For the remainder of this article, we’re going to use the term “aggressive dog” to talk about dogs that are dog-reactive or dog-selective rather than fully dog-aggressive. This training game is called “Cookie Dog,” and starts with you and your dog sitting on a park bench in an area where there are a small number of dogs out and about. If only we could get the off-leash dog owners who think it’s not their problem to cooperate My dog is a large, senior, Husky/Malamute and he hates off leash dogs – especially young and bouncy ones. Leash aggression is an extremely common behavior issue faced by many dog-loving owners. Put the dog under a command, like "sit", using the leash if needed to help him, but then immediately loosen all tension on the leash. Is your dog unnaturally aggressive when on a leash? Dogs that are fearful of other dogs, for example, can move away from other dogs in a dog park because they are not tethered to anything (e.g., human). Recently rescued dog is aggressive on leash, but not off leash. Why is this issue found in some breeds more than others? But hook on a leash, and … Keep in mind that the treats you always use when you’re training at home will be less exciting when you’re outside and there are lots of distractions. Fearful dogs frequently use the offense-is-the-best-defense strategy when they are afraid of something; this includes getting other dogs to move further away. Another leash correction is given, and you try to drag your dog away. This article was originally published in AKC Family Dog magazine. Like a case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, the leash-aggressive dog is calm, cool, and downright polite when walking among people or around dogs off-leash. That’s why the “look at that” cue is so valuable. This is going to teach your dog that the arrival of another dog means you’re going to pay out treats like a hot slot machine in Vegas. ... She is not being aggressive, she’s protecting herself. Dogs hide injury well, and perfectly well socialized dogs that suddenly start acting aggressively (in any context) may be hurt and vulnerable, and instinctively become more defensive. However, most of the time I enjoy seeing dogs off leash. This is a question I am asked almost every day. Remember not to automatically tighten the leash when you spot something that you suspect your dog might react to. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid. It’s crucial that you are focused on your dog and the presence of other dogs while on the walk. To do that, you’re going to teach your dog that when he sees another dog, he’ll be rewarded for looking at you. This blood pressure-raising bad behavior is called leash aggression, and it is commonly reported by pet parents (so if you think you are alone in dealing with this, you’re not). The main ingredient here is control and freedom of movement. This behavioral trait, known as leash aggression or leash reactivity, is most frequently triggered by fear or frustration, although a high prey drive can lead to aggression … Remember tension on the leash encourages aggressive behavior. A combination of frustration and tension, leash aggression is a common problem. The result should be that your dog sees the other dog, turns to you, and expects a reward. But hook on a leash, and he lunges, barks, and snaps at the sight of another dog. Leash-reactive dogs, or dogs that show aggression toward others when on a leash, can be frustrating and dangerous if not properly controlled. I know staying calm is hard to do when faced with an unfamiliar dog is approaching and have no idea what are their intentions! Reactive dogs also can do well with other dogs in the home. Dogs who may normally be friendly with other dogs can sometimes become reactive and aggressive when attached to a leash. Interestingly, many leash reactive or leash aggressive dogs are perfectly fine off-leash and many of them play well in dog parks. Most of my clients are probably tired of hearing me say, “Distance is everything when it comes to fear in a dog.”. I’m going to address these three elements individually. If you have a dog who has a questionable recall, we can help. The dynamics between a leashed dog and off leash dog are different than if both dogs were leashed or both were off leash. Do you find that your pup is a complete gentleman when wandering off-leash, but seems to turn into Cujo once the harness goes on? Just about every dog up by the farms is loose and aggressive. Why do you Rarely See Them in Public?). But this ensures that their dog will never learn how to correctly interact with other dogs, and dooms them and their dog to a life devoid of canine friendships. However if you are not sure or don’t have the time to play just … Some people hit the dog on top of the head with the leash, or kick the dog in absolute frustration. These safety tips will help deter aggressive off leash dog from approaching you and your on leash dog. As hard as this may be to get your head around, the most common reason that a dog barks and lunges at other dogs when he is on-leash is fear of dogs. In normal circumstances, an unleashed dog would be able to put sufficient distance between himself and a fear source. If we sense a problem in the making, he does go back on his leash. All this said, I would never allow him off leash in a city setting or on a sidewalk. 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. After a few weeks of playing the Cookie Dog game on a bench, start playing it on the move. Most dog owners try to train their dog the way most of us were trained by our parents when we do something bad. Dogs that are fearful of other dogs are usually great dogs in every respect except for this one issue. Aggressive behavior by dogs walking on a leash creates tension and welfare issues for the dog and the family. In addition, a qualified trainer can help you evaluate your dog to see if this is a typical case of leash aggression, or if there’s something else happening. Sometimes a dog may become overly excited, such as before a walk, and nip its handler. Keep the leash loose. Fixing a dog's aggression towards other people or other dogs while on his leash is a problem that many people try to fix the WRONG way. Many other dogs are just “leash reactive,” meaning they bark and lunge on-leash but do just fine with other dogs off-leash. When attached to a leash, dogs have a natural tendency to feel restrained, frustrated, and uncomfortable. Most leash reactive dogs will not be able to focus entirely on you as the stimulus passes. While it sounds counter-intuitive, the road to fixing this issue is actually off-leash interactions with dogs. If they are fearful of other dogs, they may use aggressive behaviors in an attempt to create more distance between them and other dogs. With practice and some professional input, you can keep him from turning into Mr. Hyde when other dogs appear. Besides, you’ll be meeting so many new people and their dogs, you won’t have time to do anything else. There are three main components in answering this question: root cause, physical environment and response. Why do you Rarely See Them in Public. The owner didn’t leash the dog even then, so I was king of ticked off and had to finish my run somewhere else. All rights reserved. But that doesn’t have to be the case if you understand the causes and solutions for this type of behavior. – Identify the motivation for your dog’s on-leash aggression and address it accordingly. The dog may be ill or injured. When he is on the leash and other dogs pass close by us, either on or off their own leash, he becomes overly protective and 'aggressive.' A leash-reactive dog is one that is especially reactive while on a leash. Many dogs that show these traits crave interaction with other dogs, but most have less-than-stellar canine social skills for creating a successful meet and greet. Dogs that are afraid of and react to other dogs (called dog reactivity) require a certain distance (called threshold distance) from another dog in order to feel safe. AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Leash reactivity is considerably more common, and fear aggression towards strangers is arguably more dangerous, but few things provoke a truly gut-wrenching visceral reaction quite like being bitten by your own dog. Frustration-elicited aggression: The dog behaves aggressively when it's restricted on a leash or in a fenced yard. A city setting or on a leash about dog health, and other may. 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health training. Leash dog are different than if both dogs were leashed or both were leash... Just fine if the dog on top of the time I enjoy seeing dogs off leash in a city or. Worse without intervention and almost always requires the help of a professional training, and. 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