Leash Aggression At Times

[Melissa]

Chloe is 2 1/2 years old and she has leash aggression. When we walk by another dog, doesn't matter what size the dog is, she tends to bark and lunge at the dog. If she is off leash she doesn't do it at all.  I make her sit down when I see someone coming towards us (when she is on leash) and try to keep her calm as they pass, but this doesn't always help.  Anyone else have this issue? Any suggestions on how to change this?  I'd love to be able to walk past people with dogs and have no issues. She looks like she is a mean dog when she does this but in fact she is a big sweetheart. 

[Shawn,Dana, Guinness and Barney]

Good Morning Melissa.
I had the same issue. Here is the process I used.
1) Well done. Having her sit while they pass by.
2) the fact that Chloe is barking and lunging doesn't mean she is upset. What she is showing is dominance.
3) remember when a mother disciplines her pup she will give a firm nose bump and a bark or low growl to let them know she is in charge and not the pup.
4) I imitate this by taking my hand with fingers together, give my boys a sudden bump on the shoulder and a firm but quiet "no" it may have to be done more than once at first. She will get the message, she a doodle after all.

Try this I have raised dogs my whole life including many years of dog rescue and have yet to see this behaviour be uncorrectable.
If it continues I can also send you a short video on how to "roll and restrain" your pup with no harm to them at all.

Remember discipline should always be firm, defined and carried out with a peaceful attitude.

Hope this helps.

[Shawn,Dana, Guinness and Barney]

This is a photo of the hand position used. Using this technique allows for a firm but harmless bump to break the dominance cycle at that moment and gain their attention.

[Melissa]

Thank you for the tips!  I am a big fan of Cesar Millan and try to implement his teachings...so the 'touch' you are explaining is what I have been doing, but it doesn't always seem to work.  Chloe has done 2 obedience classes and did very well in them. She had no issues with the dogs in the class, but she did seem to get bored by the last 10 minutes of the hour long classes.   I've never had to use the 'roll and restrain" on her, but did have to do so with my Black Lab....that technique helped him to not lunge as often (now and again he will try to do so, but very rare)

[Shawn,Dana, Guinness and Barney]

I find combining the "touch method" and the "roll and restrain" will work. With my older dog Guinness we only had to do the "touch" however with Sprocket we had to use both maybe a half a dozen times. Try not to use in a pattern as Chloe will pick up on it very quickly. IE if she resists discipline with touch 3 times, you then use the roll and restrain. Surprise can be a great tool.

One other quick note. While using treats to train is a great tool, (good advice Karen). It isn't always the best for dominance issue's as it can be a reinforcement of the negative attitude that leads to getting a treat. This can happen so subtlety that it i becomes an issue before we realize it. Always good for the basics, sit, stay, down etc.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

The treats are only given if the dog ignores the other dog and does not display any dominance, aggression, reactiveness, etc. so it doesn't reinforce a negative attitude at all, it reinforces good behavior, and focusing on the owner. 

On-leash reactiveness is rarely a dominance issue. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Many schools of thought on "disciplining" dogs for these types of behaviors. Here's one worth considering: https://muttabouttown.com/2013/08/18/leash-reactivity-its-trainable/

[Melissa]

Thank you for this link. This was a good read and I will try to implement these techniques.  I've tried in the past to make her focus on me, but didn't have the greatest luck.  I need to find the high value reward that she will actually like. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Also, regarding "roll and restrain":

http://respectyourdog.com/read/what-alpha-rolling-is-really-doing-t...

https://drsophiayin.com/blog/entry/new_study_finds_popular_alpha_do...

[Melissa]

I like Cesar Millan and do not think his methods are cruel.  He has proven time and time again that he can rehabilitate "red zone" dogs with his calm and assertive techniques. But I don't believe that all the techniques can be applied to all dogs....it is a case by case situation.  I will not use the 'roll and restrain' on my doodle as she is a sensitive dog and just talking to her sternly when she misbehaves is enough to make her realize she was acting incorrectly.  My black lab on the other hand, nothing other than pinning him down (gently) would work.  He now barely ever reacts on leash. 

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

It's pretty common, and it takes a lot of training to overcome this, but it can be done. You need to ramp up your obedience training in general, with the primary goal of keeping her focused on you at all times. If she's looking at you, she can't be barking and lunging at other dogs. I'd use high value treats (lamb lung, liver) that she only ever gets on leash walks IF she remains calm and focused on you when another dog is around. A good basic obedience class will help, and lots and lots of practice. When you have her out on leash, you need to be scanning the horizon so that you see any approaching dogs before she does, and get her attention focused on you. Once they're in that reactive state, you've lost them; they can't really see or hear anything other than the other dog. If necessary, turn around and walk the other way.

I'd suggest posting this in the Training Group. Lots of people there who are experienced with leash reactivity and will be able to give you better and more specific advice than I can. The Training Group administrator Jane is probably more experienced with handling this than anyone else here on DK, and I know she'd be glad to help. 

[Melissa]

Hi Karen. Thank you for the advise.  Chloe and I have been through 2 rounds of obedience training and she was a straight A student both times. I continue to practice what we learned in the classes and the only thing I have issues with is the leash aggression and at times not coming when called (only from our back yard).  I haven't tried the high value treats as our obedience trainer frowned upon it....she was more of the type to give love to the dog when they did what they were told: petting, say good girl in a high happy voice, throwing their favourite toy for them etc.   I think I will give it a try though.   I will also post to the training group as you suggested. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

This seems to be quite common.  One of the dogs I fostered had pretty serious leash aggression. Her new owners have worked diligently with her and a trainer and they recently told me that her leash reactivity only seldom occurs nowadays.  Our new guy, Charlie, gets overly excited when he sees new dogs - mostly when on-leash.  We use a bark collar on him - the lazy man's cure I guess, but it allows him to curb his over enthusiasm and enjoy his walks.