#20 - What to do when your dog avoids the leash?
Help your dog love the leash with a little patience and positive reinforcement
What do you do when your dog responds well off-leash, on trail or at the park, but the minute you try to put them back on leash and go home, they ignore the recall or dodge your approach?
I regularly see dogs in public parks being recalled by their guardian, running up to them, only to stop a few feet away and dart back out as soon as they step forward to bridge the gap. These dogs know what’s coming, and they do NOT want to be put back on leash.
Being able to leash your dog is a must, both for security and practical reasons, so what can we do to transform these masters of evasion to dogs that will happily accept the leash?
Which actions you need to take will depend on why your dog is avoiding the leash. Whenever we feel confused and frustrated by our dogs’ behaviour, the first step is to see the situation from their point of view.
1. Your dog might be avoiding the leash… because they’re in pain
If avoiding the leash is a new and out of character for them, consider the possibility that they might be in pain. Being on leash sometimes creates tensions in the neck (for collars) or in the back (for harnesses). Dogs, just like humans, will try to avoid situations that cause discomfort and pain. If you think pain is a possibility, consult your vet to rule out any underlying health issues.
2. Your dog might be avoiding the leash… because they’re stressed
The act of reaching over your dog’s head and grabbing their collar or harness can be scary or intimidating for a dog! Dogs may have had negative experiences associated with being on leash or having their collar grabbed. Alternatively, they might have been poorly introduced to the leash. As anyone who has trained a puppy will tell you, being on leash is not a natural behaviour for dogs. Being restricted in their movement can be stressful for them.
To tackle this, desensitization is the key. Work on making the process of being leashed an enjoyable and rewarding experience for your dog. Watch your dog’s body language to ensure that they stay relaxed as you get them used to the actions below, and reward them with a treat, toy or something else they enjoy:
- reaching your hand towards their body without touching,
- reaching your hand towards their neck without touching,
- touching their collar,
- grabbing their collar.
Start with slow movements and gradually increase the speed and the duration of the collar grab. Remember not to rush your dog through the process! We want your dog’s emotional response to having their collar or harness grabbed to be a positive one, not just something they tolerate.
While you’re working through the process in a managed environment, it’s important that you don’t use collar grabs in a way your dog is uncomfortable with. Leave your dog on leash when you’re outside. Use a long leash, or simply drop the leash without detaching it if you want them to run around for a while.
Once they have a positive association with this step, introduce the collar grab behaviour on trail. When using a recall, grab your dog’s harness/collar before giving a treat or toy, even if you don’t intend to put him back on leash, then release them.
Recall > Grab > Treat/toy > Release. It’s double the rewards for your dog!
3. Your dog might be avoiding the leash… because it means the end of all things fun!
Dogs learn by association, and they quickly understand when being leashed means the end of all the fun and freedom they were enjoying. To address this issue, consider the following approaches:
a. Short Leash Times
While on a trail or at the park, periodically put your dog back on the leash for short intervals. Alternating between off-leash and on-leash moments gives your dog the chance to realize that leash time is not synonymous with the end of their adventure, but just a prelude to more freedom.
b. Make Leash Time Fun
Figure out what activities your dog enjoys most during their off-leash time, whether it's running, playing, or sniffing. Incorporate these activities into their time on the leash. Use treats, toys, or other rewards to keep your dog engaged and excited when they're leashed. This will help change leash time from something boring that must be avoided, to an enjoyable part of the outing and a chance to connect with you.
c. Extend the Adventure with Leash Time
Instead of heading straight home from the dog park, give your dog additional time to explore the surrounding neighborhood while on the leash. This extended adventure serves as a rewarding experience and solidifies the idea that being on the leash doesn't mean the fun is over.
How wide are the saddle bags when they are full (or empty)? Will that impede your dog’s movements? Bucky is a fairly anxious dog and was truly uncomfortable moving in narrow spaces with the Ruffwear Palissades, which is why we ultimately moved to the Front Range, which features narrower saddle bags.
How will you pack and unpack items? If your dog's backpack is not full, you'll want to ensure that the contents don't shift around, as this can impact your dog's stability on the trail.
Dealing with a dog that evades the leash can be a challenging and frustrating experience, but it's essential to address the issue to ensure your outdoor adventures are safe and enjoyable. Before taking action, consider why your dog is behaving this way, and consult with a vet or dog trainer if needed.
By gradually introducing leash time, making it more enjoyable, and extending the adventure, you can reshape your dog's perspective on being leashed. Ultimately, the goal here is to show your dog that getting their collar grabbed, and being back on leash is, in order:
A) not scary,
B) not a big deal,
C) an opportunity for more fun!
Happy hiking!