Leash Tug of War

[lovemyberner]

I started obedience training with my Bernese Mountain Dog about two weeks ago. Everything is going really well, sit and stay, down and stay, and she will even position herself on my left side with the motion of my hand. BUT the minute i start to walk to teach her heal, she starts paying tug with the leash. She will not walk without the leash in her mouth.

I started fighting her to take it out telling her "no" but soon realized that was a game with her. Now i try ignoring her and i can't get her to walk with me and heal. I can get her to run around the yard with me, right beside me, but she will not do it unless the leash is in her mouth.

Not sure what to do.... will she outgrow it? It is making training really difficult as most of the training we are doing now is on the leash.

Thank in advance.

[MaxHollyNoah]

Hi lovemyberner,

Have you tried a chain leash? Dogs don't like to have metals in their mouth so she might not put it in her mouth.

I think it's worth trying

[lovemyberner]

I think it is worth the try also. Thanks, I never thought of it.

[KOPcaroline]

Hey there,

A chain lead would have been my first suggestion as well, they are shorter and more abrasive to the dog, so they are less likely to put them in their mouth.

You could also try holding her normal lead at such a short distance from its clip onto her collar that she can't get it in her mouth. If she struggles to get at it, tell her no, and then have her sit, tell her good girl when she listens, then try again. You might try giving it a bit of a tug, and holding her more erect/upright and trying to walk (still holding the lead shorter).

Theres also the idea of putting something on the lead that tastes bad, although this could just get messy :P You could try tobasco or chili sauce, or a citrus juice, dogs usually dont like either taste. You might just also wash the lead more often

[lovemyberner]

ALL great suggestions, thanks.

I am going to start with putting something on the lead, (tobasco, etc. maybe citrus first since it will be less harsh). It that does not work i will try the chain. I already have 3 cloth, a leather, and a retractable lead and would rather not buy another one unless I have to.

She is getting good with the "leave it". She understands what it means. I have been using that and then giving her a treat when she drops the lead, only to have her grab it as soon as she eats the treat and we start to walk.

[KOPcaroline]

Really happy shes already picking up on training! Good work! :P

[pattij]

My koda does the same thing i tried jerking the leash and saying no and leave it sometimes she does other times no she also jumps on me sometimes when trying to make her heel...

[pattij]

tried hot pepper on the leash this morning it worked great

[StevieM]

How about teaching her to heel off lead first? Do it in a safe area of course - like a tennis court or baseball diamond with the gates closed. Once she gets the idea of walking beside you without a leash, adding it back in may not be an issue.
Good luck!
Stevie