In this post, I’ll go over some tips on how to prevent your puppy from developing aggression to other dogs while on a LEASH.
There’s a Dalmatian puppy in our apartment complex.
A Dalmatian!
But, the puppy is not so tiny anymore, and when I see her out walking she is so excited every time someone passes that she jumps, pulls and puts her paws on people.
Pulling and jumping towards people or dogs is not aggression, but this kind of excitement can LEAD to frustration, which is one cause for a dog’s aggression while on a leash.
It works like this:
Dog sees other dog. Dog gets excited. Dog pulls. Dog can’t get to other dog. Dog gets frustrated. Dog lunges and barks and growls.
“Leash aggression” or “leash reactivity” is oh so common in dogs, and it’s often (not always) caused by:
1. Frustration
2. Fear
There are other reasons too, like guarding the owner or just lacking in social skills, but I want to focus on FRUSTRATION because it’s so common.
Puppies don’t come pre-trained.
So let’s focus on this:
How can you PREVENT a puppy’s excitement from leading to frustration and aggression?
I’d love to hear what’s worked for you. Leave your answer in the comments.
Below are my ideas. These are just my ideas. I’m not perfect.
How to prevent a puppy or dog from developing leash aggression
If only it were that easy right? Well, it is. Get the puppy out and about, expose him to new places so he’s tired, and get him used to seeing other dogs and people so it’s not such a big deal.
And then a basic obedience class. And then take another class. And another … keep on training in group settings for at least a year if you can swing the cost. But I’d say that initial puppy class is non-negotiable. Just do it. If you don’t have the money, check with local shelters to see if they know of any free classes or puppy playtimes.
See my post: Easy tips for socializing a puppy
3. Work on solid obedience skills from DAY 1.
Work in short sessions, staying positive with highly valued food rewards. This teaches the puppy self-control (which a lot of adult dogs lack). It also teaches her to pay attention to YOU.
4. Begin to teach appropriate greeting skills right away.
This could be as simple as asking for a sit before greeting another dog. Then, progress to sitting for 5 seconds. Keep it simple, but ask your pup to do something CALMING before greeting other dogs, assuming your pup likes other dogs. You’re using the other dog as a reward. Calm behavior leads to other dogs.
5. Use a no-pull harness or training collar.
The right training collar will depend on your dog’s breed, how big and how strong she is and which tool you are comfortable using. I recommend a no-pull harness, a martingale collar or a slip collar.
You could also try a prong collar or a Gentle Leader. For my future puppy, I plan to start out with a martingale collar, which is a slip (choke) collar that doesn’t tighten all the way.
Finally, by all means, get some help from a professional trainer if you’d like some further direction and ideas. Even a single one-on-one session can give you some valuable ideas. This is a small investment for setting up your puppy for a lifetime of balance and success.
Also, you’ll probably make some mistakes. We all do. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Move on.
OK, time to hear from you. Jump in on this discussion.
How would you prevent a puppy’s leash aggression?
Also see my posts:
5 tips for managing a leash-reactive dog
Stop a dog from barking and growling at other dogs
Why I judge people with reactive dogs
Barbara Havrisko
Wednesday 14th of October 2015
I have an almost 5-yr old Golden Retriever named Moose and an almost 3 yr old Yellow Lab named Hooper. They are big dogs weighing a bit over 200 lbs. together. Moose is a pretty frisky Golden always wanting to play with his tennis ball. Hooper is pretty laid back but has his occasional burst of playfulness. Hooper loves to walk and he only likes to walk when Moose comes along although he will go but doesn't want to go very far when Moose is not with him. Moose's best buddy whom he was always with since a puppy, snuggled with and was very close to an older dog we had when we got Moose as a pup. Well, I guess Moose was about 1 1/2 when Bear his buddy died. He was a bit over 13 and got sick pretty quick. Moose went into a depression! It was very evident. At that time he loved other dogs and I never had a problem with him. He had been to dog classes and started training him for therapy. Well, I ran out of money and this had to stop and then his buddy died. I tried to keep Moose busy but I had to work three days a week but would try to take him to doggy day care and took him on a lot of walks. We ended up finding Hooper who was about 6 months old when we got him. He did not come from a nice place and didn't know how to play. Well, they took to each other immediately. But about 6 months after that I noticed that Moose was starting to bark when other dogs would walk near us on a walk. I walked both of them by myself most of the time. I tried to correct Moose but I know I wasn't