Many dogs have an aggressive side, and you often see this when they are on leashes. Dogs that are normally well-behaved can lunge and snarl at other dogs and people as you walk down the street. While he needs exercise, you do not want to put others at risk. What can you do about leash aggression?
However, there are some ways to deal with leash aggression so you can both get some good quality time and exercise outdoors.
If your dog seems like he is about to become aggressive, divert him with a command like sit or down. This will keep him occupied and should reroute his attention.
Dogs are masters at reading our body language. If you tense whenever you pass a person or another dog, your pet will pick up on it. He may think that you are scared and want to protect you. It is best to stay calm and act as if nothing is wrong if you can so your dog does too.
Try using a muzzle or a gentle leader when walking your dog. This should only be a temporary measure but if you are concerned your dog may lunge or bite, these can be very helpful.
If you have tried to curb leash aggression and your dog still misbehaves during walks, it is time to find a good trainer. You need professional help to stop this at once: not only is it disruptive to your own walks, it is dangerous to everyone and every animal you pass on the sidewalk.
Leash aggression isn't uncommon, but it is a potentially big problem. Start taking measures to cure your dog of this bad habit before bigger fixes are needed.
People are always impressed with well-trained dogs. Beyond impressing your friends and neighbors, teaching your dog the stay command can be extremely useful. Treats and lots of praise will make the learning process much easier, faster, and fun.
To learn to stay, your dog first needs to know how to sit and/or lie down. When he masters this, staying is the next step. Begin by telling him to sit or lie down. As he does this, put your hand out and say, "Stay." Make sure you use a firm yet calm voice.
Your dog may only be able to stay for a second or two at first. No matter how long he stays, remember to praise him and give him a treat. He will be able to stay longer as he practices.
Give the release command ? say "Ok," or "Come" - so your dog knows he doesn't have to lie down any longer. Give him a treat and lots of praise.
Gradually work on the length of time that your dog sits and stays before you give the release command. Make him work for that treat!
You don't want to practice for an hour though. Keep your training sessions short and sweet. Make them fun for your dog, provide lots of praise and rewards, and you'll get results. Five to ten minutes is a great amount of time for each training session, and you can do it several times a day.
Any longer and your dog will feel like he's in a marathon ? he'll get tired, cranky, and won't want to listen. At first, you may have to repeat, "Stay," often to remind your dog, especially if they're excited about their treat.
If you plan to keep working, your puppy can remain for longer times. You'll be satisfied when he stays even if you leave the room. Treats can be unnecessary right after training, but compliments is never outdated. Let your pet to know when he or she is doing an excellent job.
However, there are some ways to deal with leash aggression so you can both get some good quality time and exercise outdoors.
If your dog seems like he is about to become aggressive, divert him with a command like sit or down. This will keep him occupied and should reroute his attention.
Dogs are masters at reading our body language. If you tense whenever you pass a person or another dog, your pet will pick up on it. He may think that you are scared and want to protect you. It is best to stay calm and act as if nothing is wrong if you can so your dog does too.
Try using a muzzle or a gentle leader when walking your dog. This should only be a temporary measure but if you are concerned your dog may lunge or bite, these can be very helpful.
If you have tried to curb leash aggression and your dog still misbehaves during walks, it is time to find a good trainer. You need professional help to stop this at once: not only is it disruptive to your own walks, it is dangerous to everyone and every animal you pass on the sidewalk.
Leash aggression isn't uncommon, but it is a potentially big problem. Start taking measures to cure your dog of this bad habit before bigger fixes are needed.
People are always impressed with well-trained dogs. Beyond impressing your friends and neighbors, teaching your dog the stay command can be extremely useful. Treats and lots of praise will make the learning process much easier, faster, and fun.
To learn to stay, your dog first needs to know how to sit and/or lie down. When he masters this, staying is the next step. Begin by telling him to sit or lie down. As he does this, put your hand out and say, "Stay." Make sure you use a firm yet calm voice.
Your dog may only be able to stay for a second or two at first. No matter how long he stays, remember to praise him and give him a treat. He will be able to stay longer as he practices.
Give the release command ? say "Ok," or "Come" - so your dog knows he doesn't have to lie down any longer. Give him a treat and lots of praise.
Gradually work on the length of time that your dog sits and stays before you give the release command. Make him work for that treat!
You don't want to practice for an hour though. Keep your training sessions short and sweet. Make them fun for your dog, provide lots of praise and rewards, and you'll get results. Five to ten minutes is a great amount of time for each training session, and you can do it several times a day.
Any longer and your dog will feel like he's in a marathon ? he'll get tired, cranky, and won't want to listen. At first, you may have to repeat, "Stay," often to remind your dog, especially if they're excited about their treat.
If you plan to keep working, your puppy can remain for longer times. You'll be satisfied when he stays even if you leave the room. Treats can be unnecessary right after training, but compliments is never outdated. Let your pet to know when he or she is doing an excellent job.
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