Dog Chews Leash When Excited? Here's What to Do

Why Dogs Chew Leashes When Excited

Dogs often chew or bite the leash when they're highly excited, especially before walks or when meeting people or other dogs. This behavior can include pulling violently, jumping, barking hysterically, or even biting trouser legs and the leash itself. According to Turid Rugaas, this is not aggression but a reaction to high energy and excitement. Punishing the dog for being joyful is not helpful—instead, focus on managing the situation with calmness and redirection.

Use Calmness and Distraction to Respond

Your own calmness can help your dog relax. When your dog gets overly excited, stay composed and avoid reacting with frustration. One effective strategy is to offer a chew toy or favorite object for your dog to carry. Holding something in the mouth makes it harder to bark or chew the leash, and it can have a calming effect. This temporary solution helps reduce stress and prevents destructive behavior during high-energy moments.

Train Calm Behaviors with Positive Reinforcement

Use clicker training to teach your dog calm behaviors like “feet” or “sit” when excited. When your dog has all four paws on the ground, click and reward immediately. This reinforces the desired behavior and helps your dog learn that calmness leads to rewards. Even if your dog already knows “sit,” continue clicking and treating every time they choose the calm behavior over pulling or chewing. This builds consistency and strengthens the new habit.

Prepare for Excitement with Pre-Walk Routines

Prevent overexcitement by creating a routine before walks. Let your dog get the leash before leaving—this teaches them to wait calmly. If your dog drops the leash in your lap, reward that polite behavior with a walk. This teaches communication without barking or chewing. Also, ensure the leash is securely attached—use a straight peg instead of a wall hook to avoid it being pulled out during excitement.

Manage the Environment and Leash Use

A leash is not a fishing line—it’s for safety and control. Always pay attention to your dog when on the leash. If you’re distracted, your dog may pull or chew it. Use a baby gate or exercise pen to manage chewing if needed, especially if your dog has separation anxiety. A crate with the door off can also serve as a safe, cozy space. The key is to manage the environment so your dog doesn’t have access to destructive outlets.