“Why Does My Dog Lose Their Mind on Walks?” — A Real Talk on Leash Reactivity

Let’s set the scene: You’re strolling down the street, iced coffee in hand, your dog looking all cute and innocent… until another dog appears. Suddenly, you’re holding back a lunging, barking gremlin. Embarrassed? Check. Confused? Check. Wondering why this ONLY happens on leash? Also check.

Take a deep breath, dog mom — you’re not alone, and you’re not doing anything wrong. Welcome to the world of leash reactivity.

What Is Leash Reactivity, Anyway?

Leash reactivity is when a dog reacts — often with barking, lunging, growling, or whining — while on leash in response to a trigger. Common triggers include:

• Other dogs 🐕
• People 🚶
• Bikes/skateboards 🚲🛹
• Anything they find overstimulating, scary, or just too exciting

Here’s the twist: Many leash-reactive dogs are totally chill off leash. So what gives?

The Root of the Rage: Why Dogs React on Leash

Dogs are social animals — but leashes take away their freedom to:

• Create distance from what makes them uncomfortable
• Use body language fully (a HUGE part of how they communicate)
• Control their environment

So instead of saying, “I’m not comfy, imma walk away,” your dog is stuck like, “AHHHHH” 😱… and boom, you’ve got a reaction.

Some common causes:

• Frustration (they want to greet, but can’t)
• Fear/anxiety (they feel trapped or threatened)
• Lack of coping skills (like a toddler with no words for big feelings)
• Learned behavior (they barked once, it “worked,” and now it’s their go-to move)

“So… Am I a Bad Dog Parent?”

NO. Let’s kill that narrative right now.

Leash reactivity is super common, especially in rescue dogs, working breeds, and high-drive pups. It’s not a reflection of your worth — it’s just a behavior to work through with compassion, consistency, and tools that actually help.

What Doesn’t Help:

❌ Yanking the leash or yelling “NO!” (this can actually increase anxiety or drive up arousal)

❌ Avoiding walks forever (this isolates your dog and doesn’t build skills)

❌ Flooding your dog with triggers (“they need to get used to it” = recipe for disaster)

What Does Help:

✅ Distance is your friend

Start far enough away from the trigger that your dog notices but doesn’t explode. That’s your training zone.

✅ Reinforce calm behavior

Use treats, praise, or toys to reward things like looking at the trigger calmly, turning to you, or offering focus.

✅ Use tools that make life easier

Think: front-clip harnesses, treat pouches, long lines for decompression walks. (And yes, we’ve got those)

✅ Find a qualified trainer

Look for a force-free, positive reinforcement-based trainer who understands reactivity. Trust me, it’s worth every penny.

Real Talk: Progress Isn’t Linear

Your dog will have good days and gremlin days. That doesn’t mean you’re failing. Celebrate small wins, like:

• Your dog noticing a trigger but staying quiet
• Recovering from a bark-out faster than usual
• Choosing to look at you instead of lunging

That’s growth, baby. 🌱