ON LEASH REACTIVITY

Many dogs are just fine off leash, but fly into a rage at the sight of another dog on leash or from the other side of a window or fence.

Why?

The source is usually a combination of:

• a socialization deficit
• fear - a dog on leash is trapped with no escape
• practicing the wrong kind of play when with other dogs
  - ramped up, high arousal wrestling
  
• lack of training with control in the presence of distractions
  
  and most of all:
  
  
• frustration and lack of impulse control
  - many melt downs are nothing more than temper tantrums

Frustration can grow into aggression if not interrupted and controlled. It's like road rage.
It starts out ramped up with excitement because the young dog sees something he wants, then becomes irritated because he can't get to what he wants, and over time, becomes angry at the mere sight of every dog he sees - dogs become a trigger for all those pent up negative feelings. Your dog's frustrated behavior is often reflected by passing dogs and people. The other dog sees him as aggressive, so they respond by being defensive back - and it spirals into an emotional turmoil of threats.

Be pro-active.
When you see another dog on the horizon, get out your clicker and treats and c/t like crazy til you pass them. Walk in a big curve if necessary to give yourself space and keep her focused and under control. If your dog walks on your left, keep left - if your dog walks on your right, keep right to put yourself between your dog and the oncoming dog. Be a good leader, give direction ("leave-it" - "sit" - "let's go") and make space to set yourself up to be able to get control and keep it before your dog tips over into an emotional mess.

If you can keep emotions under control and his attention on you while you heavily reward an appropriate frame of mind, over time your dog will gradually learn to relax. As this emotional change happens, your curve can become less pronounced and your dog will gradually be able to pass dogs in polite fashion. How long will it take? As long as it takes. It depends on how long your dog has been practicing reactive behavior. It depends on how easily your dog's arousal is triggered and how ramped up he typically gets. Mild dogs will recover quickly, intense dogs will take a long time and careful training. A few will need to cross the street when another dog is in view forever, especially if you don't have enough opportunities to practice.

Impulse Control is Key.
Bottom line, dogs can't have everything they want and throwing a temper tantrum isn't the way to get it anyway! IF the other dog is appropriate to meet, both must sit politely, look at you and wait for permission and then greet the other dog calmly, not like a freight train!

Having an outlet for some healthy dog play is a great idea for the dog who is just starved for some same-species interaction. But just don't dump him into the dog park to sink or swim. He can just as easily learn all the wrong things there. Perhaps the controlled and monitored setting of a good dog daycare a couple times per week or long walks with a friend and their gentle, well-adjusted dog. Most importantly, look for ways to practice hanging out with other dogs calmly without having a free-or-all! Enroll in a training class!

Any time you are dealing with the potential for aggressive behavior, it is advisable to work under the guidance of a professional trainer. In applying any of the behavior advice on our website, you agree that DITR will not be held responsible for your use of these techniques in your home or in public.

See also:
Impulse Control
The Overstimulated Hyper Dog
Follow the Leader - Who's in Charge?
Permission - the ultimate pack leader tool!

This handout may be reprinted in its entirety for distribution free of charge and with full credit given:
© CAROL A. BYRNES "DIAMONDS IN THE RUFF" Training for Dogs & Their People -
ditr_training @ hotmail.com - http://www.diamondsintheruff.com