Do you experience on leash dog aggression problem? There is nothing worse than having to physically remove your dog away from other dogs when you come across them on a stroll.
Dog aggression on leash is very common, but you can train your dog using a different method.
Your dog’s abrupt, frequently unpredictable anxiety and hostility, particularly when encountering other dogs, may spoil a pleasant stroll.
You’ll learn how to identify leash aggression, how to train and desensitize your dog, and how to socialize leash-reactive dogs by reading down below!
What is On Leash Reactivity?
We’ve all been there—taking a leisurely stroll with our dogs along a favorite walking route when our normally quiet and reserved dogs suddenly get enraged when they spy another dog on the opposite side of the sidewalk.
It’s safe to assume your dog isn’t reactive if she generally loves strolling with you, whether on a leash or not. On the other hand, it’s crucial to pay attention if your normally lively pooch becomes aggressive and confrontational while leashed among other dogs.
A dog who is leashed hostile or reactive to other dogs may exhibit a number of typical behaviors, such as:
• Attacking another dog with open jaws and/or bared teeth
• Making an attempt to unfasten their leash or bite or rip the collar off their neck
• Barking or snarling when anxious
• Taking a defensive position between yourself and the other dog.
Unfortunately, the more violent your dog becomes on the leash, the less likely it is that you will want to take him on a walk.
It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy every time you try to take your dog for a walk on the leash, resulting in less and fewer chances for him to meet other dogs.
Why Is My Dog So Aggressive on the Leash?
Why does my dog pull so hard on the leash in the first place? They may be aggressive on a leash, but their reactive behavior is fantastic when they’re not!
When it comes to dealing with dog aggressiveness, this is a typical occurrence. On walks, why does my dog lunge at other dogs?
Some dog owners report that as their dogs become older, they get more aggressive while being walked on a leash. In addition, “Can’t teach an old dog new tricks!” is a well-known proverb. This is a cause for worry.
However, don’t let this discourage you from trying. You may use leash aggression training on any dog, no matter what stage of life they are in!
Dogs may not know how to welcome and engage with other dogs unless they have been properly educated or spontaneously learnt how to greet and treat other dogs as a puppy—by being punished through brief barking warnings provided by older dogs.
It is important to understand why your dog reacts this way before you begin teaching him.
1. Fear and Frustration
It’s difficult to preserve a comfortable distance between your dog and other dogs when he feels intimidated by the presence of another dog on the leash, which leads to leash aggressiveness and leash reactive behavior.
Because their leash prohibits them from socializing with other dogs in a more natural manner, some dogs become leash-aggressive as a means of expressing their anger.
Instead of responding aggressively due to his inability to naturally welcome other dogs (and people! ), your dog is most likely acting aggressively while leashed for one of two reasons: either he is terrified and has no option but to protect himself from a perceived danger.
Rather than confronting one another head-on, dogs in the wild tend to turn their bodies to the side when they encounter one another. Instead of making eye contact, they would focus on sniffing out identifiable information from one other’s penises.
As a result of this, your dog will feel both vulnerable and apprehensive to defend you, her owner and partner, while she’s on a leash with a stranger’s dog.
When we force dogs to face each other, we are sending a message that we want them to fight, and this message is particularly powerful since dogs are inherently territorial and devoted to their masters.
2. Increased Anxiety
It’s normal for dog owners to worry about their pet’s safety, and this may lead to anxiety when you take your dog out in new places. Being scared while approaching another dog while your pet is on-leash increases the probability that your pet will feel the same way.
You and your dog are in a cycle of reactivity and stress because of this increasing circuit of anxiety, which is then transmitted to the other dog and its owner.
You may not be able to manage your own nervousness, particularly if your dog has a history of leash reactivity. As a result, both you and your dog will benefit from some instruction.
Taking your puppy to high-traffic places if you already know she’s leash reactive might lead to unwanted reactive behaviors. Keep going, even if it seems like you’ll never get out of this loop. Dogs with leash aggressiveness may be healed via dog training.
This video breaks down why leash aggression happens and the exercises you can do to be successful in the future.
What is Leash Aggression?
Leash-reactive behavior in dogs is negative, but it’s not only about making it easier to walk your dog that’s important. If you don’t do anything about your dog’s leash aggressiveness right away, it might lead to long-term problems.
