Anxiety or frustration can cause leash aggression for dogs
During on-leash walks, this miniature Australian Shepherd barks furiously if he sees another dog.
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My daughter and daughter-in-law have a miniature Australian Shepherd. They are struggling with one area. During on-leash walks, the dog barks furiously if he sees another dog. They have tried distracting him, but it is not working. He is scheduled for neutering. Do you think this will help his behaviour? If not, then what will?
Many dogs struggle when walked on a leash. Dogs that play well with others at the dog park turn into Cujo while walking down the street. This problem is called leash aggression.
Neutering can have beneficial effects on some behaviour problems, especially if those problems relate to sexual behaviours. For example, neutering will stop dogs from wandering in search of a mate. However, it will not stop wandering that is the result of boredom.
Since leash aggression rarely pertains to finding a mate, the likelihood that neutering will cure the problem is slim. Treatment instead involves training and rehabilitation exercises. Sometimes it may also require medical intervention. Dogs with neck and back problems often react badly when leashes pull on their painful bodies.
Once medical conditions are ruled out, owners need to determine if the dog is reacting out of anxiety or frustration. This is critical. Experienced, professional help ensures you make the right call.
Frustrated pets are simply worked into a frenzy. Their desire to rush in and play is thwarted by the leash. That frustration triggers a blustering response that can look downright aggressive. Owners often claim these pets are perfect when interacting with other dogs off leash. Frustrated animals are happy when they get closer to other animals. Moving closer to other dogs is a reward.
Blustering, frustrated greeters need to learn leash skills and manners. Rather than charging up to potential playmates, they should learn to walk nicely on a leash, patiently waiting for permission to go play. Treats and other rewards are an excellent way of teaching these expectations. With time, the dog learns it may be allowed to go play, if it behaves.
On the other hand, anxious dogs need confidence building. They need to slowly overcome their fear. Scared dogs want nothing more than to get away. When trapped with a leash, they resort to lunging and barking as a means of driving the other animal away.
The rewards for these dogs are opposite. Frequent breaks away from the other dog are rewarding. Anxious dogs need to learn to trust that they are safe and do not need to scare other animals away. Divide training sessions into small segments. Give plenty of breaks while the dog is still doing well. These dogs need time to recharge and gain confidence.
My dog is licking at the floors and walls. I try to make her stop, but after a few minutes, she is at it again. How do I make her stop?
Typically, trainers would put these dogs on a stress reduction program. While this may sometimes work, research published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior indicates that excessive licking may be a medical problem.
Veronique Becuwe-Bonnet and her team compared 19 dogs with excessive licking to 10 dogs in a control group. Dogs in the study underwent medical examinations.
Out of the dogs sampled, 14 of the 19 dogs had gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel and pancreatitis. Medical treatment cured more than half of the dogs of excessive licking.
While all dogs lick from time to time, excessive licking is one problem that requires a thorough medical evaluation. Sometimes, dogs behave oddly because they just do not feel well.
Yvette Van Veen is an animal behaviour consultant. Write her at email@example.com
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