Why Leash Reactivity Isn’t a Sign of a “Bad” Dog – And How Positive Training Can Help

Does your pet lunge, bark or growl at other dogs when on a leash? Or does he strain to get closer to people on the street?

If so, your dog is what trainers call “leash reactive.” While leash reactivity is a common problem, it can be embarrassing and makes walking a stressful experience.

The frustrating thing is that many dogs only behave like this when they are on a leash. This can cause owners to think their pet is misbehaving or being “bad.” The natural reaction is to scold or punish a dog for this behaviour (often to cover our own embarrassment).

Unfortunately, scolding is possibly the worst thing you can do when your dog is reacting. Here’s a quick overview of why leash reactivity happens and what you can do about it.

Leashes Force Dogs Into Unnatural Greeting Positions

If you watch two relaxed dogs meet, they nearly always take a curved approach. This allows the dogs to sniff each other’s genitals without approaching head-on.

The reason dogs do this is that a head-on approach is considered confrontational. Dogs rarely stare into another’s eyes unless they are about to fight.

As you’ve probably guessed, a major problem with leashes is that dogs are forced to approach each other directly. The dogs usually don’t want to fight, so they lunge or growl in an attempt to prevent the confrontation before it begins.

So, keep in mind that when your dog is growling on a leash he probably isn’t trying to start a fight but prevent one.

Dogs Feel Trapped on a Leash

When dogs are anxious, their natural inclination is to increase the distance between themselves and the trigger. This isn’t possible when on a leash – especially if the dog is forced to greet another pet.

Once again, the natural reaction – put the dog on a short leash in-case it starts to fight – doesn’t help. The tighter the leash, the more the dog feels constrained. If it continues to feel anxious and trapped, it may decide that fighting is the only option.

This is why you’ll often get a short moment of calm when two dogs are forced to meet on a leash, followed by an outburst of barking, growling and lunging.

Punishment Just Increases Anxiety

I mentioned earlier that punishment or scolding is never a good idea – but why isn’t it helpful in this situation?

Any form of punishment increases anxiety in a dog. If you punish or scold after an anxious situation, such as being forced into a confrontational meeting, this reinforces the situation was scary. Not only does your pet need to worry about meeting other dogs, he now also needs to be wary of you.

The result is that your dog is even more likely to react the next time he sees a dog. He may also behave more aggressively in an attempt to prevent the situation from developing.

Quick Tips for Preventing Leash Reactivity

In the short term, the primary goal is to keep your dog and others safe. Reactive dogs should always wear a high-quality and durable harness on walks (such as the ones on this page), as collars cause immense stress on the trachea when lunging or pulling. If your dog has attempted to bite another dog, you may also need to use a basket muzzle.

The key to preventing leash reactivity is to teach your dog that the trigger (usually another dog) isn’t something to be scared about. You need to create a positive association that replaces the anxiety he currently feels.

This takes time and patience, but is worth the effort. Here’s an overview of the process:

• Start by taking your dog to an open park where you won’t be surprised by another dog. When your pet sees a dog in the distance, give praise and a treat, before turning and walking away.
• As your dog becomes more comfortable, progress to giving a treat when he looks at you after noticing a dog. When you first start, you’ll probably need to say his name, but over time the goal is that he looks at you as a reaction to seeing another dog.
• Once your pet doesn’t show signs of anxiety, gradually reduce the distance while repeating the training. The goal is to make every sighting of another dog into a positive experience.

The most important part of this process is to avoid situations where your dog reacts or shows signs of anxiety. If this happens, you’ve got too close before your pet is ready.

You also need to be firm (but polite) with other dog owners. During the training period, try to prevent other dogs from greeting him – even if that means saying “no” to another owner. If you come across a dog in a tight space, such as a woodland path, avoid walking head-on and even turn around if there is no other option.

Summary

Leash reactivity can be an embarrassing problem – but it’s relatively easy to solve. The first step is to understand why your dog is reacting and to realise it’s not because he’s misbehaving. Instead, he’s feeling intense anxiety due to the unnatural situation.

Once you understand why dogs react, the next step is to replace anxiety with a positive association. This isn’t an instant process, but can make a permanent change to your dog’s behaviour.

