Reactive Dogs – Leash Aggression
Sometimes the dog trots past, seems to tip his hat to the encounter and strolls on with his nose to the ground. Other times, the politeness is gone, threatening barks and lunges are directed at the conspecific on the other side of the road. Petli sorts out the Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde tendencies and gives you the solutions.
Why dogs become aggressive at dog meetings
As usual, there can be multiple causes, as each dog individual acts differently due to personal motivations. To solve issues of leash reactivity towards dogs, humans, or other animals, it's important to understand the purpose behind your dog's reactions. Regardless of the cause, they all share a common denominator: the message "Stay away, don't come closer, increase the distance!" Nothing signals this more clearly than an broadened chest, stiff front legs, spread hind legs, raised hackles (the fur along the neck), growling, wrinkled nose, and irritated barks. The purpose is to scare away the encounter and create distance.
Dealing with encounters with threatening dogs
If the approaching dog acts aggressively (an intense gaze can be enouogh), it can trigger anger in a normally friendly dog. It may not initially be your dog's "fault"; she/he may be significantly challenged from a distance. An upright tail, intense eye contact, and a direct approach are signals of confrontation, which can lead to conflicts.
Scents and their impact on dog behavior
The scent can be a highly influencing factor. Dogs can detect scents from afar, signaling other dogs mood, emotions, and intentions through scent. Your dog may appear unprovoked, but not from a scent perspective...
Dogs' reactions to females and males
It can be a matter of gender. Dogs can detect scents that reveal whether they are encountering a female or male from several hundred meters away. Some sexually mature males have difficulty with other males but become ecstatic when a female approaches. Some females cannot tolerate flirtatious male dogs but may dislike other females that could compete for mating.
The dog's past experiences and their impact
Past experiences can also be the cause of these outbursts. If your dog has been badly attacked by a medium-sized, curly, brown dog, similar dogs can trigger anxiety. Your dog may have been traumatized and developed PTSD. Over- or understimulation and general stress (caused by living conditions, unattainable demands from the leash holder, hormones, illness, pain, PTSD) result in an overexcited dog that "overreacts." There are physiological explanations for this, as noradrenaline, adrenalin, and cortisol levels are elevated in dogs experiencing prolonged stress. The smallest thing can create chaos for these dogs on edge. It's worth noting that dogs can also exhibit passive, inward behavior to manage their stress. The symptoms may be mild, barely noticeable, but the dog is still strongly affected by stress.
Effective strategies for aggressive behavior
It can be challenging to know how to act as a dog parent. Lets take a close look at some sollutions based on underlying cause. As always, actions vary depending on the cause.
When pain or illness affects behavior
An reactive dog in pain is more prone to biting than another dog. It is a serious symptom that should be taken into consideration, both in terms of responsibility towards your dog and the surrounding environment. It is important that your dog receives proper veterinary care and a diagnosis and prognosis. Can the condition be treated? Will your dog need to live with discomfort/pain? You need the prognosis to make an ethical decision regarding what is fair to your dog.
Calming your dog in threatening encounters
It is always important not to get angry, as it will only escalate the situation. Understanding the perceived threat is better. Stay calm and show through your actions that you are the one protecting your pack when you are out for a walk. Consistently say, "I've got this," and then position yourself between your dog and the encounter, becoming the protective barrier. Do not pull hard on the leash, as it will further incite the dog. Instead, make a U-turn in front of your dog's nose, simultaneously reward them with treats/toys that you throw away from the triggering encounter. This way, your dog learns that if she/he doesn't become reactive and stay calm while looking away, you will help by moving away from the situation that worries. This type of training has helped many anxious souls whose aggressive outbursts stem from fear.
Hormones and their impact on dog behavior
Aggression towards dogs of the same sex is not necessarily hormone-related. It can be about associations with specific genders or a natural response from a sexually mature dog. However, it can also be a hormonal imbalance. Castration is not a universal solution, but reducing the amount of circulating hormones can help calm the dog. Whether the path to achieve this is through balancing herbs, chemical castration, or a surgical procedure is up to each individual. Note! Do not castrate a dog that exhibits aggression unless you are completely sure that hormones are the cause! The problem can become significantly worse if your dog is fearful and you reduce the testosterone levels that affect courage. Hormone-affecting measures should always be combined with training. Counterconditioning can be very helpful. The method involves teaching the dog to associate encounters with something enjoyable, such as tasty treats. Reward the dog by your side so that she/he stays close to you, away from the encounter. Repeat until your dog has a positive and high expectation of reward when near you as soon as she/he see an approaching dog. The long-term effect will be a dog that looks at the encounter, turns around, and glances back at you, allowing you to guide her/him past the situation. The training should begin at a distance from a training partner where you can create controlled training encounters.
Identifying and eliminating causes of stress
If the problem with dog encounters is stress-related, you need to address the underlying causes of stress. For some dogs tactile stress-relieving massage and stress-balancing supplements aren't enough. If the dog is an unemployed working dog, a notorious leash puller, or a dog that attends a daycare with many wound-up dogs, massaging will not provide long-term help. The overall stresslevel must first be reduced. It is challenging to achieve results from training when the dog is highly aroused. Often, we end up with dogs that become unresponsive and do not take rewards, even at long distances from the encounter. The problem is stress. Only when the stressor is eliminated can the above tips regarding protection and desensitization training have an effect.
Professional help for traumatized dogs
If your dog has experienced something traumatic, you should not try the above techniques or listen to tips and advice from unqualified people. You should contact a qualified dog psychologist with training in PTSD and trauma processing in dogs. Only then can you be sure that your dog receives a correct diagnosis and treatment plan. In these cases, it is not a matter training but rather rehabilitation. Read the article PTSD in dogs.
BAT training for fearful and anxious dogs
Some dogs prefer so-called BAT training (Behavior Adjustment Training). It involves ensuring that you maintain a sufficient distance from the trigger so that your dog can remain calm and relaxed. Then, you reward them by moving even further away from what is frightening/triggers them. The dog learns that if she/he remain calm, you will help her/him move away from the situation that worries. This type of training has helped many anxious individuals whose reactivity stem from fear.
Dog aggression and pain
Pain and illness can cause behavioral symptoms where the dog's mood and patience vary from day to day. A dog with aching pain that worsens with exertion is usually worse after more exercise or in the afternoon/evening when the day's activities have taken their toll. If your dog's anger suddenly arises without an apparent cause, contact a veterinarian for a medical examination. After that, schedule an appointment with a well-educated behavioural consultant for individualized help. Read the article "Pain and Behavior" for further information.
Please read the article Pain and behavior For more information on other coping methods, please also visit Resource defense in dogs - understanding their zones and boundaries and The power of protection: how to best support a scared or angry dog. If your dog has experienced trauma, you may find it useful to read Traumatized dogs: the science of PTSD in dogs and How to deal with your frightened dog - thoughts on bribing, encouraging or supporting.
Written by: Caroline Alupo
Caroline Alupo is Petli's co-founder. She has a master's degree in ethology and is also a trained dog trainer and dog psychologist. She has 19 years of experience as a professional dog trainer. Read more about Caroline here.
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