Leash reactivity is one of the most common behavior problems we hear about, and one of the most stressful. Walking your dog feels like walking through a haunted house; both you and your dog are constantly on high alert, waiting for the next trigger to round the corner, causing your dog to explode with fierce lunging and barking.
Leash reactivity is one of the most common behavior problems we hear about, and one of the most stressful. Walking your dog feels like walking through a haunted house; both you and your dog are constantly on high alert, waiting for the next trigger to round the corner, causing your dog to explode in fierce lunging and barking.
What Causes Leash Reactivity in Dogs?
Why does a sweet dog turn into a different animal when they see another dog on a walk?
Frustration. The dog who goes to the dog park or daycare without issue might just be frustrated that they’re on a 6-foot leash with their movement severely restricted.
Fearfulness. Many dogs who are fearful of other dogs or people are reactive on leash. When the option to flee is restricted by a leash, the other option is to become defensive.
Learning history. From your dog’s perspective, everyone they pass on a walk eventually goes away. Therefore, whenever they bark and lunge at someone to leave, that behavior gets reinforced because that person or dog leaves! Every single time.
Traumatic experience with another dog. Many dogs who have been attacked by another dog start to exhibit leash reactivity.
Guarding. This is less common, but it is possible your dog is guarding you and/or the food in your pocket from everyone who passes by. Your dog may also be guarding his territory, especially if the reactivity only happens in your neighborhood.
Pain or a medical issue. Bad hips, a sore back, upset stomach, ear infections, and more can make your dog uncomfortable which can exacerbate behavior. This is especially important to consider if your dog is older than 2 and reactivity is a new behavior.
How to Help Your Dog Now:
Management is the first step to helping your dog, and it is something you can start today. The goal of management is to prevent the rehearsal of this unwanted behavior rather than change your dog’s emotions. A behavior modification training program will help change your dog’s emotions, thus reducing their reactivity.
With management, it is important to practice away from triggers so your dog gets really good at doing these exercises. If you only try to do these when there is a trigger, it is unlikely to be successful. The goal of these exercises is to distract your dog so he doesn’t see the trigger.
Cookie magnet: Hold soft, high-value food (chicken, cheese, hotdog) in your hand so your dog can lick and nibble and get a constant, slow stream of food. Your hand is a magnet to your dog - if you lose contact, go right back to their nose. You can do this stationary or in motion.
Cookie scatter: Cue the word “scatter!” and toss a handful of small, high-value treats onto the ground, ideally in grass. We want to work all your dog’s senses so they are unlikely to notice the trigger passing by. Talk to them so they listen to you rather than the trigger - encourage them to get the treats as fast as possible! Point out the treats to them so they can watch your hand and are encouraged to keep their eyes and nose glued to the ground.
U-turns: Maybe your dog has already seen the trigger and will not take food. Practice how you maneuver them in these situations. A tight u-turn is your best option. Will you turn away from them? Will you be pulling on the leash? Will you body block and turn into them? What are your feet doing? What are your hands doing on the leash? Practice all of this without any distractions so BOTH you and your dog get really good at it!
You Don’t Have to Walk Your Dog
It can be relieving to hear that you don’t have to walk your dog. At least not in the way everyone immediately thinks of. Neighborhood walks are not mandatory. If you have a big enough yard, that can be enough for most dogs! If you don’t have a yard, seek out areas that have less foot traffic. Instead of a neighborhood walk, consider:
Find a large open field and put your dog on a long line.
Utilize industrial/business parks. There are RARELY other dogs there!
Drive 5 minutes to a quieter part of town if possible.
Play in the yard.
Train in the yard.
Play with a flirt pole (dog-sized wand toy, just like the ones for cats!)
Grab some simple agility equipment and teach your dog how to jump over, go under, and go through different pieces of equipment.
How Do You Fix Leash Reactivity?
Behavior modification is the type of training used to treat leash reactivity. The goal of behavior modification is to target your dog’s underlying emotions. Reactive behavior is a symptom of those emotions. By changing your dog's emotions, we are able to target the symptomatic behavior and reduce the reactivity.
We also want to start training your dog where you’re experiencing the behavior. Many dogs who are leash reactive struggle in new environments. When training starts in their home, where they are most comfortable, we are able to quickly build the foundations necessary to bring that work out into the real world.
Our private behavioral dog training is built for exactly this. Here's what the work usually looks like:
A full picture first. We have an in-depth consultation to gather all the information needed to draw up a training plan.
Starting with management techniques. This includes methods to reduce the frequency of your dog’s reactivity; not training required. As well as leash handling practice for the humans, and learning how to move with your dog in difficult situations.
Training protocols to address the reactivity. Exact plans differ for every dog and family.
When to Get Help Right Away
Don’t wait until your dog has taken you off your feet or ripped the leash out of your hand. If your dog is redirecting his frustration to you or another dog in your household, resulting in bites to you or your dog, seek a professional trainer sooner rather than later. If you're still comparing trainers, this guide on how to find a good dog trainer in NJ covers which credentials and questions matter most.
Walks Can Be Enjoyable
Leash reactivity can feel impossible to work through, but it isn't. Your dog is worried or frustrated - and that can be changed. With effective management, a solid training plan, and patience, you and your dog can start to enjoy walks again.
Ready for a plan built around you and your dog? Text "dog training" to 908-246-6187 to set up your free consultation with Rose Dog Training. We serve Long Valley, Chester, Somerville, Bridgewater, Basking Ridge, and surrounding New Jersey communities.
Frequently Asked Questions about Leash Reactivity
How do you fix leash reactivity in dogs?
Management, which focuses on preventing the rehearsal of reactivity, is the first step. Next is a behavior modification training program that will target your dog’s underlying emotions in order to modify the symptomatic reactive behavior, as well as teach you the skills needed to handle your dog through tough situations.
Do dogs outgrow reactivity?
No, most do not. Reactive behavior is easily reinforced because people on walks keep walking; therefore, when your dog barks at them, they go away forever. The barking works every single time. Reinforced behaviors will be repeated.
Why is my dog suddenly reactive?
If your dog is around 8-16 months old, it is not an uncommon change in behavior. Your dog is an adolescent, and his brain is wired to act first, think later. If your dog is older than 2, check in with your vet.
Is reactivity in puppies normal?
It's common, and it's the best time to address it before it grows into a bigger behavior in a bigger dog. Private puppy training can help you get ahead of it early.
Should I punish my dog for reacting?
No. Punishing your dog for reacting is unlikely to make him stop reacting. It has the potential to worsen the behavior if your dog is reacting due to fear or insecurity.
About the Author
Rylee Rose, CPDT-KA, FDM, is the owner and head trainer at Rose Dog Training LLC, serving families in Long Valley, Chester, Somerville, Bridgewater, Basking Ridge, and surrounding New Jersey communities.
She holds the Certified Professional Dog Trainer–Knowledge Assessed credential through the CCPDT and the Family Dog Mediator designation, and she completed Michael Shikashio's Aggression in Dogs Master Course. Rylee uses science-based LIMA methods to train dogs and owners together. Learn more about Rylee and Rose Dog Training.
