This week's reader question is: What is the best way to stop a young, small dog from barking, heavy breathing and lurching towards other - particularly bigger - dogs while out walking?
The key to successfully walking your dog without reaction is to train your dog that when it is on leash it must be giving you its full attention. It is important that with this behaviour, we redirect the intention instead of correcting the reaction.
This means redirecting your dog's focus onto you rather than the approaching dog.
Dogs will react to the message you are sending it through the effective umbilical cord (known as the leash) connecting you to it and it is very common for owners who are aware of the "normal" reaction their dog exhibits such as above to anticipate that the meeting is not going to go well and apply pressure on the leash which causes your dog to then react negatively.
It is common for dogs to be reactive when on a leash as they feel they have no way of getting away from an approaching dog, whereas off-leash they are able to make their own choice whether to ignore, move away from or engage with a new dog.
Socialisation is also important with a young dog, and the best teacher of body language and reaction is always another dog, so play dates are a great idea. Remember that not every dog you come across while out walking needs to be greeted by your dog and a forced meeting will increase your dog's anxiety and turn the encounter into a fight situation if the dog you met reacts to your dog's outburst.
Tools for managing this behaviour include teaching your dog to "look at it", as dogs need to be able to make a visual connection with their trigger then ask for "look at me" and reward your dog for breaking the eye contact with the approaching dog.
Prolonged eye contact will heighten your dog's anxiety so a quick look is all that should be allowed. Then move onto engaging your dog in a game of "find it" by scattering treats on the ground in front of you while continuing to move forward.
Ensure you throw treats away from the approaching dog and carry on walking. It does not matter if your dog does not find all the treats you throw.
This game ensures your dog is more focused on the game you are playing than the approaching dog, as well as teaching your dog great things happen when other dogs are around. The game is only to be played while the other dog is in sight. As soon as they move on, the game stops.
Paw point of the week
Full foundation training is required to build a true bond of trust with your dog.
Contact me for the chance to have your question selected for publication at nadines@dogguru.co.nz
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