How to fix leash aggression?

The management and treatment of leash reactivity entails behavior therapy and requires patience, consistency, and the assistance of a professional dog trainer or board-certified veterinary behaviorist. It consists of: Training and socialization. Proper training and socialization are crucial in the management of this condition. Having basic commands and communication with your dog will help when they become stressed or anxious while walking. Counterconditioning involves altering and managing the emotional response to a trigger/stimuli, such as another dog or a person, by associating the trigger with something positive, such as treats or playtime. Desensitization involves gradually exposing your dog to a trigger while they are calm and relaxed in a controlled, safe, and stress-free environment to reduce their fear and anxiety response. Avoid punishment, yelling, yanking, choking, or other forms of aversion, as this can increase fear and anxiety, which can make the behaviors worse over time. With patience, consistency, and love, leash reactivity can be managed, and you can begin to enjoy the true pleasure of walking with your pup.

They don’t approach head-on and make hard eye contact unless a fight is about to start. 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. 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. 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.