wanting to 'hold' leash

coyotegal · 01-20-2012, 09:55 PM

Hi there

We have recently been blessed with a nine month old shepherd that has quite a bit of training...even some police training and search and rescue!
He walks wonderfully on a leash but today when I tried to jog with him he kept taking the leash in his mouth. He didnt pull or tug, but it did bring his head in front of me some, and I am unsure if I should allow this. (I am unable to touch base with his original trainer for at least 2 weeks)
What do you all think? Why do you figure he is doing this?
My hubby thinks he doenst like the bounce of the leash but I worry that he is trying to rule the run.
Thanks for your thought!

msvette2u · 01-20-2012, 09:59 PM

You are right. Don't let him do that.
Spray the leash with Bitter-whatever (found at pet store) and maybe that'll help.

coyotegal · 01-20-2012, 10:03 PM

perfect, thank you

I know I can get him to stop ( I feel he is testing us out a bit ) as when he sees I mean business he acts quick, lol! He has been trained very well thus far. I dont want to ruin it!

gsdheeler · 01-20-2012, 10:06 PM

My girl 25 months old still holds the lead once and awhile if she's being silly. I have taught her to "take it" and to "give". We do Obed. and Agility, I use the leash is a training tool and a tug.

PaddyD · 01-20-2012, 10:12 PM

Sorry, I say let him hold the leash. I had a couple of dogs that did that then they got interested in other things and let it go. It's not a big deal in my opinion. We are all out there to have fun and not wrestle to see who is in control. Once things get underway, we fall into a groove and everything is hunky-dorey.

coyotegal · 01-20-2012, 10:18 PM

I want to have him listen really well on a leash for running and walking and biking and the kids... and our play time is off leash in the bush, yard, field, etc.

BowWowMeow · 01-20-2012, 10:30 PM

It's not a dominance agenda thing, if that's what you're worried about. Rafi used to grab the leash and try to play tug with me while we were walking. Instead of treating it as a negative behavior I thought about what I could do to use that energy and drive. I trained him that it was his job to hold a ball while we were walking and now he will carry and keep track of the ball on walks even if we go off leash for 3 or 4 hours.

Your pup sounds like a really nice dog who is just having some fun. Keep things fun and positive and you'll have a great relationship. Be sure to be clear, consistent and calm in your leadership and you will be just fine.

msvette2u · 01-20-2012, 10:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyotegal

I want to have him listen really well on a leash for running and walking and biking and the kids... and our play time is off leash in the bush, yard, field, etc.

I agree, give him lots of tug time with a rope tug.
The leash isn't a toy (IMO, obviously others don't agree, but that's okay!). Unless you want it to be...it doesn't sound like you do, so just don't let him do it.

Jax08 · 01-20-2012, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coyotegal

Hi there

We have recently been blessed with a nine month old shepherd that has quite a bit of training...even some police training and search and rescue!
He walks wonderfully on a leash but today when I tried to jog with him he kept taking the leash in his mouth. He didnt pull or tug, but it did bring his head in front of me some, and I am unsure if I should allow this. (I am unable to touch base with his original trainer for at least 2 weeks)
What do you all think? Why do you figure he is doing this?
My hubby thinks he doenst like the bounce of the leash but I worry that he is trying to rule the run.
Thanks for your thought!

I guess it really depends on if you want to do anything further with him. How about trying a shorter leash and see if that solves the problem.

No, I don't buy into the dominance theory. I don't think his taking the leash or putting his head in front of you has anything to do with dominance.

01-20-2012, 09:55 PM	#1 (permalink)
coyotegal New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	wanting to 'hold' leash Hi there We have recently been blessed with a nine month old shepherd that has quite a bit of training...even some police training and search and rescue! He walks wonderfully on a leash but today when I tried to jog with him he kept taking the leash in his mouth. He didnt pull or tug, but it did bring his head in front of me some, and I am unsure if I should allow this. (I am unable to touch base with his original trainer for at least 2 weeks) What do you all think? Why do you figure he is doing this? My hubby thinks he doenst like the bounce of the leash but I worry that he is trying to rule the run. Thanks for your thought!

01-20-2012, 09:59 PM	#2 (permalink)
msvette2u Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Beautiful Pacific NW Posts: 5,533	You are right. Don't let him do that. Spray the leash with Bitter-whatever (found at pet store) and maybe that'll help. __________________ Ruger v. Sunnyside Stray 4-11-11

01-20-2012, 10:06 PM	#4 (permalink)
gsdheeler Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Southeastern Pa. Posts: 168	My girl 25 months old still holds the lead once and awhile if she's being silly. I have taught her to "take it" and to "give". We do Obed. and Agility, I use the leash is a training tool and a tug. __________________ Judy Sheaffer Reba CD TDI Rescue / Bridge Caramist Ramblin Red Sage UD CGC / Bridge PAM Alkarah's Havoc of Hollabird CD RAE PT MXP AJP OFP TC Kenlyn's Red Hot Chili Pepper RN RA

01-20-2012, 10:30 PM	#7 (permalink)
BowWowMeow Crowned Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 14,798	It's not a dominance agenda thing, if that's what you're worried about. Rafi used to grab the leash and try to play tug with me while we were walking. Instead of treating it as a negative behavior I thought about what I could do to use that energy and drive. I trained him that it was his job to hold a ball while we were walking and now he will carry and keep track of the ball on walks even if we go off leash for 3 or 4 hours. Your pup sounds like a really nice dog who is just having some fun. Keep things fun and positive and you'll have a great relationship. Be sure to be clear, consistent and calm in your leadership and you will be just fine. __________________ Ruth & the 4 Legged Rescue Gang Rafi the malaroo http://www.dogster.com/dogs/693238 Gio & Varda, the krazy kittens ....In my heart: Cleo Kitty Chama Kai Basu Massie

01-20-2012, 10:03 PM	#3 (permalink)
coyotegal New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	perfect, thank you I know I can get him to stop ( I feel he is testing us out a bit ) as when he sees I mean business he acts quick, lol! He has been trained very well thus far. I dont want to ruin it!

01-20-2012, 10:12 PM	#5 (permalink)
PaddyD Banned Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: MassaCHEWsetts Posts: 5,222	Sorry, I say let him hold the leash. I had a couple of dogs that did that then they got interested in other things and let it go. It's not a big deal in my opinion. We are all out there to have fun and not wrestle to see who is in control. Once things get underway, we fall into a groove and everything is hunky-dorey.

01-20-2012, 10:18 PM	#6 (permalink)
coyotegal New Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 3	I want to have him listen really well on a leash for running and walking and biking and the kids... and our play time is off leash in the bush, yard, field, etc.

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