Chasing house lead

[Shanti Lall]

We started using a house lead with our puppy (now 14 weeks) a couple of weeks ago. Lately she spends a LOT of time chasing it around tables or chairs (as if it was her tail, but longer). Is this obsessive, and should I take it off? I've tried distracting her with other toys/games but this doesn't work. My husband just thinks she's having fun with it and I'm worrying about nothing.

 

[Violet Turner]

She could just be playing. Why do you use the lead?

 

[JudyN]

Some dogs can become obsessive about certain 'toys'. Is the lead invaluable for other aspects of her training, or could you manage without?

Depending on her size, you might get away with a much shorter lead, just a few inches long - grabbable if you want to lead her into 'timeout', say, but too short for her to play with it.

 

[Shanti Lall]

She could just be playing. Why do you use the lead?

I think someone on this forum advised it! I use it to pull her away from me when she's bitey and pull her away from things she's trying to steal or bite to pieces! It's been very useful in these instances.

 

[Shanti Lall]

Some dogs can become obsessive about certain 'toys'. Is the lead invaluable for other aspects of her training, or could you manage without?

Depending on her size, you might get away with a much shorter lead, just a few inches long - grabbable if you want to lead her into 'timeout', say, but too short for her to play with it.

Hmm that's an idea. It's easier to 'catch' the lead and stop her getting up to mischief with a 2.5m lead, though. I have found the lead really useful.