Walks became stressful for me, not enjoyable for her, and with each day, the behavior only seemed to get worse. After a few months of this, I took her to a local trainer, who was able to give us a diagnosis for what was going on: Leash reactivity. Leash reactivity is when your dog overreacts to a stimulus while they are on a leash. The reactivity could look like lunging, barking, or growling. In some dogs, they may show a fearful response or try to run away from the thing that upsets them. Where does this reactive behavior come from?
And what happens when you introduce a leash into the mix? There are several reasons why a dog may not like this type of greeting:. Some dogs get very sensitive or upset when a stranger human or canine comes close to their beloved owner.
Some dogs get really excited by the prospect of saying hey to another dog — but alas — the leash! The leash gets in the way, and so they get frustrated. This was the case for Korra. Other dogs are not the only stimulus that can drive leash reactivity. Stoddard explains that there are many different stimuli that can drive leash reactivity, including:. What causes leash reactivity in a given dog can vary. Common issues include prey drive, traumatic experiences and simple frustration.
Many pet owners assume their dog has been abused or neglected prior to adoption, but this accounts for only a small fraction of leash-reactive behavior. Barking and growling are some of the most common leash-reactive behaviors owners experience. These behaviors are loud. In large dogs especially, owners can worry their pet is being perceived as or actually is dangerous. These behaviors may not be restricted to being on a leash, either. Leashes, at their core, are restraining devices.
What the dog is reacting to is the act of being contained, held back or held in place. As such, leash-reactive behaviors can sometimes also be seen when a dog is confined in a kennel, gated in a room or yard, or stuck behind a window.
Training can be challenging, though. Particularly if the behavior has already become deeply ingrained, it is not uncommon for training to take weeks or months. Staying committed and calm, even during setbacks and frustrations, is key to ultimate success. For example, a beagle that wants to chase after rabbits while on a leash is probably just as driven to chase rabbits in any other setting. Continue your approach calmly while giving your dog space by moving in an arc around the stimulus.
Then, once the stimulus is past, stop providing treats. This way, you are teaching your pup to associate calm and positive feelings with the stimulus.
Training your dog to overcome leash reactivity is a big task, but there are professionals who can help. Using an experienced local dog trainer can be especially helpful for perfecting your timing. The precise moment when you give commands and rewards is critical. Many people correct their dog for any perceived display of aggression.
This can be dangerous for several reasons. First, this teaches your dog that other dogs, and potentially other people, cause punishment. Remember any punishment — yelling, jerking the leash, grabbing your dog, or saying no — increases their anxiety level. Second, correcting a dog for growling or barking may prevent them from growling or barking in the future.
Growling and barking are warning signs that the dog may bite. Third, correcting a dog who is highly aroused or stressed may cause them to redirect their aggression to the handler. Here are some steps to help your dog feel better on-leash: Practice getting your pup's attention before you go out. Say their name and reward them for looking at you. Start in a low-distraction environment, like your living room. Gradually move to busier areas as you're able to get your dog's attention regardless of what's going on around you.
This will teach your dog to look at you regardless of the environment. When you're out on your walk, as you see another dog approaching, wait until your dog notices them. When they do, get their attention and reward. Don't wait for them to react! This will teach your dog to associate the presence of others with something wonderful.
When they look up at you for more, go closer and repeat.
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