Are dogs more aggressive when on a leash?
Cheyanne Schimmel
2025-06-28 14:31:37
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: 10
Leash reactivity is when a dog exhibits fearful behaviors that may become aggressive when the dog is restrained by a leash, confined to a small space, or otherwise feels trapped. It is characterized by barking, lunging, growling, air snapping, or even biting. Leash reactivity is caused by a variety of factors, including fear, anxiety, lack of socialization, and past negative experiences. Dogs that have not been properly socialized with other dogs and humans are more likely to develop confinement/leash reactivity, as they may feel threatened, nervous, or uncomfortable when they encounter people or other dogs. This feeling increases when the stimulus or trigger moves closer into your dog’s comfort zone. The following are common behaviors indicative of leash reactivity: Barking, growling, or snarling at people or other dogs while on a leash. There is also a risk of redirection of the aggression, where the dog unpredictably turns their aggression on other animals or people, potentially causing harm.
Kamron Waters
2025-06-28 10:10:31
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: 9
Dogs that are afraid of and react to other dogs require a certain distance from another dog in order to feel safe. When a dog is on-leash what option is taken away from him, he can’t run or move away, he’s tethered to the human. The only option left to increase distance between him and the other dog is to attempt to get the other dog to move further away. Dogs that are off-leash have all kinds of options when it comes to physically relating to other dogs. However, dogs on-leash have few options. If they are fearful of other dogs, they may use aggressive behaviors in an attempt to create more distance between them and other dogs. It’s a classic offense-is-the-best defense strategy. Fearful dogs frequently use the offense-is-the-best-defense strategy when they are afraid of something, this includes getting other dogs to move further away.
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