For the dog going crazy on the leash…
“My dog plays well with other dogs, but goes crazy when he sees one on a a walk. Is my dog aggressive?”
This is such a common question from owners. This type of behavior does not necessarily equate to aggression, although it may look like it. We call this LEASH REACTIVITY in the dog behavior world.
There is a few reasons as to why this happens. For one, leashes take away dogs ability to effectively communicate. They can also make a dog feel trapped, especially if your dog already struggles with fear and anxiety. Finally, leashes put physical stress on your dog’s body if they are pulling on the leash.
Dogs use their full head-to-tail bodies to communicate. Any time they are on leash, they are not able to use their full body to effectively communicate with other dogs or people. Similarly, if they are pulling on the leash, it can make their body language seem tense and possibly threatening - which could elicit a reaction from another dog.
The leash not only prohibits them from using their the only language they use, but can also make them feel trapped. If they feel threatened, they know that they are not free to flee if they are phsyically tethered to you by way of leash. This, of course, can contribute to a dog’s stress level on a walk.
Finally, if you let your dog pull all the live long day on a walk, there is an extra unnecessary stress put onto them. That physical stress turns into mental stress, which can cause a reaction once they see a trigger. Additionally, if your dog is pulling on a walk, they are probably not paying much attention to you at all. So once they see a trigger or distraction, it will be much harder to regain their attention to prevent or de-escalate a reaction.
So what do you do with this information?
Say “no” to greetings on leash
Carry treats on walks to reinforce what you want to see more of
Train your dog to walk loosely on leash
Create distance between your dog and possible triggers
Hire a trainer if you need extra help
