How can you help your dog when they display reactive or aggressive behaviours on the lead? Can your dog learn to stop doing this? What training methods should you use?
Following on from my previous article, “What Can I Do to Help Manage My Leash-Reactive Dog?”, this article explains some techniques that may help your dog manage or overcome reactive and aggressive behaviours while on the lead.
The following information is general and is not specific to your dog’s circumstances. If you need further help, please visit our Dog-to-Dog Reactivity page and contact us for an individual behaviour-modification plan.
CHANGING YOUR DOG’S EMOTIONAL RESPONSE
We won’t be able to change your dog’s behaviour unless we change how they feel about other dogs—or people, if people are your dog’s trigger.
We call this your dog’s emotional response. We want to help your dog develop a positive emotional response instead of the negative response they currently experience around other dogs or people.
To begin changing your dog’s emotional response, we need to create a controlled situation in which your dog is far enough away from the trigger to remain under threshold. This means your dog is relaxed, feels safe and can see the other dog without reacting.
For example, your dog may need to be on one side of a large park while the other dog appears on the opposite side.
Every dog’s threshold is different, so you need to identify the distance at which your dog feels safe and remains relaxed.
When your dog is under threshold, have your helper appear at a distance with another dog. As soon as the other dog appears, give your dog extra-special treats in quick succession.
Make sure these are the most fantastic treats in the world!
Your helper then moves out of sight with their dog, and you stop giving the treats. Repeat this process.
What is your dog learning?
Instead of thinking, “Dogs are scary and I want them to go away,” your dog begins to learn, “When unfamiliar dogs appear, good things happen.”
This process associates the trigger with something pleasurable. It can be extremely powerful and should not be skipped.
THE LOOK AT THAT GAME
After a while, your dog may look at the other dog and then look back at you as if to say, “Where is my treat?”
You can then begin playing the Look at That game, also known as LAT, developed by trainer Leslie McDevitt.
The process is simple: your dog looks at the trigger—another dog or person—and then looks back at you. You mark the behaviour with a clicker or verbal marker and give your dog a treat.
Your dog learns to look at the other dog, remain calm and then return their attention to you for a reward.
I like this method because it helps dogs become more comfortable with their trigger and feel better about its presence.
If your dog begins showing signs of stress or reacts when the other dog appears, your dog is not under threshold and you are too close.
We want to avoid pushing your dog into a reaction. Once a dog becomes highly distressed or aroused, learning becomes much more difficult.
Your dog needs to feel relaxed and safe enough for effective learning to occur.
DESENSITISATION
After many successful repetitions, you may be able to decrease the distance between your dog and the other dog very gradually. This process is called desensitisation.
Don’t move too close too quickly or place your dog under unnecessary stress. Allow your dog the choice to move forward or remain where they are comfortable.
This process takes time. For some dogs, it can require months of consistent training before they feel comfortable moving closer.
Expect it to be a gradual process and work at your dog’s pace.
BEHAVIOUR ADJUSTMENT TRAINING
You may also use Behaviour Adjustment Training, known as BAT, developed by Grisha Stewart.
Position your dog at a distance where they remain under threshold and wait for the trigger to appear.
Watch your dog closely for signs of relaxation or alternative behaviours, such as sniffing or turning their head away. As soon as you notice one of these behaviours, walk away from the trigger.
This provides your dog with a functional reward: the increased distance they wanted from the frightening thing.
You may give your dog a treat after you have moved away. After several seconds, return to the original position and repeat the process.
Repetition is important. Behaviour change will occur according to your dog’s ability to relax in the presence of the trigger.
“MY DOG IS JUST BEING DOMINANT!”
Your dog is not displaying reactive or aggressive behaviours because they are trying to be dominant, become the leader of the pack or deliberately cause problems.
They cannot help feeling frightened any more than you can. Your dog will use behaviours that have previously worked to make the frightening thing go away.
THE MAGIC WAND
Every day, I receive calls from people wanting me to fix their leash-reactive or aggressive dog.
Believe me, I wish I could offer an instant solution—but there is no magical cure.
Behaviour is complex and takes time to change. We are trying to help the brain build new associations and responses.
BE PATIENT AND UNDERSTANDING WITH YOUR DOG
You will need to be patient and understanding.
Sometimes, the behaviour cannot be completely eliminated. Progress may mean effectively managing it and limiting your dog’s exposure to certain triggers.
However, I strongly believe every dog has the capacity to improve.
We owe it to our dogs to protect them from situations that make them frightened or uncomfortable while helping them progress and feel safer in their world.
OWNERS NEED TO PUT IN THE WORK
Success will often depend on how consistently the owner follows the behaviour-change program and how committed they are to the process.
Sometimes progress stalls because an owner cannot—or does not want to—invest the time and effort required to change their dog’s behaviour.
WARNING: CHOOSE THE RIGHT TRAINER
Some dog trainers use punishment-based techniques such as shock collars, check chains, physical force or intimidation.
These methods can frighten dogs, cause pain or increase psychological distress. They may suppress the outward behaviour without changing the fear, stress or anxiety driving it.
When punishers and aversive methods are used to address fear, stress or anxiety, the dog may learn that the frightening trigger also predicts an unpleasant experience.
Some trainers claim they can cure dogs displaying reactive or aggressive behaviours. However, suppressing the visible behaviour does not mean the underlying issue has been resolved.
Our goal is to help the dog feel safer and more relaxed—not more fearful, stressed or anxious.
Rome wasn’t built in a day. Behaviour change takes time, and there are no guarantees. However, even small steps can make a meaningful difference to a dog’s life.
If your dog is sensitive or reactive to other dogs in the environment, please seek professional help early. We would be more than happy to help you.
Dogaholics Dog Training and Behaviour Services
Dogaholics is a dog training and behaviour service located in the Newcastle and Lake Macquarie area of NSW.
