Dog Leash Aggression
You are out to enjoy your daily walk with your dog but it’s not the peaceful experience you were imagining. Every time you come across another dog your dog starts to behave aggressively towards the other dog.
Your not alone, dog leash aggression, particularly other dog aggression is quiet common. So why is this and what can you do about it. After all, all you want is peaceful, enjoyable walk with your dog.
What triggers dog leash aggression
There are a number of possible causes of the leash aggression displayed by many dogs. If your dog has had a bad experience with another dog, they may have come to consider all dogs as potentially harmful.
One of the reasons that many dogs are fearful and react aggressively when on the leash is that they feel restricted by the leash. Most animals when corned will lash out in self-defense. This doesn’t mean that you don’t use a leash, you need to be in control of your dog when in any public space.
Your dog may be fearful of any number of things, that are exhibited as dog leash aggression and other dog aggression. You may be unwittingly helping to trigger this fear response. If you are nervous about chance meetings between your dog and another dog, your dog will sense your apprehension and be even more fearful.
Click here for the best training guide to solve your dog leash aggression problem
You may be contributing to dogs leash aggression
You probably anticipate the problem and instinctively tighten your grip on the leach. This instinctive action, not only alerts your dog that you think there is potential danger, but the increased pressure on the leash lifts your dog to a more upright posture.
An upright posture indicates to the dog approaching, that your dog is prepared to fight or defend, further adding to the tension.
Your dog may have dominance issues, which can be another trigger for dog leash aggression and other dogaggression. Whatever the reason for your dogs display of aggression when on the leash, the first step in correcting the problem is basic obedience training.
Training can help
If you dog will not respond to your command when in a safe and secure environment such as your home and yard, you have no hope of getting him to respond under pressure.
Once you have taught you dog to obey the basic commands of “sit” , “drop or down” and “stay”, you are ready to begin work on the leach aggression.
You must remember to remain calm a confident as you see another dog approach. This will reassure your dog, that this is not a potential threat and not further add to your dogs fear.
At the first sign of dog leash aggression or fear from your dog give a firm command of “down, stay”. This command serves two purpose, it distracts you dog from the approaching animal and put your dog into a non threatening posture, towards the other dog.
When your dog obeys, reward him with praise and let him know you are happy with his reaction.
It is important to establish a pattern of success when encountering other dogs. If you dog is very aggressive towards other dogs, you may need to slowly introduce another dog that you know is well trained, and under the control of it’s handler.
It is best to do this in a controlled environment, have the other handler slowly introduce the other dog at a distance where you can still get you dog to obey you. As you dog stops reacting, the two dogs are gradually brought closer together.
As you practice this controlled encounter with your dog, it will become less and less concerned about the approach of then other dog. Then it is time to practice in the real world.
If you are confident and consistent in this approach you will overcome your dogs leash aggression and both you and your dog will soon be able to enjoy your daily walk.
Click here for the best training guide to solve your dog leash aggression problem