How to fix leash aggression?

Question

My dog has leash agression. He is fine off the leash, and is very friendly and playfull with other dogs. I dont know what to do. I hope I can work this out, without going to a trainer. Any suggestions?

I have been to training and I am not cheap. This problem has just arised!

I have purchased a pinch collar, and a choke collar. I place it properly on him as well. My dog, so well behaved off the leash. He his a great hunting dog, and has been to several months of training when he was a puppy. Thank you to all for you input.

I have purchased a pinch collar, and a choke collar. I place it properly on him as well. My dog, so well behaved off the leash. He his a great hunting dog, and has been to several months of training when he was a puppy. Thank you to all for you input.

Answer 1

if you don't want to go to a trainer or obedience school then why bother having the dog?
would you ask for a quick fix for your kid if he was having problems? going to training is NOT JUST for the dog...its for you too, you learn WHAT a dog is thinking, how he thinks and why he does the things he does.

here are some sites that talk about your problem. but i hope you aren't to cheap, or lazy to get him the training he REALLY needs..before he ends up hurting someone elses dog!

http://www.seefido.com/html/lunging_and_on-leash_aggressio.htm

http://www.paw-rescue.org/PAW/PETTIPS/DogTip_AggressionToApproachingDogsAndPeople.php

Answer 2

Make sure he's getting plenty of strenuous exercise every day, at least a thirty minute run. A lot of aggression comes from pent up energy - a tired dog is a peaceful dog! Use a sturdy leash and chain or nylon choke collar. Do NOT use a pinch (prong) collar to correct aggression! Pinch collars will cause aggression problems to worsen and could injure the dog if you need to forcibly restrain him. Even better, buy one of Cesar Millan's special Illusion collars that keeps the collar up high behind the dog's ears where it belongs.
http://cesarmillan.securesites.net/icollar.php

Do lots of work on sit-stay and down-stay (on ONE command!) and walking without the dog pulling you. Don't hold your dog back when another dog approaches. That makes him feel tougher - like a guy in a bar who doesn't really want to fight, but with his friends holding him back, he's all mouth. As soon as he starts staring at the other dog and you see those ears prick up - you know what's coming. Correct him with a quick jerk on the leash and turn in the opposite direction. He can't be barking if you're briskly walking away. Then turn back toward the other dog and do it all over and over again until he won't even LOOK at the other dog.

Prearrange a meeting on neutral ground as often as you can with people who have non-dominant dogs. Make your dog lie down and stay. He can't be posturing and aggressive if he's lying down. Just make sure the other person doesn't let their dog hassle yours when he's being good. Have a long conversation with the other owner - long enough for your dog to be completely relaxed. If he starts to get antsy, you can tap him on top of the head or nudge him in the side to distract him. It's best if YOU walk away first - if the other dog leaves first, yours may see it as an opportunity for a sneak attack.

If you can't afford a trainer, read some great books on training. (Try not to pick books randomly - there are a lot of bad books out there also!) These are some of my favorites and you can get them on Amazon.com
What All Good Dogs Should Know – Volhard http://www.volhard.com/
Good Owners, Great Dogs - Brian Kilcommins
Training Your Dog: The Step by Step Method - Volhard
Dog Problems - Benjamin
Cesar's Way - Cesar Millan
Also, watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic Channel. Cesar Millan is the best trainer I've ever seen on TV.
http://www.dogpsychologycenter.com/

Answer 3

My old dog used to do this, but my current dogs have no problem (so far.) A lot of it is that they feel cornered. They feel like, if the other dog becomes aggresive, they can't go anywhere, because they are leashed. Another part of it, at least for my old dog, was protection. She was a sheepdog and I was her sheep, lol, so she would often freak out about other dogs who appeared to pose a threat to me. The only way that I can think to fix this, aside from letting your dog off leash when another dog approaches, is making sure that you give the dog A LOT of slack in the leash so that he does not feel as cornered. Also, just be sure to warn other people when they approach you with your dog on a leash, so that their dog doesn't overwhelm yours, which can also lead to aggression. Also, the pinch and choke collars may be worsening the feeling of the lack of escape, because the dogs knows it will be choked/pinched if it tries to run off.

Answer 4

Leash aggression is also referred to as barrier frustration. The barrier is the leash. The worst thing you can do is put a choke chain or a pinch collar on a leash aggressive dog. The tightening of the collar when the dog is looking at other dogs is only going to make your dog more aggressive. It will associate the sensation with the dog it is looking at.
Get a head halter, I prefer the Halti, and get it properly fitted. Then teach your dog to "Watch" you. If your dog is watching you, he won't get all upset when another dog is around.
You can also start from a distance, when you see another dog approaching (I suggest you get a friend with a dog to help at first)
start feeding your dog the yummiest pieces of food, like chicken, around. When you get close enough to the other dog that your dog stops taking the chicken, call it good and part.
Repeat, each time getting closer and closer then passing.
The idea is to classically condition your dog to believe other dogs means HE gets chicken.
He will soon welcome other dogs.
And read Dr. Patricia McConnell's book "Feisty Fido" which is designed for this particular issue.
Actually, I recommend reading "The Culture Clash" by Jean Donaldson, "The Other End of the Leash" by Dr. Patricia McConnell, "Bones would Rain From the Sky" by Suzanne Clothier, also.

Answer 5

Dogs can be aggressive on leash for many reasons.
The most common is insecurity they feel held back and at a disadvantage to the other dogs thus, they overreact.
the second is he feels like he is the alpha and needs to protect you from other dogs.
both of these problems can be solved by an owner who is not second to the dog. Be more calm but stern with him on his walks and at home and he will look to you for signs as to weather he should or shouldn't be aggressive.

Answer 6

The dog needs slack in the leash. Just before the dog takes up the slack you give a quick jerk on the lead then release. This is while the does is wearing a choker that is put on right. The ring the chain goes through should act as a pulley when you pull on the chain. If you put it on backwards it doesn't work. Also, big dog, thin choker.

Answer 7

Get a education collar. each timee he acts up, superb him with it. he receives the image. Our GSDC said a pinch collar only for education purposes only. It has done wonders, and she or he's attending to understand quick, and shifting accurate alongside. He get aggressive interior the abode in the present day eliminate the animal from the source!! superb him, preserving "undesirable dogs" or NAUGHTY, and bypass him to a distinct room. outta sight outta recommendations. even as he settles down, deliver him again in. He does it again, keep repeating it. he receives the hint ultimately. once u placed that leash on, he receives agressive? quick "SNAP SNAP" of that education collar and a STERN no, then down ur dogs. even as he's nice, praise him and allow him again up. YOUR the boss no longer him.. good success

Answer 8

my dog also has leash agression - they do it because they feel like they are cornered when on a leash and dogs don't like being cornered, I've been bringing my dog to the dog park and he has improved alot

Answer 9

try a harness that goes around the dog's body (around their legs & chest area) will help with the tugging/pulling-they can only go so far without restricting their movement.

Answer 10

There is a thing called a gentle lead they have them at petsmart. It worked on my friends dane