I'm in a similar boat with a 1 week ago rescue of a gsd/rottie mix. She was grabbing the leash while walking, first just mouthing it but then playing tug.

I switched to a chain link leash and it was apparently uncomfortable enough in her mouth that she quit doing it.

It was pretty clear that this dog had no leash experience at all, as well as never been in a car or housebroken. She also has tons of energy and will play hard all day. A 4 mile walk means nothing to her. At least I'm getting some exercise!

Az

 

I would start working hard on a "leave it" cue. He's probably not going to know it well enough to be able to apply it to the harness for at least a week or two, but you can start with the basics using food.

In the meantime, you can let him chew on a treat while you put the harness on - he's distracted from trying to play with it, and the positive association of food=harness can't hurt.

The "leave it" cue will help with the leash grabbing as well. It can help to step on the leash when they go for it, which makes it boring and less like a toy.

 

Aaaaaaand he just had an episode with the leash and snapped my face making (not hard) contact. I put him in the crate (not forced but strongly encouraged) because I don't know what else to do. I am now in touch with a behaviorist coming Friday, but if anyone else has any suggestions until then, I'm very frustrated and could use the advice.

Thank you for the advice elrohwen. He has zero interest in any other toys if he's in a leash biting mode (or treats, or belly rubs) but I'll try the standing on the leash thing. We started slowing working on "leave it" this morning.

 

I didn't mean that you should distract him with treats. I meant that you should teach him leave it starting with leaving treats and moving up to leaving things like the leash. And if you pull out the treats firsts before putting on his harness and get him calm and interested in treats the harness will go on easier. This is a pretty normal young dog issue that any positive trainer could hep you with. No need to see a behaviorist, IMO.

 

i can completely sympathize with you. when i got my dog from the shelter i honestly thought what the hell did i get myself into.

even a year later there are days i break down crying cause Thor is such a PITA. I recently went from a house to a small apartment , and he is NOT adjusting well. he showed his frustration on my couch while i was out for 30 minutes. so this is when i started using the crate again.
my dog doesnt have issues with his harness except he gets excited but he leash bites if i give him too much slack while walking.
every dog needs some adjustment time in a new home so youre likely to see alot of flaws and issues you need to work on behaviorism issues will come out and he will show them in full force. but know this isnt because he is an aggressive dog just that he is scared, new home, new surroundings, hes unsure
I suggest during downtime, you get him associated with his harness WITHOUT going for a walk.
grab the harness grab some cut up hot dogs tasty treats not kibble.
let him sniff harness make him sit, give treat and praise (calmly)
put on harness make him stand still , give treat praise.

make him associate harness with treats/nothing to fear. allow him to wear it in the house for a bit to get comfortable with it
it wont happen ina day or a few hours but eventually you will get there
good luck,

 

Hi A-z, just came across this thread and wanted to share that a friend had very good luck with this technique with her adult adopted dog who was wild about leash biting (essentially it's counter conditioning to address the pattern of over excitement she'd developed when the leash would come out - just as asuna has described). Your behaviourist may have helped with this using a different approach (?), but if you're into PR based training and you're still struggling with this, check it out: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=IR7TvrUQ_1k