04/13/2019
We kept you posted with a few one ‘human operation’ videos about Bo’s progress with his leash reactivity issues but we never had a chance to have someone to record it for us.
These 2 kind men and their dogs were willing to help us a couple of days ago passing by our property, so we could show everyone clearly the progress Bo has made with his leash walking manners.
Many times, when a dog sees another dog on the leash, what looks like an aggression is nothing more/nothing less but frustration of the dog not being able to get to the other dog.
Dogs can escalate and work themselves up into a frenzied mind set when not being able to get to another dog or not being able to remove themselves from the site if they are uncomfortable with the meeting and if they do not wish to interact.
They are stuck to a human by the leash.
If human lacks the insight into what is happening to his dog and why, and if the human on top of that lacks in the ways of clear communication with his/her dog, the dog becomes not only stuck on the leash but also in the behavior.
More s/he gets to practice this kind of behavior, more it becomes like a drug to the dog. The rush, the adrenaline.
Each time they see another dog, they want their beer!
This by no means is an attempt to indicate that we should let the dogs actually meet on the leash to resolve the conflict! On the contrary!
WE ARE STRONG ADVOCATES AND TRY TO EDUCATE THE OWNERS WHY ON LEASH MEETINGS ARE DANGEROUS AND CAN VERY QUICKLY ESCALATE INTO YOUR DOG LOOSING ALL TRUST IN YOU as his/her leader and protector.
There is time and space to meet and interact with other dogs if so wished, but it is NOT on the leash.
Many on leash dog meetings end up in fights, leaving the owners confused and guessing why did their friendly dog attacked another dog, many times the same one that their dog showed a friendly interest in before.
There are many reasons why the on leash meetings are a very bad idea.
While on the leash, it is supposed to be just about you and your dog.
• It is about you paying attention, while enjoying your walk, if your dog needs some of your guidance to help him focus on your ‘togetherness ‘.
• It is about your dog accepting your guidance and paying attention to you, rather then what is happening around him, god forbid reacting to it.
Your duty as his owner and leader is to keep every dog away from him, while on the leash.
His job is to pay attention to you.
It all boils down to a CLEAR COMMUNICATION and TRUST.
“Do not worry, my dog, you just do ‘this’ and I have your back.”
Always.