If you aren’t diligent in training your dog to get rid of his leash aggressiveness tendencies, here are a few scenarios on what causes leash aggression:
1. Anxiety
Your dog’s scared, territorial, or aggressive tendencies might worsen if you do nothing to assist him overcome them.
If you tolerate or worse, penalize these behaviors, you may be building a negative connection with meeting new canines, people, or even exploring new places.
2. Stigma
Your neighbors, friends, and other dog owners will eventually characterize your dog as an aggressive jerk.
Everyone’s anxiety is heightened, and your dog will take this up. You and your dog won’t benefit from being the “neighborhood outcast,” and neither will your dog.
3. Loneliness
It’s important for dogs to have companions of a similar size and breed to keep them company. Positive interactions with other dogs are very beneficial and educational for the majority of canines.
Having pet dogs may enhance your dog’s playing, provide him cerebral stimulation that helps him wind down, and aid in teaching him better behaviors if they are properly socialized.
He may never be the social butterfly you wished he were, but having a few dog pals around may be a good thing.
4. Injury
In the end, the larger, badder dog may not care about your dog’s “tude” since he’s bigger and stronger than him. You and your dog might be seriously injured if another dog attacks or defends itself because of your dog’s habit of mouthing off.
This is particularly critical if you’ve had difficulty managing your dog in the first place. A dog fight may need your intervention if your pet is larger or stronger than you.
5. Legal Consequences
The worst-case scenario of allowing your dog’s reactive behavior to remain on a leash is the ultimate hazard.
What will happen if your dog assaults another canine or a human being. Even the smallest of canines may inflict severe harm if they believe they’re battling for their lives.
When you have a dog, you don’t want to be held responsible for someone else’s injuries, or worse, have your dog put down for something that wasn’t his fault.
What to do if your dog is the victim of an aggressive dog’s aggression is just as important as how to avoid it. No matter how well-trained and friendly your dog is, show consideration for the limits of other dogs and keep your dog under control.
As a result, if your dog has a strong recall, it may be possible for him to wander off-leash, but this might put him in danger if he gets too near to a violent dog.
Dog Leash Aggression Training
Patience is key when working with a dog that is leash reactive. As with any kind of training, it will take some time to get the desired results. Keep going even if your dog seems to be hesitant about the procedure.
Use these suggestions to help you on how to deal with leash aggression of dogs:
1. The First Thing to Do Is to Train Yourself.
You must first learn how to recognize your dog’s body language and react accordingly before things get out of hand with your dog’s leash aggression towards other dogs. The following are common warning cues given by a healthy dog before attacking:
• Raised hackles and stiff body.
The hairs on the back of your dog’s neck will rise up and your dog will become rigid and alert when things progress from joyful encounters to hazardous altercations.
• Snub ears.
Fearful dogs pin their ears back to show that they are ready to surrender to a more dominant canine. This behavior is common in dogs.
• Bared fangs and curled lips.
Things have taken a turn for the worst when your dog stops smiling and folds his lips over his bared fangs.
• Tail tucked inward.
Tucking one’s tail indicates that your dog feels frightened and wants to flee, which may lead to increased leash aggression.
• Snarl and growl.
The sound your dog makes when he feels intimidated by another dog is another indication of his sentiments. Attack is imminent if you hear a low growl or snarl.
A key part of learning how to recognize your dog’s warning signals is watching them interact with other dogs.
An expert dog trainer can teach you how to read your dog’s body language and voice signals so that you can better understand how canines communicate with one another on their own.
To assist your leash-reactive dog feel less anxious, you should learn how he alerts other dogs to his increasing concern.
2. Inspect for More Serious Issues
If you observe your dog’s interactions with other dogs, even when he or she is not on a leash, you may see that his or her leash reactivity or hostility has nothing to do with the leash itself.
There may be a medical reason for his hyperarousal. If your dog is ill or has an underlying medical condition, he is more prone to assault from other dogs, regardless of whether he is on a leash or not.
As a first step, you should contact a veterinarian who can do a thorough examination of your dog’s health.
Your otherwise healthy dog may be lashing out at other dogs while leashed because of an underlying mental or emotional issue she is coping with—a condition particularly prevalent among rescued dogs whose background may have involved abuse or abandonment.
