It can be embarrassing and stressful if your four-legged friend lunges, pulls toward, or barks at other dogs while on-leash. 

Here are some behaviors to watch out for:

1. When off-leash and in their own environment, dogs naturally greet from the side (in an arc) and sniff each other’s genital area. They don’t approach head-on and make hard eye contact unless a fight is about to start. Greetings typically last only a few seconds.

2. When our dogs meet on leash, they are typically forced to approach head-on and are often unable to turn their bodies. Their forced body language, and our own, tell our dogs that we want to fight with one another. Most dogs don’t want to fight, so they display a number of behaviors designed to prevent it. These distance-increasing behaviors includes barking, lunging, or growling — anything to make the threat go away.

3. If the dog owners decide to visit, or let the dogs say hi, the problems may get worse. On-leash, both dogs feel trapped, unable to get away from each other. Often, owners have their dogs on tight leashes, thinking this will help if anything happens. Unfortunately, a tight leash tells your dog you're stressed, making your pup more stressed in return. As a result, both dogs may start barking, switching from their flight instinct, to fight.

4. Many owners don’t recognize rude behavior in their dogs, thinking they’re just overly friendly. They may let their dog charge up to another one, get in their face, or jump on them. This is extremely rude behavior among dogs and is sometimes the result of a lack of socialization past the puppy stage.

Adult dogs, while patient with puppy antics, will usually start to discipline puppies once they reach 5-6 months. The discipline isn’t violent and usually takes the form of a bark or growl. If a puppy never experiences these corrections, he may continue this inappropriate behavior in adulthood. When an adult dog inappropriately greets another one, the other dog will react with a loud bark or growl. It can be embarrassing and you may assume that the reaction means your canine companion is aggressive, while the dog’s inappropriate behavior was the issue in the first place.

5. Many people correct their dog for any perceived display of aggression. Some may force them to sit or lie down in an approaching dog’s path thinking this will help correct the behavior. ​​​​​

Here are some steps to help your dog feel better on-leash:

1. Manage your dog’s environment for everyone’s safety. Keep them at a comfortable distance from other dogs. Don’t allow other dogs to greet, or let them invade your dog’s space. Every negative experience will set your progress back, so it’s best to avoid them if possible. If you live in an area with lots of dogs, consider taking your friend somewhere less canines are present.
2. Learn dog body language. One of the best things you can do for your dog is to understand how they communicate. There are often signs dogs show us they are uncomfortable before they get to the point of barking and growling. Being able to recognize these signs can be a game changer while working through their reactivity, and helps you become a better advocate for your dog throughout their life. 
3. Avoid approaching other dogs head-on. In the dog world, approaching head-on is a sign of conflict, so if you find yourself in this situation, you can duck behind a car or tree while they pass, or turn down another street. The goal is to set your dog up for success by keeping them out of situations that may trigger a reaction. 
4. Don't wait for your dog to react. When you see another dog, wait until your dog notices them. When they do, immediately give them a treat. This will teach your dog to associate the presence of others with something wonderful. With enough repetition, you will notice your dog looking at you for a treat as soon as they notice another dog.
5. Don't rush your dog. If they bark or lunge at the dog, you went too close, too fast. Or you just didn’t realize a dog was nearby. Simply add more distance and repeat. Don’t punish your dog for barking or you’ll undo the work you’ve done.
6. Consider a basket muzzle for walks. If your dog has harmed another person or dog, we recommend using a basket muzzle for walks. This will keep everyone safe while you're working on this behavior. 
7. Seek professional assistance. Working on reactivity is complicated and can be dangerous if you aren't a qualified professional. Get started today by signing up for our Reactive Dog Seminar.