DOGS WHO DISPLAY LEASH REACTIVITY

By far, one of the most common behaviour problems that dog trainers are asked to address is leash-reactivity. The normally calm, enjoyable dog that turns into a quivering, snarling, white-hot ball of canine terror at the mere sight of another dog on a walk. Owners of these dogs become members of the Midnight Walking Club, changing their walking schedules to avoid other dogs. This behaviour appears in dogs purebred and mixed who were acquired as puppies from breeders and adopted from rescues. Leash-reactive behaviour does not discriminate by breed or background. In spite of all the lunging, snarling, growling and barking, some of these dogs are actually quite friendly to other dogs when off-leash. yet, when they are on-leash and on a walk, they become the canine equivalent of Mr. Hyde.   This is why the behaviour is more accurately referred to as leash-reactivity; the dog is reacting to something in the environment. Simply being attached to a leash does not incite aggressive behaviour. CAUSE There can be many causes for leash-reactive behaviours including genetics, lack of early socialization a traumatic experience, or a series of negative experiences. From the dog's perspective, his reactive behaviour is very effective. Because each time he does it, the other dog goes away. He doesn't realize that the other dog probably lives two blocks over and is on the way home. In the dog's mind, his behaviour effectively prevented a serious conflict. Some high-energy dogs develop leash-frustration, especially dogs that regularly visit the dog park. These dogs learn that other dogs equal rowdy, unchecked play sessions and have poor self-control. When they spot another dog, they prepare to launch into their normal rowdy behaviour, only to find themselves restrained by the leash. Their excitement quickly turns into frustration, which can manifest as leash-reactive behaviour. What is usually not a common cause of leash-reactive behaviour is lack of exercise (despite the claims of a popular television show). In the vast majority of leash-reactive cases, the dogs are walked regularly. In one recent case, the dog was being walked four times per day for over 45 minutes to an hour each walk. While physical exercise is just as important for dogs as it is in humans, it cannot solve behaviour problems...in either species. THRESHOLDS Each dog's threshold, or "tipping point" is different. Some dogs may be able to walk past a dog on the other side of the street without reacting, while others will react from 100 yards away. Once a dog is reacting to another dog, the part of the brain that processes the fight/flight reflex is active. When this part of the brain is active, the part of the brain that processes learning is shut off, so that the body can reserve as much energy as needed for survival. If you are being chased by a bear, you don't want your brain worrying about taxes. Once a dog is "over-threshold" he is no longer learning and the opportunity to train a different behaviour is gone. Effective behaviour modification programs start by keeping the dog "under-threshold" or at a point where the dog is able to focus on the owner, and able to learn. PUNISHMENT When people don't know how to handle a problem with their dogs, they almost always default to punishment. The punishment may vary from verbal reprimands to physical corrections. The majority of the time, this not only does not improve the leash-reactive behaviour, but makes it worse, as the dog's already negative association to strange dogs is now enhanced by the punishment. Punishment often appears to work, because it suppresses the behaviour in the moment. However, most dog owners find that the dog renews the behaviour at each walk and, gradually, increases the frequency and intensity of the behaviour. The rule of effective punishment is that it completely stops the behaviour after 2-3 trials. If the behaviour keeps recurring, the punishment is not working. Temporary suppression of behaviour is not changed behaviour. Punishment-based methods also require that the owner wait for the dog to exhibit the reactive behaviour. Not only is the dog not able to learn in this state, but he gets to practice the behaviour and the owner is now in a position of reacting to the dog's behaviour, instead of taking charge of the situation before it becomes a problem. TREATMENT The most effective treatment for leash-reactive behaviour, no matter the cause, is the gradual process of desensitization and counter-conditioning (DS/CC). Desensitization is the process of exposing the dog to other dogs, or trigger, at a distance where the dog is "under-threshold" or not reactive. At that point, the dog is then taught an alternate, more acceptable behaviour, such as focusing on the owner. Little by little, the gap between the reactive dog and the strange dog is closed and at each stage the alternate behaviour is practiced and rewarded. This puts the owner in control of the situation rather than reacting to the dog. OPTIONS While group classes can sometimes be a realistic goal for owners of leash-reactive dogs to work towards, they do not present an effective solution for the behaviour, itself. Leash-reactive behaviour can often escalate in this environment, especially if there are other leash-reactive dogs in the class. This environment only serves to reinforce the dog's belief that other dogs present a threat. Some shelters offer "growl classes" specifically for dogs with leash-reactive behaviours. The DS/CC process is practiced with a small group of dogs in a controlled, indoor environment. These classes give dogs owners skills they can transfer to the outside world. Working individually with a behaviour consultant or trainer experienced in DS/CC methods provides the dog owner with a personalized training program for them and their dog. In addition to learning the DS/CC process, a behaviour consultant "coaches" the owner, improving their handling skills and timing and providing support throughout the process. CONCLUSION Even though this is a common behaviour problem, it is frustrating and often embarrassing for the owner. Behaviour modification requires a significant commitment on the part of the owner/s and can sometimes take months to address. However, with the average life span of our dogs steadily increasing to up to 20 years in some cases, a few months of dedication can yield more pleasant walks for the rest of your dog's life.