Even if your dog is leash aggressive, there are strategies to assist you teach it to be less aggressive when encountering other animals.
3. A Dog’s Best Friend is a Bag of Dog Treats
It is the best method to educate your dog to be less leash-aggressive by reminding her that you are her greatest source of comfort and protection.
Using treats as a kind of additional positive reinforcement is one option. Your dog’s favorite companion will soon be yours, too, thanks to treats.
Be sure to call your dog’s name before you leave the house or travel to an area where you know other dogs will be present, and reward him when he looks back at you.
As many times as you can, reinforce this behavior to help your dog get closer to his goal. Patience and a cool head are essential.
Consider stocking up on your dog’s favorite snacks before you go out for a stroll. Continue educating your dog to turn and gaze at you, rather than the new dog, as you approach it.
To achieve this, keep in mind the following easy desensitization formula for your reactive dog:
• A new dog is on the way.
• Using a cue word or saying your dog’s name can alert him (or otherwise grabbing his attention)
• When he turns to face you, reward him with a treat or his favorite toy.
• As long as the other dog is within his line of sight, continue to reward him with goodies and playing with you and his favorite toy.
• Once the other dog has gone out of sight, remove all rewards from the table.
The more you do this—seeing a new dog, getting your dog’s attention, and then rewarding him with treats to keep him focused on you and diverted from the other dog—the more he will anticipate the rewards in advance and start turning to look at you without you having to notify him first.
Even more significantly, teaching your dog to associate other dogs with positive reinforcement, such as treats, belly rubs, and playtime, will help him learn to associate other dogs with pleasant things.
When other dogs are around, he will learn to maintain his focus on you, keeping you in the driver’s seat and him at a safe distance.
4. Pay Attention to Lapses in Behavior
Remember that punishing your dog simply serves to exacerbate his stress levels. While you should never praise your dog for bad behavior, never penalize your dog for a break in good behavior.
Since meeting another dog will be a neutral experience, your dog will be even less inclined to perform correctly around other dogs as a result of this association.
You should tug strongly on your dog’s leash and then gently remove your dog from the situation if your dog is becoming leash hostile again.
5. Try the Leash Reactivity Gear
Use leash for aggressive dogs properly. In the beginning stages of learning how to reduce leash aggression, you may need a little additional guidance. Using leash reactivity skills in this situation is a great help.
Reactive dogs need a specific sort of collar called a head halter, which has two straps: one around the nose and the other behind the ears on the neck. When you use this method, you can better lead your dog in the direction you want him or her to go.
When dealing with leash-biting aggressiveness or if you fear your dog’s uneasiness is putting you and your dog in danger, a muzzle may be a beneficial tool.
There is a strap that goes over the head and another over the neck that goes around the muzzle to keep your dog from biting you. Because of the open design, your dog will be able to breathe, drink water, and even eat while using this product.
Ways to Make Your Dog More At Ease With Reactivity Equipment
If you have a dog reactive on leash, but not off leash, then it probably means that your dog is irritated being leashed.
If you don’t want your dog to consider the equipment as a punishment, be sure to pair it with a rewarding activity like giving him goodies. To help them get adjusted to their new headwear, here are a few tips:
• Incorporate the tools into your daily routine while providing tiny rewards (as small as possible, so you can feed many at a time).
• Put it on and take it off as much as possible, and reward yourself as you go. It is common for leash-reactive dogs to be uncooperative with both head halters and muzzles.
• These items will become less and less required as they become acclimated to the sense of having something on their heads that restricts their movement.
• While using a leash aggression harness, it is critical that you do not jolt your dog’s head around. It is possible to injure their neck, scare them or cause them to associate the reactive gear with a punishment if you use it.
• Having a muzzle or face harness with you at all times is a smart idea even if you no longer use it, just in case. As with many other things, having it rather than being dependent on it is always preferable.
6. Anti-Anxiety
The anxiety that triggers your dog’s flight or fight reflexes when approached by a stranger or another pet might be beneficial in treating if you have a generally afraid dog.
This will not be a comprehensive solution for your dog’s leash reactivity, but it may be an important aspect of your dog’s training.
Preventative measures like using a Thundershirt on your dog before you resort to medicine are normally suggested to begin with. Your dog will feel as safe and secure as a swaddled baby when he or she wears a Thundershirt, a compression vest.
