Why does my dog listen better off leash than on leash?
Jordon Kohler
2025-07-04 15:21:17
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: 17
When I can let him off leash in a dog park or backyard he follows me around, always comes when I call, plays with neighbors dog instead of getting defensive and barking. When he is on leash he is pulling all the time, wants to go in any opposite direction to where we are meant to be going and barks at other dogs. I’m conflicted of training him to heel because I like that he wants to explore and sniff things on our walks using his own will and not just walk boringly beside me but it would be nice to not get pulled.
Kieran Nikolaus
2025-06-20 23:38:01
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: 11
When dogs are off-leash, they can control the distance between themselves and people or dogs. The less motivated they are to become reactive. The larger the space, the more control they have and the more likely they will do other things besides becoming reactive to create that space. When dogs are on a leash, the opportunity to move away and create space is completely out of their control. We miss their subtle cues and continue moving closer to what they may view as a potential threat—the motivation to become reactive increases dramatically. Dogs then begin barking or lunging, and we quickly notice, and the space is then created. Dogs are reactive to distance themselves from unfamiliar people or dogs. In most cases, the reactivity works, and the behavior is paid when the unfamiliar person or dog moves away.
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