DON’T REINFORCE LUNGING OR PULLING ON LEASH
If puppy is pulling toward another dog or dogs that he is going to play with, don’t unsnap him while he is pulling. Instead, ask for attention to you, reward the attention with tasty treats, then release dog to play. Make this a habit. Make a promise to yourself right now that you will never let pulling be rewarded.BE AWARE OF ASSOCIATIONS
If every time puppy sees another dog he pulls and you correct puppy with verbal or physical punishment, he can form this association: other dogs equal pain in my neck and/or an angry owner. This is an unpleasant association, and can cause your puppy to fear the approach of other dogs. Instead, get puppy’s attention and give a tasty treat every time he sees or hears a strange dog. This helps him form a pleasant association: yippee! a dog! I might get a treat! (This technique also results in a dog who pays attention to you around other dogs – a good thing.)GREETINGS SHOULD BE RITUALIZED
Puppy should never be allowed to pull and meet another dog on leash. If sometimes pulling works and sometimes it doesn’t, puppy can become frustrated when he pulls and doesn’t get to greet. Instead, follow these simple rules…- Go Say Hi! or some other consistent cue should be used before puppy can greet
- Attention should be on you before you allow puppy to greet (in other words, before you say “go say hi!”)
- Short & sweet – on leash greetings should be just a few seconds, then puppy should be called away (and rewarded!)
- Loose leash – tight leases make it difficult for dogs to communicate with each other and can increase stress as well. Keep the leash loose while dogs are greeting, and don’t drag puppy away, call him away instead (this takes lots of practice with high value rewards!)
KEEP PUPPY WELL SOCIALIZED
Socializing puppy during this sensitive period is important, but it is also important to maintain this socialization for puppy’s entire adolescence.MANAGE WHEN YOU NEED TO
If puppy is in a situation that he cannot handle/get past without pulling or lunging, use a treat transport, tug transport, carry puppy, or move him gently on his front-clip harness to avoid him practicing this behavior.
QUICK PRO TIPS:
- A front-clip harness is the best equipment for a puppy showing signs of dog-reactivity.
- It is a myth that friendly, dog-social dogs cannot become reactive. Many dogs who play well off-leash become reactive on-leash out of frustration, arousal, and a lack of self-control.
- Many trainers do not allow their dogs to greet other dogs on leash at all. This keeps things simple for the dog. Being on leash is a clear cue to these dogs that other dogs are unavailable, and therefore they do not become frustrated or confused. The dog’s social needs are met in play groups and meet ups, not during leash walks. It is an option, albeit an unusual one.
- Take care of this problem sooner rather than later. It will not get better on its own, and allowing puppy to practice barking, lunging, and pulling toward other dogs is something you will certainly regret later.