My 4 month golden retriever is sweet, loving, and actually, for her age, well-trained, but she has a bad habit. When I take her for walks she often turns her head and tries to bite the leash near her head. It's not harming her or me..it's just annoying, and she's still a puppy, but I wonder. Like, maybe she doesn't like being lead on a leash? Or is it that puppy sense that wants to play with EVERY MOVING THING she sets her eyes on? I'm just wondering if this is a thing she'll outgroe as she matures or something that should be stopped? Thanks!


goldensrock12

It's a puppy thing.

I would just stop reinforcing it. If you are trying get her to stop or telling her no, then she has you very well trained and she's found a very fun game

You can try getting some tabasco sauce, citronella, or a bitter apple product and putting it on the leash so it's not very tasty when she puts it in her mouth.

It could possibly be that puppy sense that wants to play with every moving thing, it could be that she's not used to the lead or it could be that she just needs something to chew on. But either way, I think putting a taste deterrant on it would work. Without knowing her exact motive for doing it, it's hard to solve it using other methods.

My dog is over two years and still does this if one of my kids puts the leash on her. It is a playful, puppy thing (not dominance). After all, we encourage our dogs to grab a rope and play tug-o-war. They see a "rope" and want to grab it and tug! This would be a good time to teach your puppy the "leave it" command. Although my dog doesn't listen to my kids very well, if I grab the leash and say "LEAVE IT!!" she will instantly drop the leash and walk nicely.

you could always try a harness so that way the leash is more on the back of the dog instead of near her head where she can get it easier...but the dog might not like the harness but just put it on her and have her walk around the house with it on for a little bit and let her get use to it...but it is worth a try

You could also try spraying a little Bitter Apple on the leash. That will stop him from biting it!

Thanks for all your advice. I think I'm going to try a halter or a Halti for her. I don't reinforce trying to tell her to stop usually I just move the ring on her collar to the back of her neck so the leash is facing directly down her spine. Where would I get Bitter Apple? That would help with her chewing on other things too. Thank you!

Bitter Apple can be purchased from your local petsmart or petco.

Just be warned that there ARE dogs out there who actually like the stuff. There aren't many, but it's always a possibility.

If by chance your dog is one of the odd ones who do love the stuff, then there are other similar products. Phooey is one of them, I found it in the bird section. Even tried it out on my stuff, boy did I learn my lesson! I've also heard that there is a Bitter Lemon product. And yes, they will work on other things that she chews as well

Just be careful about putting it on yourself. It's really easy to spread around and you don't want to get it on your food or her food or get it in your mouth accidently.

I have two goldens and initially one of them behaved the same way as your puppy. It is not too early to teach her that you are the boss. Give her much less play on the leash and teach her to heel. It will be much better for her and you. They are bright dogs and will learn quickly what to do. If you wait, sometimes a golden can pull and jump hard enough to hurt you or make you fall. I have been there and know. Hope this helps....

Its a puppy thing. I put bitter apple on the leash and my pups stopped doing it.

Lots of dogs do this. While cute at first, it rapidly gets annoying as they grow. I don't think you need to go out and purchase spray, just tell her no. At 4 mos. old, I'm sure she knows what that word means by now.