Leash reactivity (lunging)

All behaviour guides

Why it happens

Barking and lunging on leash at dogs, bikes or joggers is usually big feelings, frustration or fear, with no escape option.

What works

  1. Work below threshold: the distance where your dog can see the trigger and still eat. Pay looking calmly.
  2. Pattern games help: trigger appears, treat scatter follows, every time.
  3. Progress is measured in meters per month. Log it in this app and you will see it.

What makes it worse

Keep this in mind

Reactivity is probably the number 1 issue in group training classes across Europe. Whole classes exist just for this, you are in very large company.

What owners usually need for this

All of these are in the Pawty Marketplace, filtered to retailers that deliver to your country.

When to get help in person

This one is safety-critical or emotion-driven. Work with a qualified force-free trainer or a veterinary behaviourist rather than doing it alone. See a veterinarian for any sudden behaviour change or sign of pain, and a qualified behaviourist in person if your dog has bitten, guards with snapping, or panics when left alone. Read our approach.

Train it, do not just read about it

Pawty also has 99 training skills in 3-minute sessions you rate 1 to 5 paws, streaks that freeze instead of reset, and a care calendar. Free. No subscription, no paywall.

Download on theApp Store Get it onGoogle Play