If your dog exhibits aggressive behavior on leash, it can feel extremely challenging, emotionally exhausting, and isolating, too. After all, nobody wants to approach a dog that is snarling, lunging, and growling. But what causes leash aggression in dogs, and how can you prevent it? And if your dog is already exhibiting leash aggression, are there management and training techniques that can help you handle the behavior?
What Is Leash Aggression in Dogs?
There are many different definitions of leash aggression floating around. But looking at the function of the behavior helps to clarify what your dog is trying to accomplish. According to certified dog behavior consultant , CDBC, aggressive behavior in dogs is used to increase distance from or eliminate a potential provocative stimulus, such as a stranger or another dog. Leash aggression is aggressive behavior that occurs when the dog is on leash.
Some people use the terms 鈥渓eash reactivity鈥� and 鈥渓eash frustration鈥� interchangeably with leash aggression. Although these topics overlap, they aren鈥檛 technically the same thing. Reactivity in dogs refers to emotional arousal. The dog might react in ways that seem excessive for the situation, such as barking or lunging at passersby while out on walks. That dog might be just fine once in contact with the stimulus, or the reactive behavior might escalate to aggression. On the other hand, leash frustration refers to a dog feeling frustrated because the leash is preventing them from accomplishing a goal or task like greeting another dog.
Consider the dog鈥檚 intent. Do they want the stimulus to come closer, such as a dog that wants to greet a stranger? Or do they want the stimulus to back off? Certified dog behavior consultant , CDBC, differentiates aggressive behaviors from reactive ones as those where the dog intends to control, intimidate, or cause harm. The leash-aggressive dog wants the stimulus or trigger to stay put or move further away, rather than come closer.
How to Identify Leash Aggression
Dogs experiencing leash frustration can often look quite aggressive, but Wheatcraft believes it all comes down to the dog鈥檚 motivations and sociability. If a dog has no history of aggression towards people yet is displaying what appears to be aggressive behavior on leash in the presence of people, it鈥檚 often because they feel frustrated as the leash prevents them from interacting. They want to acquire access to the person, not avoid them. Alternatively, she says, 鈥淚f a dog is genuinely uncomfortable around people and has a history of using aggression towards people in other contexts, I can safely assume they are also displaying aggressive behaviors on leash and want that person to leave their space.鈥�
But it鈥檚 not always that cut and dried. Dogs can have conflicting motivations. For example, they might want to approach a trigger but can feel anxious at the same time. These overlapping definitions are why Shikashio prefers to focus on the specific on-leash behavior rather than the label. For example, does your dog bark and lunge at other dogs while on leash when those other dogs are 10 feet away? He advises those kinds of details are much more useful to behavior consultants than labels of leash aggression or reactivity.
What Causes Leash Aggression in Dogs
The causes of dog aggression are the same on-leash as off-leash. For example, fear, anger, or a desire to protect property are all possible causes. However, leashes act as a barrier just as a fence or gate does. They prevent your dog from escaping from a stimulus, which can increase your dog鈥檚 stress levels. Wheatcraft explains that for some dogs, a leash exacerbates their discomfort with a trigger. 鈥淭heir inability to move away to relieve the conflict can make them feel like they have no other option except to display aggression. If they were off leash, they would still be uncomfortable, but the intensity of their behavior would likely be far lower,鈥� she says.
How You Can Prevent Leash Aggression in Dogs
There are various ways to prevent your dog from developing leash aggression. Wheatcraft suggests teaching your dog to pay attention to you in the presence of distractions by generously rewarding your dog for their focus. Engaging with and responding to you should pay off more than anything else. She also recommends managing your dog鈥檚 interactions with others. 鈥淚f you have a dog who is social, it鈥檚 okay to occasionally let them greet people and dogs when out and about, but you鈥檒l also want to make a point to teach them that they can鈥檛 greet everyone all the time.鈥� You can also consider walking your dog in areas with fewer people or at times of day when dog owners are less likely to take their dog out, such as in the weekday afternoons. It can also be helpful to identify other ways to exercise your dog, such as playing fetch in a fenced-in yard, while you鈥檙e working on any leash issues.
Shikashio believes one of the best things you can do is learn how to loose-leash walk your dog without having the leash in your hands. This is because a dog owner tightening the leash, pulling on the dog, or correcting the dog with the leash can create leash issues for the dog. The dog may associate that negative event with stimuli in the environment. Plus, the restriction of movement can cause frustration or limit the dog鈥檚 escape options. Instead, train your dog to walk nicely next to you by heavily reinforcing that position without holding the leash. Then, when you add in the leash, you鈥檙e using it for safety only. According to Shikashio, 鈥淭he leash is like a back-up if the dog does try to take off, but you鈥檝e got this 鈥榗ontrol鈥� over your dog鈥檚 movements based on just your verbal cues and orientation towards the dog because there鈥檚 a rich history of reinforcement 迟丑别谤别.鈥�
How to Manage and Treat Leash Aggression in Dogs
If your dog is already exhibiting leash aggression or aggression of any kind, it鈥檚 imperative to enlist the help of a professional such as a behavior consultant, dog trainer with aggression experience, or veterinary behaviorist. They will assess your dog鈥檚 behavior and tailor a treatment program. As Wheatcraft says, 鈥淓very dog is an individual and will require a specific set of skills best suited to their needs. There is no cookie cutter training plan that will work for every dog.鈥�
A behavior professional can teach you valuable skills such as proper leash handling, emergency U-turns, and muzzle training if your dog has a bite history. They will also help you develop situational awareness. Instead of being on high alert and ready for disaster, as is the case for many owners of leash aggressive dogs, you want to be proactive about the environment. That means paying attention to your dog鈥檚 triggers and being aware of exits or areas of safety. When you predict something might happen, be ready to pre-emptively engage with your dog, use a distraction technique, or move the dog away to play or perform other behaviors like nose work.
Finally, Shikashio says it鈥檚 important to advocate for your dog. Remember they aren鈥檛 trying to give you a hard time, they鈥檙e having a hard time themselves. Don鈥檛 put your leashed dog in a situation where they feel the need to escape. And use your dog鈥檚 body language, behavior, and physiological signs, to assess how they might be feeling, whether that鈥檚 fear, frustration, or rage. 鈥淐onsider that first and ask what you can do to help your dog feel better in that environment.鈥�
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