4 Ways to Reduce Your Dog's Reactivity on Walks
One of the problem behaviors I specialize in as a professional dog trainer is on-leash reactivity: barking, whining, growling, snarling, and lunging towards other dogs during walks.
I really enjoy teaching dogs that those things that currently trigger meltdowns can actually trigger attention to their handler instead!
If you have a reactive dog, here are four easy things you can do to reduce those embarrassing outbursts.
#1: Location, Location, Location
Neighborhoods are really difficult for reactive dogs. For most dogs, taking a neighborhood walk is like doing graduate or post-graduate school. Why?
Because there’s not enough space.
Mia enjoying a very early morning Sniffari at a giant park
Their triggers are everywhere and there’s no way to escape. No way to get far enough away to relax.
Simply switching where you can walk can go a long way to making walks more enjoyable for you and your dog. Instead of the neighborhood, try visiting a nice open park so you can see what’s coming and move away to a distance where your dog won’t react negatively.
#2: Pick a Different Time
Regardless of where you walk, go during the off-hours whenever possible.
Escape routes are everything for reactive dogs. Being able to see what’s coming doesn’t do you much good if it’s so crowded there’s no place to retreat.
#3: Take Your Treats
A treat trail mix of string cheese, breakfast sausage and soft, store-bought dog treats.
ALWAYS, and I do mean always, take those treats with you.
Keep them in a treat bag on your hip for quick access. You lose precious moments digging in your pocket for a baggie then wrestling that baggie open.
Also make sure the treats you’re taking along are good enough for the job. Most dogs need things like chicken, cheese, scrambled eggs or meatballs to compete with the lure of other dogs. Whatever you take must be very valuable to your dog.
BONUS: other owners who see you obviously working with your dog may be more likely to give you space as they recognize your dog needs extra help.
#4: Stop the Fence Fighting
We installed a temporary fence while our regular privacy fence was being replaced.
For something a little closer to home, make sure your dog is not running the backyard fence barking at other dogs or people. Letting your dog practice this behavior at home sabotages your efforts to stop the very same behavior on walks.
There are two no-training ways to reduce fence running/fighting:
Take your dog out to toilet on a long-line. If he starts the barking, you can quickly reel him inside instead of chasing him while he gets more and more worked up.
Create a separate toilet yard away from the troublesome fence lines. There are several ways to do this and it doesn’t have to be complicated. A couple of expens linked together, or some mesh/plastic safety netting can work. You can even use your house to form one section of “fence.”
For more information on turning your reactive dog’s triggers into triumphs, check out my blog post on Training Reactive Dogs to Stay Calm.