Why You Shouldn’t Walk Your Aggressive Dog
Yes, this is a very strong statement, but allow me to explain why you shouldn’t walk your aggressive dog in public. As a professional dog trainer, who works mostly with reactive dogs, there’s a reason for this strong position. Of course, it’s a free country and you can make your own decisions, but are your choices making things worse? If you share your home with a reactive dog that displays aggression in public, take a moment and think twice before leashing your dog up.
Do Public Walks Help Your Dog?
Think about this question from your dog’s perspective. If your dog lunges, barks, growls, shakes, refuses to walk forward and displays fearful body language, then your dog doesn’t like public walks. Most pet owners walk their fearful dogs in public, hoping their dogs will overcome their fears.
This is a tough way to change your dog’s behavior; it’s equivalent to asking a fearful person to walk along a bed of snakes, so he learns snakes are safe. When dogs are afraid of people or other dogs, yet are asked to walk amongst them, they are just as terrified. Plus, walking a fearful dog in public will only deepen a dog’s fearful behavior, so she will react aggressively more often.
Change Behavior With Minimal Distractions First
Pet owners wanting to change their dog’s fears is completely understandable, and what’s best for the dog. Start in a quiet environment with a certified positive reinforcement dog trainer, and move at your dog’s pace. Think about it this way: It’s best to teach a fearful person snakes are safe by introducing one snake at a time. Hold the snake far away, while giving the person $100 bills when he chooses to look at it without freaking out.
Pairing good things with scary things works, but must happen in a controlled environment to be effective. Once a dog learns that scary things make good things appear, she will become less fearful—however, this takes time.
Your Dog’s Aggression Causes Ripples in Public
When dogs bark and lunge at other dogs or people in public, it sends out a negative ripple effect. No one enjoys being barked at by a scared dog—not even other dogs. When this happens, dogs, puppies, people and children learn that dogs are scary and learn to avoid them. Soon, they become fearful of other dogs all because a dog behaved aggressively to them once. Yes, it can take one bad situation to scare a dog, puppy, person or child permanently.
Walking an aggressive dog in public definitely makes the situation worse for everyone, especially your fearful dog.
How can my dog get enough exercise if I don’t walk him? I live in a townhouse with no yard. He was a rescue and he is part black and tan hound and we think part Rottweiler.
If you dont exercise an aggressive dog it will get much worse. Not walking will always lead to problems.
This is a horribly unhelpful article. What is one to do to exercise a reactive dog
Sorry you feel that way about this article. If a dog dislikes other dogs, walk them at night or in locations with a minimum amount of distractions (other dogs). Daily mental enrichment is key. So many people walk their aggressive dog in public, assuming it will help the dog….. but it actually makes it much worse. If you’re scared of spiders, it’s impossible to walk among lots of spiders. Also, find a great positive reinforcement dog trainer that can help you and your dog’s aggression.
Hi. Thankful for your arrival. I’ve live in an apt complex and have for 8 yrs. No breed or weight limit always enjoyed walking my dog but have anxiety, looking both ways before going out. Another owner has 2 aggressive dogs. They walk by first floor windows and freak out on my poodles laying on top of loveseat. My dogs bark but their dogs sound vicious and keep looking back at my dogs still barking. They have grown same little. Owner went court 3 days ago for 2 counts of dogs at large and no city license .my land lady seriously does not care. A very small boy practically dragged by a pitbull with no control. I reported it to landlord she couldnt care less. I’ve seen while in my car of the dogs get off his leash and run off. Owner made no attempt to go look for him, went back inside. Its irresponsible to allow this 7 yr old to walk this or these dogs. Its is there duty to supervise a child while learning but I’m sure the dogs weigh more than him. There are ones here that have a German shepherd who will back me up, a lady with a husky, a gal who was chased by one whole walking her dogs. Animal control said they will talk to them about the 7 yr old walking these dogs. I happen to know the dad doesnt work and is available to walk them himself or at lease go with child to supervise. My dogs are 8 and 10 pounds. They are companion dogs. O take medication for anxiety and now 3 times I walk my dogs. I’ve purchased a harness becoz my little dogs love everyone and will run up to other dogs to sniff. Their dog owner told me that I a hole in a tall wooden fence close by had a hole on it and each of was the dogs nipped each other in the nose . Over seen the owner of problem dog little trying to dig under fence to other dog which he can’t even see. I carry a knife with with me now and considering buying a postal. I would take a bite over my dogs any day zone bite and that’s all it would take. I live in MO. My lease says something about about aggresive dogs but surely I would need proof. Even with other signatures. Thank you colleenpmurray56 at gmail.com