Always check if it's OK for your dog to say 'hello' when passing other dogs on the lead, rather than just allowing them to approach. Dogs who like to be sociable will naturally choose to approach one another side-on in an arc as opposed to head-on, so wherever possible, try to allow for this.
Greetings are most likely to go well when dogs do not feel trapped, so if possible, introduce the dogs off-leash. When dogs are on-leash, the greeting is not on their terms because they are being forced to be close to each other and lack the freedom to move away.
Take the dogs (separately) to a neutral place like the park. Make sure there are no other dogs around, as this will be distracting. Allow the dogs to meet each other through a barrier if possible, like a fence. Avoid having them on-leash, as pulling on the leash can increase anxiety and even feelings of aggression.
A reactive dog is usually a fearful dog. Causes can be genetic, but they are more likely due to a lack of socialization, prior bad experiences or a lack of training.
Many dogs are out of control when they see another dog. They will whine, bark, lunge, etc… even when the dog is at a great distance. Dogs can act this way out of excitement, frustration, fear, pain, and sometimes out of aggression. There is a much greater chance of improving our dogs behavior when it is predictable.
The five-second rule: Place the back of your hand on the pavement. If you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it's too hot to walk your dog on the pavement. "If the asphalt is so hot you could probably fry an egg on it, then it can burn your dog's feet.
Keeping the humans between the dogs on a long walk after their time together in a dog park is the next step to creating a successful multi-dog family. With both dogs on leash and with people forming a barrier between them, they have the chance to get used to each other's company without stress.
Dogs of any age can start training to improve their reactivity. You do need to keep in mind that the longer a behavior has been ingrained, the longer it will take to retrain the dog. Whether or not the dog will be “cured” in the sense of being completely fine in the presence of his triggers cannot be predicted.
Many of these leash reactive dogs can be “cured” by simply increasing their exercise routine and giving them more to do every day. They're the equivalent of a child who acts out in school because their basic needs aren't being met at home.
Be sure to choose activities you feel are safe and take all necessary precautions when managing things like reactivity. Always observe leash laws and if you feel your dog is aggressive in the least, or poses a risk to other dogs or people, always keep them leashed and at a safe distance away.
Keep treating them as long as they are calm and try to create enough distance between you and the other dog so they don't react. If your dog does react, calmly say “nope,” block them for a moment with your body, then turn and walk away from the other dog.
Start paying closer attention to your dog checking in with you, or ignoring distractions such as other dogs and reward them heavily. You need to make ignoring the distraction and focusing on you MORE REWARDING than the alternative. If your dog isn't interested in treats, use a game to reward them such as tug or fetch.
This kind of work can take anywhere from two to 12 months, as that's how long it takes for a dog to learn a new behavior. After that time period, you should be able to substitute negative reactions with positive thoughts.
Reactive behaviors usually crop up in adolescence around 6 to 18 months of age and tend to get worse as the dog reaches social maturity around 2 or 3 years of age. Your pup will not “grow out of” this behavior.
Teach your dog basic obedience; sit, down, come, let's go and place. Your dog should learn to do these commands with distractions. Your reactive dog needs rules; stay off the furniture, no more sleeping in bed, no leash pulling, wait and door, quiet on command.
At first, walk the dogs at a distance where they can see each other but are not too provoked by each other's presence. If the dogs are not showing any negative behaviors, reward them with treats just for seeing each other.
Yes. Like humans, dogs need the mental stimulation that new sights and experiences bring. Repeating the same walking routine tends to get boring after a while, and as a dog walker, you probably feel the same way.