Skip to content

leash reactivity vs aggression

Basenji Training
  • Re: Leash aggression/pulling with other dogs
    I found that getting aa FRONT clip harness, that the leash clips at the breast bone works extremely well for leash reactivity. Many dogs have leash reactivity and not actual aggression to other dogs. The difference is, when dogs meet head to head at the end of leashes a buch of physiological things are happening that signal the dog to pull and bark. After awhile this becomes a habit. A snug fitting front clip harness ( take it off at home) will cause the dog to turn and look at the leash handler in stead of the physiological response of pulling that happens with a collar or back clip harness. You may still have some work to do with the dog it the pulling and bark or snapping has gone on for awhile. A great resource for this is the book "Ckick to Calm" Not every one loves clicker training and you can use a verbal marker instead of a clicker. The book has an excellent protocol for this issue . I am not affiliated with the author or Karen Pryor.

  • Sounds good in theory, doesn't seem to work that well for the people using that type of harness in my area. The best tool I've seen is a modification of the gentle leader, one version of which is called the "Perfect Pace", which seems to do the trick for dogs that pull and lunge on leash without risking damage to their necks, since it doesn't turn their head. If you want the dog to look at you instead of the other dog, that behaviour is easily taught and put on cue with clicker training.....

  • @arbust91 said in leash reactivity vs aggression:

    Ckick to Calm"

    Click to Calm is by Karen Pryor. I admire her work, but I don't agree with this one. Dogs are leash aggressive or leash reactive for many reasons. I'd rather go back to step one, teaching loose leash walking, "look at me" , down stays and other commands and training that get the dog to do what you want through positive training. Having a dog pulled around can create MORE reactivity.

    http://www.clickerlessons.com/

  • I would never use a harness...and I do not recommend its use for any pups that I place, especially on a young dog of any breed... it restricts their movement and can lead (IMO) to problems later on as they need to adjust their strides to compensate for restrictive front end movement... Especially for any dog that might be a show dog and a pet... (as my are).... Try a head harness that works like with horses...

Suggested Topics

  • Do you have walking on leash tips?

    Basenji Training
    3
    0 Votes
    3 Posts
    3k Views
    DebraDownSouthD
    I have worked with feral dogs in rescue who had never been on a leash, adults. Teaching loose leash walking isn't hard, but you need to back it with the "leave it" command. Mary's site is so simply it will make you feel faint. And it works. No pop and jerk, just good positive training. The lessons are on the left, other issues on the right. http://www.clickerlessons.com/index.htm I certainly would go through most the training, then get into an obedience class, but make sure by positive trainers .. go watch a couple of sessions first.
  • Leash training

    Basenji Training
    6
    0 Votes
    6 Posts
    3k Views
    tanzaT
    Love that Kathy…. BADsenji!!!!! Too perfect
  • Lost on the other side of the leash

    Basenji Training
    7
    0 Votes
    7 Posts
    3k Views
    N
    Thanks a lot, a lot! I am going to make a couple of phone calls since there are two trainers that I see are not too far away. It might work! I will let you know :)
  • A good leash

    Basenji Training
    9
    0 Votes
    9 Posts
    4k Views
    P
    My Basenjis agree that leather is much nicer!! They eat them asap.!! So far the metal parts have escaped! Any one would think I don't feed them!! However I think that there is nothing nicer than a good leather lead, I keep mine for best or when I don't have too many dog out together so that I can't watch them all at the same time. I use a 2cm for walking and a 1cm for showing.
  • Leash training

    Basenji Training
    42
    0 Votes
    42 Posts
    29k Views
    K
    These front-attaching harnesses work really well in my experience. As soon as the dog starts to pull, it will turn itself towards you, slowing it down. Otherwise the dog has every bit of freedom to do what it wants.
  • Loose Leash Training a Basenji

    Basenji Training
    21
    0 Votes
    21 Posts
    14k Views
    J
    Wow. I didn't realize it was so difficult to get Bs to walk nicely. I guess we had a lot of the "dirty work" done for us by the breeder. Joey, we got him at 10 months, walks superbly on his leash. I do need to remind him sometimes, but he gets back in line right away. The breeder tells me to be sure they know who is boss with every issue. I do see a difference with each of my kids that take Joey out and Joey knows who he can be tougher with and who he really has to listen to.