Pheromone patches on the chest and shoulders of Thundershirts provide a synthetic pheromone similar to the natural pheromone secreted by mothers of young pups.
If your dog is on a leash, he may respond negatively to other dogs, but if he’s let free, he may get along just fine with them. A dog park, your backyard, or even your living room with a friend’s or neighbor’s doggo might be the setting for this activity.
Dogs that have had a lot of experience socializing with other dogs will be less afraid or on the lookout while they’re leashed.
However, dogs of any age may make new friends and learn how to behave correctly when an outgoing or exuberant dog rushes up to say hi. Socialization is best started when they are young.
8. Make Sure You Take Care of Your Pet
In order to help your reactive dog become less leash aggressive, you should always provide a secure environment for him, no matter where you travel together. In other words, he shouldn’t let anybody approach him, welcome him, or go too near to him.
Let others know that your dog is still a puppy and should not be approached if they get too close. Even if you have a nice and well-socialized dog, not everyone has the simple decency of asking before approaching.
Making certain that any encounters with other dogs are devoid of distracting sensory input, such as loud noises or other unpleasant sounds, is an important part of managing his anxiety.
What to Do When an Off-Leash Dog Comes to You While Walking Your Dog
Even if you take all the proper precautions, your dog may still get into danger if addressed in the wrong manner. When an off-leash dog approaches a dog on a lead, it is not unusual.
This invasive engagement may irritate your dog, even if the dog’s goal is pleasant or playful.
Because you can’t predict how the other dog will respond to your dog’s sudden shift in attitude, this may be difficult to manage.
If your dog is approached by a loose dog, here are a few strategies to keep you and your dog safe:
• If you see a dog coming, run away. This will divert your dog’s attention away from the other dog and create some space between the two of them.
• It’s best to create some kind of physical separation between you and the dogs, if you can. This may not always be practical in an open area, but it may help reduce tensions.
• If you can, get in touch with the person who owns the other dog. Get their attention and ask them to remove their dog from the situation. If you have to yell, let them know their dog is coming too near to yours.
Collaborate with Others
The easiest method to begin socializing your leash-aggressive dog is to put him into the presence of calmer, well-trained dogs.
Place the dogs far enough apart in a big enough area so that they both feel at ease and are not suffocated by each other.
Play with her and keep her distracted from the other dog across the road by bringing out the toys and goodies you know she likes.
Keep a close eye on your canine companion. You may want to invite a friend or neighbor to bring their dog closer to yours, and if your dog is calm, play with him and reward him.
Until your dog displays symptoms of leash reactivity, play this game again and over. Take a few steps back and establish extra distance between you and your dog’s companion. Restart the technique when he has calmed down and stop giving him sweets or playing with him.
Your dog and the other dog will eventually be able to interact calmly and non-aggressively with each other. Always remember to remove your dog from a potentially dangerous environment if he exhibits indications of hostility.
As a result, do not strike or discipline him in any manner, as this will just strengthen his relationship with meeting other dogs and feeling threatened or in pain.
Leash-free dog socialization in a secure environment is the most effective technique to teach a dog that has a leash reaction.
This is a good time to concentrate on providing your dog chances to interact with other dogs in a manner that seems more natural for him after making sure he is healthy and well-adjusted mentally and physiologically.
Making an attempt to socialize your dog, even if you’d prefer to keep them at home and away from leash aggression, is necessary.
Final Thoughts
A dog’s fear of a person, place, or object is the most common source of aggression on leash. Once you’ve determined what’s causing the dog’s anxiety, you may use positive reinforcement training techniques to help him overcome his fear.
You should never use physical force to rehabilitate a leash-aggressive dog; this will just exacerbate the dog’s anxiety and terror.
Even though it may take time, it’s possible to successfully manage leash aggression if you remain persistent and present the dog with good alternatives to what he or she is experiencing.
We appreciate the effort you’ve put into reading this. If you have any questions or issues, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Until then!
If you see any mistakes or inaccuracies, please let us know in the comment box below! Please feel free to share your thoughts and suggestions with us, and we’ll do our best to include them if they’re valuable and right.
Related Resources
Dog Leash Aggression: Stop It Before It Starts
