Understanding Leash Reactivity
What is Leash Reactivity, and what are the behaviors associated with this challenging condition? Head of Training & Behavior, Karishma Warr, explains.
What Is Leash Reactivity?
Leash reactivity a term we use to describe an overreaction to stimuli frequently experienced on walks. At CCA we are experts in treating leash reactivity in the hectic urban environment. Although this behavior concern can be extremely distressing and stressful for the guardians, there is help and a path to true behavor change when we understand this condition and employ humane treatment strategies
Common Behaviors:
Freezing
Excessive Pulling
Hyper Fixation
Jumping
Lunging
Whining
Barking
Common Triggers:
Dogs
People
Vehicles
Children
Fast moving objects
Other animals
Objects
Why Do Dogs Become Leash Reactive?
Dogs with leash reactivity are not ‘excited’, ‘stubborn’, or just being ‘naughty’ dogs. They are often experiencing genuine fear, stress and overwhelm, and are not in control of their behavior. Every dog is different, and specific motivating factors behind their reactive behavior vary from dog to dog. However it is fair to say that the majority of dog exhibiting barky, lungs behavior on leash are experiencing big emotions
Underlying Emotions
Fear
Frustration
Anxiety
Overwhelm
You will need to become an expert in reading dog body language to decipher what underlying emotions are motivating your dogs reactive behaviors.
“Dogs with leash reactivity are not ‘excited’, ‘stubborn’, or just being ‘naughty’ dogs. They are often experiencing genuine fear, stress and overwhelm, and are not in control of their behavior.”
Is Leash Reactivity Treatable?
One of the biggest questions we get at CCA is: Is Leash Reactivity Treatable? It can seem impossible when your dog reacts at the merest whiff of a trigger, from impossible distances. Now add in the hectic and uncontrollable urban environment: when people come to us they are often at the end of their tether, and struggling through every walk.
Luckily there is a truly effective treatment plan, and we at CCA are experts at coaching guardians through the steps needed to change their dogs behavior and help them feel safe and sane in our hectic human world.
MANAGMENT
Managment protocols will avoid the behavior being rehearsed. For many leash reactive dogs in the city this often means minimizing walks for weeks or even months.
ENRICHMENT
Minimizing walks means we need to be extra careful to meet the dogs physical and mental needs while they are avoiding their triggers. Indoor enrichment, decompression walks, and mental stimulation protocols will ensure we meet your dogs needs while we pursue effective training strategies
TRAINING
Training involves building communication and changing how our dogs feel around their triggers, so that the need to react goes away. We use science based counterconditioning methods to teach and reinforce replacement behaviors such as looking at their handler, or walking calmly away from the trigger.
Get Started Today
Behavior change is possible! But behavior is complex and the urban environment can significantly complicate things and many find themselves struggling with limited free resources available online. One thing that can significantly speed up progress is to collaborate with a professional.
Our leash reactivity specialists craft individualized daily desensitization and counterconditioning sessions for our clients. Empowering them with the skills to systematically reduce sensitivity to the triggers(s) and build communication on leash walks.
Through our digital coaching service we have successfully empowered clients in some of the most challenging environments, including New York, LA, London, Boston, Washington, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Rio De Jeniro and more.
Contact us today and let us help you take the reigns on your dogs journey to behavior change
