Hi so recently my lab ( 1 year 8 months) has started to get aggressive towards her lead, even if she isnt wearing it she'll jump up to try to take it, and if she just I try to get if off her and she starts growling, sometimes when its on her she'll try to bite it and pull away from me? She usually isnt aggressive or doesnt growl, if anyone can help me with this it would be much appreciated!
I think this is play not aggression - even the growling is an invitation to play tug. Molly is two and now very rarely does this, though funnily enough did today. So what I do is to quickly give another instruction; today (she was off lead) I said 'walking' which is my cue for heel, then did a sit, walked on, called her to me etc. She was just looking for more engagement with me. The other thing is that I almost always have a toy with me so that I can instigate a game part way through our walk. I'd forgotten it today, so I think t h ars what led to the lead grabbing. Molly is very motivated by play and the best thing I ever did was to start to play as part of our walks. She rarely goes far from me because she's focused on me as an exciting source of entertainment. I don't know if you play tug, but if not do give it a try, with something like a rope toy, as that will help prevent lead grabbing. The tug game I've taught is fairly controlled - I ask for sit first, then say 'play' which is the cue for Molly to grab the toy, we have a short tug game (maybe 30 seconds), then I drop the toy and say 'Ready' which is the cue for her to drop it and sit, I pick it up and we repeat!
It is kinda hard to tell exactly what is going on from your description but my guess would be more along the line of play rather than aggression. Do you play tug with her at home? If so, she might have just realized that the lead can be a tug toy too! Getting her focussed on other things during the walk will help - practice heel walking, sit/stays, or other commands that you might b working on at home. Try not to walk on the same route every time, if you go different places your dog will be as interested as you in new sights and sniffs. Definitely make sure you never fall into the trap of trying to pull the lead away, thus satisfying her desire for the tug game. Train a "drop it" or "give" command instead. She'll soon get the idea that trying to play tug with the lead won't work.
Myles (10 1/2 months) has recently been doing this on his lead walks. We will be walking along fine, and then I can't tell what triggers it but he will start to walk at a perfect heel while looking right up at me (this is my warning that he's about to pounce). Then he will grab at the lead (or my clothes) or he will just start bouncing around like a horse that's been bridled for the first time, almost like he's trying to get off the leash. I've tried just standing there but he literally is all over the place. I can sometimes get him to sit, but the second I take a step to start walking he does it again. And we just keep repeating. I end up holding his leash tight and getting on ground level with him and telling him no. (I know I know, this isn't a good idea. It's instinctive just trying to get some control). Anyway, I'm afraid I don't have advice for you but curious to see what others say. It's been a real problem lately. He does bite at me too, but I can tell it's play biting and not aggression. I am guessing it's the same for your dog, she's not being aggressive but trying to play. Joy good suggestions!
Yes, agree, it's most likely play, but inappropriate play. Some things I've tried are: a chain leash which is less friendly to dog's mouth.. At the very least a leash I don't care about and won't break when I stop to indicate such behaviour will not be rewarded by continuing the walk. Training classes. Maybe more exercise would help. And, playing tug. A key to playing tug is the dog learns control and to give the tug up when you say so. You don't play tug with the leash so playing tug identifies a permitted rope, which you might even take with you, hidden, on a walk to reward every so often along the way. Another key to playing tug is YOU decide when it's going to happen. You would start playing tug at home of course, not on the walk, and your goal would probably be to eliminate all tugging on a walk or the need to carry it. Though I do see people rewarding their dogs with Tug at our Rally trials after a run.
