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January is Walk Your Pet Month, a great time to get outside and exercise with your pup. But what if your dog needs space from other dogs or people? Dont resort to walking your dog at midnight. With patience, ongoing training, and expert advice, you can successfully manage your dogs leash reactivity.

It's easy to get overwhelmed with all the information circulating out there about what to do with your reactive dog and how best to help them improve, said Scott Raymond, MS, CPDT-KA, a certified professional dog trainer with Synergy Behavior Solutions in Portland, Oregon.

Misleading information can also result in the development of even more significant behavioral issues, he said.

Contrary to popular belief, you don't need to punish a dog to make them act better, Raymond said. Having a consistent management plan and a solid rewards-based approach to training can help a lot.

According to animal behaviorist, ethologist, and adjunct professor in zoology at the University of WisconsinMadison, Patricia McConnell, PhD, CAAB, it is important to gain confidence walking your reactive dog to build resiliencethe process of adapting well in the face of significant stress.

Exercise and time outdoors have a profound effect on dogs and people, both on healing from drama and building resilience, she said.

Below are great resources and tips you can put to use right away to help correct and manage reactive behaviorand create a better walk for you and your dog.

Setting your reactive dog up for success

Training ideas

At the veterinarian

Living with a reactive dog also presents challenges when it comes to veterinary appointments.

AAHA-accreditedFrontier Veterinary Hospitalin Hillsboro, Oregon, created special corrals that keep reactive pets separate in the waiting room for this very purpose.

Our biggest tool, however, is our workflow, Frontier's practice development director, Sara Fleissner, said. We room clients as soon as possible upon entering the building. Sometimes, the customer service representative sees [clients] in the parking lot and greets them the moment they walk in. Then, everything happens in the room: taking of history, doctor exam and communication, and most importantly, checkout. This minimizes the interaction between patients in the building.

This is important for all patients, whether they are fearful, reactive, or excited, Fleissner added.

Many dogs need space. If you live with a dog that has leash reactivity, there are many solutions and tools at your disposal. Remember that walking a reactive dog at midnight is one option, but not the only option.

As a certified veterinary technician, longtime PR veteran, and content marketing expert, Christy Caplan brings her unique understanding of social and digital media to connect dog lovers to brands both on and offline. She lives with three houndstwo doxies and a beagle/basset hound mixwho constantly teach her about life and companionship. Christy is a member of the Dog Writers Association of America and writes for Spot Magazine, City Dog Magazine, and regional animal publications. Follow Christy at mylifewithdogspdx.com.

Originally posted here:
Walking a reactive dog: Tips and tricks | AAHA

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