Leash Reactivity: Helping Both Ends of the Leash

If everyone took their dog out only once a day they would probably go on more than 3,000 walks during their dog’s lifetime.

For most dog owners going for a walk with their dog is something they take for granted. Sometimes in cold or wet weather it can be a chore but for the most part it’s an enjoyable shared experience and a great way of bonding. It is a huge part of life with your dog.

But for owners of leash reactive dogs that 3,000 number is more likely to cause depression and despair. Walks with reactive dogs are stressful, embarrassing, emotionally draining. You don’t get to enjoy those warm sunny strolls through your neighbourhood and your local parks.

If you live in an urban area going out your front door with a reactive dog can be a bit like heading out into a war zone. The instant you hit the sidewalk you and your dog are both scanning the environment. And you do so for the entire walk. You can’t daydream, look at your phone or stop to enjoy the view because you need to be ready for oncoming dogs.

You walk your dogs in the rain and cold when most owners stay home. You walk them at night after dark and before dawn in the morning. And sometimes you don’t walk them at all.

Then there is that feeling of complete panic when you look up and see a dog coming towards you. It doesn’t matter whether it’s on leash or off. You look frantically around for a direction in which to escape or a place in which to hide. If you are lucky your dog hasn’t noticed the other dog but chances are they have and are barking and lunging at the end of the leash.

Over time reactive dogs develop more of a negative emotional response to seeing other dogs on walks. Owners develop a negative emotional response to going on walks at all. I have had clients in tears as they tell me they simply can’t face taking their dogs out anymore.

Many emotions come in to play when you have a reactive dog. Guilt as you admit to yourself, “I feel so guilty because I just don’t want to take him out anymore.” You can feel resentful towards your dog because they embarrass you on walks or because you aren’t able to go on walks at all. And you can be sad over the loss of the life that you expected to have with your dog.

I’ve learned that I need to provide empathy and support at both ends of the leash. If I can’t help the human I can’t help the dog.

I need to support both owners and dogs as they build skills and confidence while experiencing fun and success as a team. I need to give them back that hope of a happy life together.

Because every dog and owner should be able to enjoy those 3,000 walks.