JANUARY 2022 Client Spotlight: Barkley

When I met Barkley, I fell head over heels. He is the sweetest thing on this side of the planet and I just knew we were going to have fun working together. His owners love him to the moon and back and at the time, they really couldn’t complain. He wasn’t a chewer, he came when he was called and was completely housetrained. Everything about him was perfect, except his walks. After each one, they were left feeling frustrated and clueless on how to help relieve his fears of other dogs. Leash reactivity is hard to witness and I empathized with his owners. It wasn’t their fault and my goal was to prove it.

We started our training journey off with polite walking skills as well as teaching Barkley the value of checking in. We wanted Barkley to not only know the value of walking on a loose leash but also realize that it was his job to do so. We worked in different environments (his house, neighborhood, and a nearby park) and eventually got Barkley to the point where he could be out in public. By the end of the training, the owners felt empowered and confident in how to manage and continue the training on their own.

The biggest thing with leash reactivity is preventing it from happening in the first place. Management, as it’s called in the training industry, is 75% of resolving any type of aggression. If your dog sees another dog and you are able to disengage and redirect, you have prevented the behavior from being practiced. Moreover, you’ve also shown your dog what to do when he encounters a frustrating, scary, or potentially threatening situation.

We want our dogs thinking and that is what training is for. Our goal should be to teach them how to behave in a human world and receive more good feelings than bad. Once you get your dog to the point where he is feeling confident in himself and the routines of the walk, both of you can enjoy the activity cooperatively. Walks are not only a great source of exercise but also a chance to strengthen the relationship and bond with your dog.

If you are experiencing leash reactivity with your dog, please get in touch me. I would be more than happy to help you!