Why does you sweet lovable dog turn into an aggressive snarling dog when you put it on a leash and go to a park or are walking with them?

There are very good reasons why dogs become aggressive, and bark or pull on a leash  and become Leash Re-active.

Dogs will Naturally Pull on a Leash

The dog feels restricted or prevented from either protecting itself or you the pack leader from a perceived threat and is making a show or display of aggression to fend off the approaching dog.   This is in the dog’s nature to do so and a few tips will help you to control your dog when they become Leash Reactive.  This happens when your dog is unfamiliar with the approaching dog and assumes it is a threat therefore it needs to become aggressive by standing on its two rear legs, barking and reacting because it feels restrained to protect you or itself.

Leash Tips for Reactive Dogs

This is the time where you must control your dog and watch for the reactions of both dogs.  One way is to distract your dog from what it perceives as a threat.

1) Keep your dog distracted with a treat or biscuit until the other dog passes by your dog.

2) Step in front of your dog and place yourself between your dog and the other dog.-this establishes that you are the “leader” and that your dog should stand down.

3) Give the leash a tug, make your dog sit and obey commands, put your hand on the dog’s front chest and tap on it.  This establishes that you are the pack leader and the dog will obey you.

4) Do this every time your dog becomes leash reactive -and over time your dog will become less reactive. This works the best with my dog or else my arm would be stretched beyond its length.

5) When your dog rear’s up or becomes aggressive -put your fully stretched out hand in front of its face. It will back down immediately and resume a normal position. You must step in front of the dog for it to understand it should back down.

6) Praise your dog each time when it does not react with a treat, or praise them for behaving properly. Remember Reward for Good Behavior and show dismay with bad behavior.

The quickest way to avoid leash pulling or aggressive behavior is the stepping between your dog and the other dog-works every time.  In this way you are telling your dog this is not proper behavior and you are “stepping in to stop the behavior.”
Your dog will get the message eventually and stop the pulling action each time your dog sees another dog.

Remember dogs recognize friend or foe by smelling them and this is their main goal is to smell the other dog, which is not necessary to you -but is natural to the other dog.

Smart Dog Tip

Other owners will tell you or ask you if your dog is “friendly” and if their dog is not friendly -try to steer your dog away from them.  Take the other owner’s word for it and avoid the dog.

Dog Breeds

Some dogs are breed to protect property and person and with these dogs are to be watched carefully when venturing in public.  Boston Terriers are one of those breeds
are bred to fight.

Learn to do some leash training with your dog when you are alone in the park and there are no distractions.  Simple commands to stop your dog from ‘feeling threatened” can help with your dog learning not to be aggressive in public while on a leash.

TAGS:   why is my dog aggressive on a leash, leash training, aggressive dogs, training aggressive dogs, simple commands, dog breeds, aggressive dog breeds, smart dog tips, dog leashes, dog tugging on leash.

What ever happened to the Michael Vick dogs that were trained to fight? Did they go through rehab, or did PETA want them destroyed?