Leash Management and Reactivity

Walks can be very frustrating when our dogs pull us the whole way or lunge and bark at every other dog they see. It is important to remember that wearing a leash and being tethered to a human is not natural for dogs. Furthermore, when they feel pressure on their collar or harness, many dogs tend to "lean in" and strain forward, which perpetuates the undesired behavior. It is helpful to understand that the reason our dogs pull is likely that they want to get where they are going; they want to engage with the environment; they may even see us, as humans, as slowing them down. They may be reactive on the leash because their "fight or flight" instincts are confined; their only option is to stand their ground and seem bigger and tougher than they actually are. Whether this is due to fear or aggression, we will work with you to raise your dog's tolerance level to triggers in his environment and increase his ability to follow your lead in the face of distractions. Loose leash walking and navigating leash reactivity are complex skills, requiring patience and persistence. We work to give you the skills and best practices necessary for you and your dog to have more enjoyable walks together.