Do you dread taking your dog for a walk because they lunge at other dogs, other people, or objects like cars or skateboards? Maybe they bark or growl too. Walking an out-of-control dog is both physically and emotionally exhausting. It's tempting to avoid walks altogether, but then your dog isn't getting the mental stimulation and physical exercise they need. So, what do you do? Read on for tips to manage and improve your dog's lunging behavior.
Understand Why Dogs Lunge
Dog experts often label dogs who lunge and bark during walks as "leash reactive." A reactive dog is one who becomes overly aroused by normal situations, and a leash reactive dog is one who behaves that way on leash. But what causes this behavior? There are three possible motivations for lunging. The least likely is aggression. Although rare, some dogs truly want to do harm. Fear is a far more common motivator. Using the "I'll get it before it gets me" strategy, dogs lunge to try to make the feared person, dog, or other object go away. Finally, your dog might be excited to approach the person, dog, or object, but because