Help with leash aggression

emyinpink

Since we moved downtown and haven't been in training for awhile, our pup has developed leash aggression when we take him out. 

Backstory: When we first got him, he suffered from pretty severe anxiety that brought out aggressive behaviors. We worked extensively with a trainer, and had significant improvement.

Unfortunately we have lots of people who let their dogs run loose in the park where he goes for walks/goes potty, so that's making it more difficult.

I've been working on making him focus (heel), and then if he starts barking at all, immediately redirect. He gets extensive praise when he behaves and doesn't bark. This has been working well, and now he can handle being just a few feet from dogs. But, as soon as they come up to say hi, he starts barking and lunging like crazy. I immediately redirect and have him focus, but I'm not sure how to get past the last step of him friendly greeting another dog on leash. Any ideas? 

MamaSquirt

I don't have any actual advice, but I have a book recommendation

 

http://www.patriciamcconnell.com/product/the-feisty-fido

NotJennay

emyinpink:

Unfortunately we have lots of people who let their dogs run loose in the park where he goes for walks/goes potty, so that's making it more difficult.

I'm no help on your other problems, but I'll offer sympathy here.  It drives me (and the dog) nuts when other folks let their dogs off leash when there are other dogs on leash.  It's almost impossible to not have issues in that type of environment.

Mryan209

This isn't exactly helping with your problem, but FWIW I almost never let my dog (or fosters) meet other dogs on leash.  My dog doesn't like it anymore so that's a factor, but even my leash-friendly dogs I try not to allow it.  It's very unnatural for dogs and that can be tough to overcome. 

As for people having their dogs off-leash, can you avoid that area or go at a less busy time?  This is also because if/when you do work on his leashed greetings, you'll need everything every controlled while you're working on it.  You can lose a lot of ground quickly in training. 

5thOfJuly

I wanted to add some sympathy here, too. After one behaviorist and 3 classes, our sweet Bichon's leash aggression is only *somewhat* better. He awesome with other dogs off leash. On leash is an entirely different story. After several years, we've pretty much given up. We just redirect when possible.

KatiesCats

Are you praising or treating?  We found that Cal didn't give a shits about praise when he was in that situation.  It was hot dogs and happiness or something of less value that he'd ignore to go apeshit on other dogs.

kristinanddan

NotJennay:

I'm no help on your other problems, but I'll offer sympathy here.  It drives me (and the dog) nuts when other folks let their dogs off leash when there are other dogs on leash.  It's almost impossible to not have issues in that type of environment.

 

But my dog is FRIENDLY!!!!!!!$(*#&$!!!!!!! 

PurposelyVague

KatiesCats:

Are you praising or treating?  We found that Cal didn't give a shits about praise when he was in that situation.  It was hot dogs and happiness or something of less value that he'd ignore to go apeshit on other dogs.

I was going to suggest treating too when you redirect and he listens. Hemi had a lot of aggression issues and this is how we were able to work through them.

emyinpink

NotJennay:

emyinpink:

Unfortunately we have lots of people who let their dogs run loose in the park where he goes for walks/goes potty, so that's making it more difficult.

I'm no help on your other problems, but I'll offer sympathy here.  It drives me (and the dog) nuts when other folks let their dogs off leash when there are other dogs on leash.  It's almost impossible to not have issues in that type of environment.

Yea, it really pisses me off actually. We've actually had a dog charge at us once, and Link's only 10 pounds. ARG.

We've been doing praise, I'll try with treats and see if that helps. He's never been really food motivated, but maybe I just need to find the right kind of treat.  

emyinpink

Mryan209:

This isn't exactly helping with your problem, but FWIW I almost never let my dog (or fosters) meet other dogs on leash.  My dog doesn't like it anymore so that's a factor, but even my leash-friendly dogs I try not to allow it.  It's very unnatural for dogs and that can be tough to overcome. 

As for people having their dogs off-leash, can you avoid that area or go at a less busy time?  This is also because if/when you do work on his leashed greetings, you'll need everything every controlled while you're working on it.  You can lose a lot of ground quickly in training. 

This is also really good to hear. I was worried that I was doing something horribly wrong because I couldn't get him to behave with on leash greetings . 

KatelynS07

emyinpink:

NotJennay:

emyinpink:

Unfortunately we have lots of people who let their dogs run loose in the park where he goes for walks/goes potty, so that's making it more difficult.

I'm no help on your other problems, but I'll offer sympathy here.  It drives me (and the dog) nuts when other folks let their dogs off leash when there are other dogs on leash.  It's almost impossible to not have issues in that type of environment.

Yea, it really pisses me off actually. We've actually had a dog charge at us once, and Link's only 10 pounds. ARG.

We've been doing praise, I'll try with treats and see if that helps. He's never been really food motivated, but maybe I just need to find the right kind of treat.  

Our foster is not food motivated at all, and can be very leash reactive. We have been working with her a lot in the last few months, and I found a toy that she loves more than anything else. We have a Cuz toy with feet (I can keep hold on the feet while we're walking). Using the Cuz toy as her treat, she can now pass within a couple of feet from other dogs. For us, it was all about finding the right treat/toy.

Also, I can totally sympathize with people having off leash dogs while your dog is on leash. ugh.