Among the dog's daily routines, he always walks on a leash. But there are times when the gentle walk becomes quite a tedious affair, both for the owner and the dog. One of the reasons that most cloud walks is that the dog acquires aggressive behavior and/or barks when crossing paths with other dogs. From the team of our site we understand the problem caused when a dog barks at other dogs when he is tiedtherefore, we want to help you solve it.
There are many cases in which, when he walks loose and hangs out with other dogs, he has an apparently normal behavior. But when out on a leash, is always on the defensive In this article we will help you understand the reason for this behavior and know how to control it.
Why does my dog bark at other dogs when he is on a leash?
The fact of "going on a leash" is something that restricts the freedom of movement of our dog. And, although it is an essential precaution for his safety, many times this feeling makes them anxious, because they are not totally confident or relaxed. Going tied does not allow them to flee if they are afraid or to run towards those stimuli that they consider interesting. So instead of enjoying the walk by sniffing, some dogs spend their time stalking and barking at every dog they pass.
This behavior is intended to away other dogs that are on the street and may be due to various reasons: trauma, untreated fears or phobias, poor puppy socialization, and even the dog's own genetics.
It is important to remain calm and let him know at all times that we are watching him, so that he trusts us more and does not show the initiative to bark at other dogs. If, in addition, our dog is an insecure dog by itself, being on a leash can make him feel more cornered. Insecurity generates anxiety towards everything they cannot control.
Don't use drastic methods
Many people consider the option of using a "training collar", such as choke or semi-choke collars. Even the use of an electric shock collar. These types of tools only cause pain to the animal and are contraindicated by various organizations, such as the European Society of Veterinary Clinical Ethology.[1]
What will happen in this case is that we will be adding another negative factor to a situation that was already stressful for the dog. It will be difficult for the animal to associate that you are the one causing the pain and, in the worst case, it can associate the pain with other people. What usually happens is that the dog associates pain with walks, that is, with being tied, and therefore, the problem we already had will notably increase. From the team of our site, we never defend this type of practice.
Small dogs tend to be more restless and insecure, which is why they bark more than large ones. Remember that when walking on a leash you should never subject him to stressful stimuli Some people force certain situations and, when they see a relaxed dog, drag theirs so that they meet and smell it, thinking that it will help them "socialize" or "get over the trauma. However, this is a serious mistake. The dog is the one who must take the first steps, the animal should never be forced to interact if it does not want to, since we will be risking an unpleasant situation. The leash should mean safety, never an obligation.
How to stop a dog from barking at other dogs?
Before using any behavior modification technique it is essential to visit the vet to rule out that the aggressiveness is due to a hormonal problem, to pain, to age… You should never work with a sick dog or one that does not comply with the 5 freedoms of animal welfare. Likewise, we also recommend that you see a specialist, be it educator, trainer or ethologist These figures are the only ones that can offer you an accurate behavioral diagnosis.
Reduce this behavior safely and confidently:
If your dog barks at other dogs when he is on a leash the objective will begin by understanding why and finding a solution that stabilizes our dog. To solve this problem we must be very patient and affectionate, but, above all, we must remain very calm and firm. Let him know that nothing is wrong. Our friend has nothing to fear, because we are here to calm him down: being on a leash is being safe We must make our dog trust us, that we carry the command during the ride and that we don't need him to defend us or himself.
- The first thing is to identify at what distance the dog starts to react. We must not overexpose him to the situations that make him most uncomfortable, it must be a gradual process until he feels safe. If we are drastic we will promote the fear of being tied down. To do this, we must be aware of our surroundings and avoid direct crossings on narrow roads, especially at the beginning.
- When we see a dog coming in our direction, we stop If the dog sits, much better. Find out how to teach a dog to sit. We will caress him and transmit security, that is, without speaking effusively. We will act as a physical barrier between him and his potential fear of him.
- We will maintain a serene and natural posture, while we caress or manipulate. If our dog barks, it is because the safety distance between the two dogs is too small.
- This technique is very effective, but it must be done at a distance and gradually reduce it, until we can come across another dog in tighter situations.
- We must stay in front of our dog and, if possible, make him look at us. We must be the center of attention for him. You can pet him under the chin to keep his head up. The caresses must be slow, stable: you must make him focus on you and on your calm.
- Repeat this exercise daily, at a controlled distance, before he reacts.
- Make sure it's focused on you. Close the distance without getting nervous It will take you many walks, but these problems must be de alt with calmly and patiently. If you get frustrated, it's best to leave it for the next walk before losing your cool.
In every situation where our dog is nervous, he should know that we are there to protect him. Don't forget to boost his confidence in yourself. It is essential to maintain your bond and overcome any behavioral problems that he suffers. Likewise, if these techniques do not work for you, we remind you of the importance of going to the veterinarian and the canine educator, professional figures who will help you work on this problem.
Tips
- Do not force your dog on a leash to approach something that makes him insecure.
- Reduces tense situations when he is tied up so he gains confidence on the leash
- Strengthen your bond with your pet while on a leash.
- Make the leash feel safe before facing tense situations.
- Keep calm and collected in situations that scare him.
- Promote relaxation exercises in controlled situations and then extrapolate them to tense situations.
