, will go back to the bad behavior. Anybody experience this?

I'm not really sure what the problem is. But probably repetition, repetition, repetition is the answer.

Are you re-directing?

How old is pup?

Hey Lamaar!

If I had a dog like this, and a bitter spray type deal didn’t work, I’d try to keep something (or two) on me at all times to redirect. How old is your pup again? Older than Hav right? Havok likes those fleece braided tugs that Leerbug sells, as well as PetSmart and other pet stores. They are light weight and easy to shove in a pocket. I’d do a little tugging or just let the pup carry it around.

But the best thing is exercise. A tired pup doesn’t chew things as bad… And based on how you have described the need to chew stuff, that’d be my first thing. Use those fleece tugs or some such thing to get some of that exercise in.

Also, if you are in one spot when this is happening give ‘em something they CAN chew. Bully sticks are good, Everlasting Treat Balls keep Hav occupied, and if we are out doing weeding or something, I give him a rec bone to munch on…

Well thank you for these responses. I know what everyone is saying.

Jessica, Hav is 1 month to the day older than my girl. She was a christmas baby. And as for the toys, I look like a walking pin cushion with toys poking out of all my pockets. Tiring her out isn't much of an option, but getting her to slow down a step is. We go swimming at least 4 times a week and I hate to find out how much we walk. I do a fair amount of Ob throughout the day and even more playing. She is drawn to anything that moves and that is why a leash would be the ultmate toy. It runs away and chases her, how can she go wrong with that. Anyways, I don't have a problem with her chewing me too much, she won't touch my things as she doesn't have an opportunity to, but there are certain situations where a leash would be helpful. She has been known to do drive by nips and a leash in this situation would be very helpful. But again, because I can read her fairly well now, I can stop all these behaviors before they occur.

I don't have this issue as she doesn't have a leash on in the house. I was asking this question because I have thought many a times to do this, but again, to her, it is the ultimate toy. Have you guys seen the movie fight club? Well do you remember the part at the end when he is just fighting himself and rolling on the ground and flying into stuff etc. That is what happens if I leave the leash on 1 second to long inside. I simply avoid the leash in the house because of this. She will leave the leash alone about 99% of the time while on walks, but with that 1% I can easily redirect her with the toys. If I were to put a leash on her, I would just be setting her up to fail because it is as simple as taking a leash off or putting her in a crate at this age. I was merely asking this question because it only helps me learn more efficient ways. I like gaining as much knowledge as possible and even though it doesn't apply to me now doesn't mean it will never apply to me. Hope that clears things up a bit.

To add what Jessica said, new & exciting toys for the pup could help as well. I was buying a new toy for my pup once a week until she was about 5 months old. The AKC stuffed animal toys with the squeaker in them and the heavy duty kongs were the only toys my GSD pup couldn't destroy. :-)

As for the leash chewing, if redirecting with toys or bitter apple doesn't work, maybe try getting a metal/chain leash? I wouldn't leave it with your pup unsupervised though.

 Quote: Sharon Eliot

The AKC stuffed animal toys with the squeaker in them and the heavy duty kongs were the only toys my GSD pup couldn't destroy. :-)

These are the majority of toys I own besides tugs. But that is personal preferance. She could care less what type of toy/object it is as long as she can keep it in her mouth. Toys are her main deal as she isn't too food motivated and not a cuddler. She would be the happiest dog if she had something in her mouth at all times. It makes it easier for me too.

 Quote: Lamarr Couttien

But what I don't seem to understand is what happens when the dogs not only chew on everything but on leashes as well. I am just wondering what people do when a puppy just needs things in their mouth so in a sense, everything is fair game including leashes.

My 12 week old GSD just started the thing with the leash. Half the time I think he is trying to stop me from popping the leash :-)

I find that bitter apple works, but you have to put a fair amount on it and reapply. Try to get it on the part the pup ususaly grabs.

Some dogs (and cats) LIKE bitter apple, but I am lucky that Otis just gets close, sneezes and goes off to do something else.

Hope this helps.

Helen