A dog that feels restrained, frustrated, and uncomfortable while attached to a leash may struggle and act out.
Leash lunging, leash reactivity and leash aggression are all behaviors that are caused by a dog feeling restrained, frustrated and uncomfortable in a social situation while attached to a leash. In normal circumstances, an unleashed dog would be able to put sufficient distance between herself and a fear source or go up to greet anyone she wants. But if the same dog is leashed and unable to increase or decrease that distance depending on how she feels, she will become frustrated or behave defensively in the hope that the fear source will go away.
If your dog’s behavior is reinforced by success (meaning distance has been increased or decreased), she is likely to react in the same manner again when faced with a similar stimulus.
Walking a dog that lunges and aggresses on leash is not a pleasant experience. The anticipation of a problem tends to cause human tension, which is transmitted down the leash to the dog, effectively making the lunging behavior worse. Dog and guardian are then locked in a vicious cycle of tension and leash lunging that becomes hard to change.
How do I train my leash reactive dog?
The first step to stopping your dog lunging is by first identifying the cause, and then working to desensitize her to the stimulus that makes her uncomfortable. At the same time, you will be conditioning her to see that the stimulus is no longer cause for concern.
If you have a dog that is social, and who lunges on a lead because she is frustrated and just wants to get to the stimulus, you have to teach her that lunging achieves nothing, while calm behavior results in her being able to greet. If you have a social, yet frustrated dog, simply turn and walk her away from the source until she is calm enough to turn back and greet calmly.
Do not punish a dog that lunges on the leash for any reason, especially if the cause of the behavior is insecurity, which is the case for most dogs.
Put the emphasis on giving your dog something else to do in that moment instead of using punishment, which will help her be more comfortable in the situation.
Change how your dog feels about the trigger
By using positive reinforcement techniques you can actually change the way your dog feels about a certain situation for the better and therefore change her emotional and behavioral response. The following technique works well for dogs that are uncertain about another dog or person they see in the distance or a for a dog that is social yet frustrated and 'explosive' greeter. In either case, it helps your dog engage in another activity and moves her emotional state from frustration to thinking and calm so she can walk past the trigger without lunging and barking at it, or greet in a calmer manner.
- For example, when your dog sees another dog in the distance and is curious but not yet uncomfortable or frustrated, bring out her favorite toy or food and play with her or feed her. The toys or food you use have to be of the highest value and only used when doing this teaching around other dogs.
- Allow your dog to look at the trigger. When she looks at it, say 'yes' and throw a high value treat on the ground. This will immediately turn her head away from the trigger and enable her to do a seeking activity to seek out the food. Repeat this process a few times so that the consequence for looking at and looking away from the trigger is the opportunity to seek for something good on the ground.
- Playing or feeding your dog will help her to not only focus on something else when she is in the proximity of another dog, but the pleasure she gets playing, seeking or eating will change the way she perceives the outcome of that dog’s presence.
- Make sure you do this at a distance where your dog is comfortable, and if she is doing well you can try the same exercise getting a bit closer.
- This exercise is not about getting your dog to the point where she can actually greet another dog unless she is really dog social - it's about getting her to the point where she can walk past another dog without reacting because she now associates another dog's presence with good things.
Remember, punishing your dog for lunging by shouting, hitting or shocking serves to suppress behavior at that moment, but does not help change the way a dog feels about a trigger, while using these positive techniques will have longer lasting success. This training can be tricky as getting the timing right is crucial, so hiring a certified positive trainer to help you is recommended.
How long will training take for my uncomfortable dog?
Training might take time depending on your dog’s level of discomfort around other dogs, but do not give up, as this training technique has an impressive success rate. Stay calm and relaxed yourself throughout the process and gradually work up to the point where the other dog is able to walk past as your dog focuses on you or stays calmly by your side.
- When you get to the point where you can walk past other dogs with no reaction at all, your dog might be ready to experience her first greeting.
- Do not allow unconfident dogs to greet face to face to begin with as it can be too much pressure, so practice following the other dog or walking parallel with each other until both dogs are comfortable.
- If your dog is relaxed, then you can both walk in an arc towards each other, have your dogs greet for a few seconds face to face and then happily draw them away from each other, rewarding them for making this huge step.
- When it is appropriate, try going for regular walks with your dog’s new friend and begin adding other dogs to the mix until you can get a regular walking group together.
- Simply experiencing the joys of a walk with other dogs will help your dog feel more comfortable around them.
