Chewing, digging, jumping
How do I stop my dog grabbing and chewing its lead when excited?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
An adult dog grabbing the lead in moments of high excitement, seeing another dog, arriving at the park, is usually releasing arousal rather than repeating puppy teething behavior. Staying still and calm until the grip loosens, rather than pulling back, prevents it from turning into a fun tug game.
An arousal release, not defiance
A dog that grabs the lead specifically at peak excitement moments is channeling a burst of energy into the nearest available object, which happens to be the lead, rather than making any real decision about your walking equipment.
Avoid a tug reaction
Pulling the lead away or reacting sharply tends to add energy to the interaction, and for many dogs a tug response is genuinely fun, meaning your reaction can accidentally reward the exact grabbing you want to reduce.
Building calmer exits from excitement
Practicing a sit or settle cue right before high excitement moments, like just before entering the park, gives your dog a specific, rewarded task to focus on instead of the lead during the exact moments grabbing is most likely.
Key takeaways
- Lead grabbing at exciting moments is usually an arousal release, not defiance or teething.
- Pulling back or reacting sharply can accidentally turn it into a rewarding tug game.
- A trained settle cue right before exciting moments gives your dog a better focus than the lead.