doing it the right way now that I know a bit more. There was also a lot of turmoil in our house with my husband's older stepson causing a lot of stress in the home. Moose also has been a puller from day one. We tried everything! I don't think I was using the prong collar correctly when our old trainer had put it on him. Nothing much works. I have been working with them trying to stop this leash aggressiveness as I enjoy walking them both and don't have a lot of time to walk them separately for the long walk that they need. I do play ball with Moose as much as I can but Hooper needs more walking as he is getting a bit overweight. Our neighborhood is filled with dogs and I know a few that Moose is reactive too. Hooper doesn't seem to get as reactive when my husband is walking him with us but will occasionally. I have tried a couple of dog trainers but they haven't worked. I want to to learn how to "fix" the problem not just put a bandaid on it. We had been working with a pronged collar and I read a lot about it so now know how to correctly use it. I have also been trying to get Moose (well both of them) to do the Watch Me and give them small but good treatings when I start seening them becoming reactive. They had actually pulled me down one day when someone was walking their pitbull across the street. Her dog is leash reactive but had a rough life and mine reacted to her dog and down I went. I managed to hold on to my dogs thank heavens as she took her time leaving. I was almost home and had to get home as I had to pick my mother up from the hospital. I am looking for another trainer and really just am not sure what to do! I need to learn how to help them so that I CAN help them. I think I need more training than they do. Do you have any suggestions? I don't have a lot of money as I again lost my job and have been off for two months and am also worried about them when I go back to work. I used to be able to stop home on my lunch break but with this new job I won't be able to. I am the one that pays the most attention to the dogs. I brush them, bathe them, feed them, take them to the vet, walk them. You name it I am the one that does it. Hooper suffers from a lot of allergies both indoor and out and is on medication that he gets morning and night (instead of shots he gets a squirt in the mouth) as well as allergy pills. I also need some tips on how to get them more exercise and how to tire them out. We try to do things at home but again, I do so much at home and now will be working and finding the time is a bit difficult although I do try to work with them a bit each day but again, not sure what I am doing! If there are any good books that you might suggest or any ideas, please, please let me know. I need help and I just want what is best for my boys so that they can live long and happy lives! Thank you. I appreciate your help!
Dogmomx2
Lindsay Stordahl
Wednesday 14th of October 2015
Hey Barbara. Have you tried a Gentle Leader type collar that fits over the dog's muzzle. It takes a couple of walks for them to get used to it but it really helps most dogs.
I also recommend the book Feisty Fido by Patricia McConnell.
I think you will find this post helpful: http://www.thatmutt.com/2015/07/08/stop-a-dog-from-barking-and-growling-at-other-dogs-on-walks/
Rachel @ My Two Pitties
Tuesday 1st of September 2015
Great tips! I would add that you should work on the puppy a lot in your own house or yard where there are no distractions. Get them really interested and excited about you. That will eventually translate into your relationship with them outside the house. And not force them to be so close to other dogs so soon if they are too excited (like in a pet store). And also get focus on you, a nice sit & watch before releasing a puppy to go play with others. These are all things that worked well for Kaya & Norman!
Lindsay Stordahl
Wednesday 2nd of September 2015
Oh good idea!
Dawn
Monday 31st of August 2015
Good tips. Pierson was a year old when I got him. He wasn't quite leash aggressive at that time. I worked on training and socializing. He did well. But I think I went wrong when I wasn't able to continue the socializing during winter. It was after a first full winter, after he turned two, that the dog aggression and leash reactive behavior got really bad. We're slowly making positive progress, though.
Lindsay Stordahl
Monday 31st of August 2015
I know you've done lots of work with him and are making improvements. He's such a good boy!
Angela
Thursday 27th of August 2015
I swear by our no-pull harness. Bella was a nightmare to walk before we picked one up (a Halti). We put it on her and it was an instant change. We aren't using it as a panacea, though. Training is the most important factor, and I hope she outgrows the harness as she matures.
Lindsay Stordahl
Thursday 27th of August 2015
Yep, I agree! So helpful when you're working on training.
Anna
Thursday 27th of August 2015
Do you know what kind of puppy are you looking for? Exciting news!
Lindsay Stordahl
Thursday 27th of August 2015
Yes, a weimaraner! :)