Leash Manners Training Sydney: Leash Reactivity

Leash Manners Training Sydney

Having good lead manners is a skill just like any other. And just like any other skill, it needs to be taught to your dog.

Does your dog go crazy when he sees other dogs on leash?  This is called “leash reactivity.”

You take your dog to the park and he plays well with other dogs, big and small. Your friends come over to your place with their dogs and your dog has a blast playing with his fur friends. On a leash, however, your social dog becomes a raging lunatic.

Every time outside on a lead your dog lunges and barks at other dogs, trying so hard to get to them that he pulls you off your feet. He growls and acts like he wants to kill all the other dogs in sight. What is this?

When a dog shows aggressive behaviours when on the leash, it is called “leash reactivity.”

The owners of these dogs struggle to understand what happens to their usual social and friendly dogs on the lead. It’s not uncommon, however.

My opinion is that most dogs get this way because they don’t deal with frustration very well. When your dog gets to play with other dogs a lot throughout the week and even meet them on the street it becomes a routine they expect to happen every time. Then when all of a sudden you won’t allow him to go see another dog when he’s on the leash, it can be confusing and very frustrating for your dog. This is why ‘leash reactivity’ can also be called ‘lead frustration’.

This, however,  doesn’t mean you should let him run up to every dog you meet! This won’t help the problem, instead, it will make it worse. By letting your dog meet other dogs when behaving badly, you are actually rewarding the behaviour.  You are giving your dog the pay-check of going to greet the other dog. And the behaviour will get repeated because it leads to the outcome your dog wants.

There are three main things to focus and work on when helping your dog control his aggressive impulses during walks. You need to work on all three areas or you won’t make significant progress. 

• Your relationship with your dog

• Basic obedience

• The aggression itself 

Eazy Dog Training runs leash manner training classes in Sydney – Book here!