The post Why Leash Reactivity Isn’t a Sign of a “Bad” Dog – And How Positive Training Can Help appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://www.valheart.com/why-leash-reactivity-isnt-a-sign-of-a-bad-dog-and-how-positive-training-can-help/

Understanding the Difference Between Emotional Support and Service Dogs

Throughout history,  dogs have been put to work next to their two-legged companions.  They have helped hunt for food, herd livestock, and guard homes.  Today the term, “working dog,” is often associated with service or emotional support dogs. 

Man’s best friend is more commonly being utilized to help people with various physical or mental illnesses or disabilities.  These dog’s help with tasks that are routine for most, but can be daunting for their handlers.

Despite the rising popularity of service and emotional support dogs, many are confused on what separates the two.

 

Emotional Support Dogs

Use
Emotional support dogs are typically used by those with a mental illness or disability.  These dogs provide comfort and relief for those with mood, anxiety, fear and panic disorders simply through their companionship.  They are not trained to perform a specific task related to the handler’s illness or disability.

How to Qualify for an Emotional Support Dog
Too many are under the impression that you can buy an emotional support dog recommendation online and that it will allow you to register your family pet as a support animal.  These options do exist, however, handlers must have a recommendation from a licensed medical professional to obtain an emotional support dog letter. This is the only documentation that is required for an emotional support animal.

How Can a Dog Become an Emotional Support Animal
Because specific tasks are not done for the handler by the dog, no specific training is required.  You can even register your family dog or adopt one from a shelter.  However, the dog is expected to have manners in public spaces.  Anytime a dog appears to be out of the handler’s control or aggressive in any way, they may be asked to leave.

Legal Protections
Emotional support dogs are allowed in public spaces as long as they are behaving well and are not a threat to health and safety guidelines.

Also, with a legitimate Emotional Support Dog Letter, dogs are able to fly with most airlines.  There are some restrictions to this based on the airline, so it is advised to do some research before booking the flight.

According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Emotional Support Dogs cannot be turned away when looking for housing despite a “no pets” rule.  Landlords may verify the emotional support dog letter but they may not charge extra fees or deposits for an emotional support dog.

 

Service Dogs

Use
Service Dogs are trained to perform specific tasks tailored to their handler’s needs.  These can include but are not limited to, guiding the blind, alerting for low blood pressure or seizures, retrieving/carrying items, or reminding someone to take their medication.

How to Qualify for a Service Dog
In order for an individual to obtain a service dog, they must have a condition that qualifies as a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).  This disability must hinder the individual in life tasks and impair quality of life.

There are many different service dog programs and organizations that pair individuals with the perfect dogs based on their specific needs.  Once the individual finds the program they feel suits them, they will fill out an application and wait to be contacted by their chosen organization.

How Can a Dog Become a Service Animal?
Dogs are selected based on temperament and health.  Any breed can technically qualify, as long as it meets the standards for training and behavior as set by the owner or the organization.  An ideal service dog will be calm and focused on its handler in all situations.  Many organizations choose dogs as puppies and place them in rigorous training programs, others utilize dogs from shelters if they fit the behavior requirements.  For those interested, Buzzfeed created a series called “Puppy Prep” on YouTube that chronicles the training and development of service dogs from an organization called Doggie Do Good in Arroyo Grande, CA.

Legal Protections
Unlike Emotional Support Dogs, Service Dogs are protected by the ADA.  These dogs do not require documentation or vests to enter most public spaces.

Documentation may be required for the dog to accompany their handler to work and will be necessary for the dog to fly or live in “no pets” housing.  However, the ADA website specifically states that registrations bought online will not be considered legitimate proof that the dog is a Service Animal.

It is imperative to understand the fundamental differences between Emotional Support and Service Dogs.  Basic knowledge of laws and procedures, not only keeps businesses operating within legal guidelines but also ensures that those who truly rely on their dog for daily activities are treated with the same amount of dignity and respect as everyone else.

Guest Post by:
Lindsey Jay
www.lindseyjay.com

Photo by Marcus Christensen on Pexel

The post Understanding the Difference Between Emotional Support and Service Dogs appeared first on Val Heart.

source https://www.valheart.com/understanding-the-difference-between-emotional-support-and-service-dogs/