Grabbing & Tugging on the Leash

Updated Jan. 9, 2026

Do you have a dog who likes to grab the leash during walks and then tug on it, sometimes quite ferociously? If so, you know what a nuisance this can be, even if the dog is just doing it in a playful way. I've been working with a bunch of dogs lately who exhibit this behavior, and there are multiple reasons WHY a dog does this. Today's article will explore some of these reasons and provide some tips.

Video thanks to Vivek A., Chappaqua, NY

But first, click on this image to watch Roscoe's impressive grab and tug behavior. He's a large and boisterous dude (a St. Bernard!), and this behavior could easily be overwhelming for a small person to handle.

If a dog is very energetic, the slowness of the human's pace during a walk may inspire the dog to begin a tug game with the leash. Here are some tips for resolving this issue:

• Exercise the dog before taking a walk, to burn off some excess steam.

• Offer tugging opportunities with appropriate tug toys if this is a game your dog really loves. (It's just important to teach the tug game with rules.)

• Reward the dog frequently with treats during walks when he is moving along with you nicely, without his mouth on the leash.

Other dogs will grab and tug on the leash when they get frustrated. This may happen when the human doesn't permit the dog to get to something they desire, like another dog. In this case, we need to work harder to make our own agenda rewarding enough to the dog that they no longer feel frustrated. For example, we can:

• Increase distance so the dog doesn't have to walk closely by something tempting or something that triggers a strong emotional response.

• Bump up the value of the food rewards we use so the dog is highly motivated to focus on us. (Check out an article on this topic.)

• Use pattern games (created by Leslie McDevitt), other training exercises, and bouts of play with us, so we become more relevant and interesting even when in distracting situations.

I also meet dogs who will grab and tug on the leash because they don't want to go where the human does. Frequently this happens as the dog is approaching their house. If the dog is still full of energy and/or interested in continuing to explore the neighborhood, this behavior can be their way of boycotting the 'going home' idea. In this case, we might:

• Offer something fun as soon as we get back to the yard, like a food scatter, a toy chase, or flirt pole play.

• Make it a habit to give the dog a special food puzzle (or even a meal) when returning from the walk, so the dog has a good reason to want to get back in the house. (Check out this article for at-home enrichment ideas.)

• Practice small segments of leaving the property, walking for just a short distance, and then returning back home, with the lion's share of rewards occurring on the way back to the property. This back and forth is repeated and, as behavior improves, the walking-away portion is gradually increased.

Until you've had time to work on this issue with your dog, here's a temporary management tip: you can use a chain leash to make the grabbing a lot less enjoyable for your dog. But be aware that the root cause of the issue will still need to be addressed. Otherwise, the dog's energy or frustration will just be channeled in a different but equally problematic way.

I hope this article has given you some helpful tips!

Virginia Dare is a certified dog trainer & behavior counselor with decades of experience. Her business provides in-home, private lessons and behavior consultations in Central Virginia, including Scottsville, southern parts of Charlottesville and Albemarle county, and nearby towns in Buckingham, Nelson, Fluvanna, and Cumberland counties.

She also provides live video consultations anywhere in the US for training and behavior help, puppy matchmaking services, and pre- and post-arrival counseling for new puppies.

Please visit www.NorthStarCanines.com/services to learn more, or contact me at 804.784.0120