Hey

I have a 5 month old rescue dog i've had him 10 days now. He's my first dog.

we are planning to take him to classes but there isn't one at the moment.

He mouths alot, when ever he's exited or meets new people mostly, how do I stop this? and also how do I stop him biting on the lead, took him to the vets today for kennel cough and he nearly bit through his lead!

Thanks in advance

I use the lead as a casual tool, a case of we're going for walks so somethings going to happen. It can happen for a number of reasons though: playfulness, excitement, disregard for you, dislike of the lead, a desire to be let off ... its really hard to jugde but try not to make a big deal of going for a walk (excitement wise). Next time you do if the biting occurs drop the lead and walk off (in you garden) and have a sit down for ten mins, as a usual they will loose interest pretty quickly if they are not getting attention - go back to the lead collect it and take it into the house, do this everytime he acts like this - 4 or 5 times he should get the idea and when it gets to the 5th or so time correct calmly.
It may be an idea to buy a cheap lead you dont mind getting chewed - its really a matter of desensitising him to it

Thanks for this, i'll try it.

By a lead made of chain - that will soon stop him biting it. Train him to meet new people calmly while in a sit, use treats to show him what you want. Keep the person at the distance he can stay calm, then gradually get the person to come closer. Get your friends to help with this.

Yep i agree with the above... i'm sure i posted the same reply on a very similar thread yesterday, thought it was this one... guess not!!

Anyhow, mine was a little bugger for doing that, she'd turn around, grab the lead and run backwards taking me with her! Cue everyone to walk past to ask who was walking who, oh haha very funny!!

So i bought a chain lead, she soon noticed that metal wasn't fun to chew, and gave up. Kept at this for probably 6 months i think, and switched it back to a normal one. She's fine now, if something gets her back up, she occasionally reverts to it, but it's not an issue as such now.

__________________
Indy - Old Tyme Bulldog x Bull Terrier, born 26th August 08