Is It Barking and Lunging at Other Dogs or Other Moving Targets?
Barking can be a disruption all its own, but is it also joined with lunging, pulling against the leash and struggling to be free? What are the targets for this aggression? Are they other dogs, or people, or moving objects like a skateboard or a bicycle? Just why your dog is engaging in this behavior is a great question, but you must realize that the act of lunging is so biologically burdensome on their system, there must be some use. They must feel some sort of threat. One of the best ways to curb these actions is to ensure your dog always feels safe and secure.
If your dog is generally nervous or insecure around another dog, they may bark and lunge in an attempt to ‘scare’ them away. While the owner of the other dog may simply be continuing his walk, your dog thinks that they continued walking away because they were so scared. In this way, your pup has protected you and should be treated to a scrumptious morsel.
Is There Any Equipment That Will Help?
If your dog’s comfort is a big factor for you, look into investing in a harness that clips in the front rather than the back. This will not only give you more control when they start to lunge at other dogs, but will offer more comfort to your dog. Unlike collars that have a different opening mechanism, front clasping harnesses do not dig into their flesh as much. Keep treats on your person on every excursion out, they can be used to reinforce the good behavior.
Try This Exercise
While there are many things that you can do with your pooch to curb the issue of them barking at other dogs, this is likely the best. It is versatile, and takes only a few minutes. This is a perfect exercise to incorporate into your daily activity time. You will need about 50 coin-sized treats for your dog, meat or cheese flavored snacks that are good enough for a human. The quality of these treats is important to how well your dog will be trained.
Basically, while you are on your walk, whenever you are out of eye shot of another dog, each time your dog looks at you, you will reward them. Use either a verbal exclamation or clicker as well as a treat to reinforce this good behavior well. Over time, you will notice that your dog is checking with you before barking at another. This is exactly what you want them to do. You may not start to see reliable results for a few months, but this is always a useful skill for your dog to learn.
Ease Your Dog’s Comfort Level
If your dog is barking raucously from a ‘safe’ enclosure like behind a fence, or on the end of a leash, he might be going through ‘barrier frustration’. You may be hesitant to bring them up close and personal with the animal against which they are antagonistic, but if you keep them on a leash and far enough away from the target so as not to pose any threat, then give a treat when they behave admirably, you will see how quickly this distressing behavior will cease.
If your pooch is lunging and barking at other dogs, other people or even modes of transportation, there are several reasons why they could be doing this, and several things that you can do to rid them of these defects. First things first, you want to ensure that your dog knows there is no one else before them in your affection. Given time and care, barking and lunging will be a thing of the past.
