A reactive dog can be prone to sudden outbursts based on triggers in their surroundings. However, some dogs become reactive primarily when confined to their leash. Walking with this pup typically involves an embarrassing display that elicits astonished and fearful responses from passersby.

Pet parents who deal with leash reactivity often limit walks instead, choosing to isolate exercise and playtime in their home as they search for solutions. Searching for a professional trainer to work with you is a wise strategy when faced with a dog that is becoming increasingly stressed.

In Madison, Sit Means Sit offer customized programs focused on behavioral issues including leash reactivity. You’ll be better positioned to prevent explosive episodes when the triggers become more apparent. These are different from one dog to the next.

A qualified dog trainer will use this knowledge and discern the root cause of the behavior to form an adequate program.

Tips To Reduce Episodes of Leash Reactivity

Triggers for leash reactivity can range from one dog to another but relate to objects, people, other animals, and sounds in their surroundings. Something can startle a dog resulting in a reaction like a sudden gust of wind that rustles leaves. 

Often the behavior is based in fear or frustration. Part of that frustration is feeling like the leash is trapping the pup from escaping what he perceives as a threat. His response then is to try to scare the trigger away with an explosive warning. 

When tuned in to your dog’s body language, it will keep you a step ahead of the behavior. Key signs that he’s about to react can include:

• Whining
• Raised hackles
• Pupil dilation
• Growling
• Staring
• Stiffening
• Startling
• Barking

When attempting to stop episodes of leash reactivity, trainers will approach the behavior from a few angles. The professional needs to address the external manifestations displayed based on internal emotions. 

The primary focus is determining the underlying cause and finding solutions to manage this fear or frustration. In turn, the program will then be successful in remedying the explosive response. 

Visit  https://blog.healthypawspetinsurance.com/leash-reactivity-in-dogs-a-trainer-explains-what-to-do for guidance on what to do with a leash-reactive dog. Here are steps to follow when training these pups.

Prevent “rehearsal” of behavior

A dog will continue the same pattern when engaging in behavior and seeing its effectiveness. His objective is to either escape his trigger or scare it away since he’s confined to the leash. 

Most pet parents will immediately remove their dog from the situation in response to the outburst. This leads the canine to believe his behavior in that circumstance was appropriate.

A qualified trainer will dedicate a fundamental part of the training program to preventing lunging and incessant barking. You want to avoid allowing this behavior pattern even only occasionally. 

The dog can readily revert to the survival instinct of trying to escape from stress-inducing situations when he still has that option. This can mean walks once the pup is better prepared and demonstrates trigger tolerance with at least a low-intensity exposure.

The trainer can offer guidance on exercises and playtime to engage and stimulate your canine at home without the threat of triggers.  

Acknowledge the triggers

Knowledge goes a long way in helping to establish an effective training program. The more informed you and the training professional are about what triggers the reactivity, the better prepared you’ll be to resolve the issues. 

When your pup has a few triggers, list them from the one with the most powerful reaction to the least. Sometimes dogs will have a single trigger but because it stimulates such an extreme response, he begins to startle over multiple things. 

These can be everyday situations that wouldn’t typically stir a response when the pup starts from baseline. 

Desensitization/Counterconditioning

Desensitization and counterconditioning are behavior modification techniques trainers use for dogs dealing with underlying fear issues.

Desensitization is a systematic approach to introducing the pup’s trigger to avoid the lunging and barking response. Visual triggers are kept at a distance in the beginning while a low-volume sound recording presents auditory triggers.

Counterconditioning is training the canine to associate the trigger positively instead of seeing it as a negative. The trainer will work to achieve a “conditioned emotional response,” where the pup excitedly anticipates seeing the trigger instead of dreading the experience. 

This is accomplished through the use of food. He’s rewarded when the dog sees his trigger and doesn’t react. The treat should be food he wouldn’t get under any other circumstances and one he values. The trigger then becomes something worthwhile instead of a threat.

Trainers often combine these techniques to give the dog a low level of exposure while presenting the trigger as something positive.

Wellness and quality of life

Aside from working to manage leash reactivity, developing an emotional wellness plan is essential. You can work with the vet to find ways to make improvements such as establishing coping mechanisms, reducing stress, and increasing confidence.

Releasing pent-up energy and stimulating the pup both physically and mentally is essential and can be done in various ways. When on walks away from triggers, allow your dog to explore, follow a new exercise regimen, use food and brain puzzles, and more.

An important thing to remember is that dogs will feed off of your energy. When walking with your pup, controlling your behavior in the face of triggers is essential. 

If you have a reactive pup, you’re likely automatically stressed at the start of a walk. Go here for guidance in dealing with the emotional toll a reactive canine can bring to your life.

Before heading out, try to breathe and relax to avoid tightening the leash at the first sign of a problem. The pup will be alerted to a perceived threat causing him to react as well when you do this. 

 Final Thought

A Madison professional training program is ideal when working with a leash-reactive dog. A qualified trainer has the knowledge and expertise to safely and correctly modify unwanted behaviors.

The professional aims to instill skills to help you enjoy peaceful walks with your canine in any area of the city.