Field Guide · Glossary
Leash reactivity
Reactivity and fearReactive behavior that appears when a dog is on a leash and largely disappears when they are not.
How it works
The leash removes the option to move away, and a dog who cannot create distance by leaving is left with making the other thing leave. It also removes the ability to greet normally: dogs approach each other in curves, and a leash tends to force a straight, head-on approach that is socially rude. Tension traveling down the leash from a worried handler is a further factor. All of that means the behavior is often about the equipment and the geometry rather than about the other dog.
What it looks like
A dog barks furiously at every dog they pass on the pavement. At a secure field with the same dogs off-leash, they greet in a wide arc, sniff, and walk away without incident.
Commonly confused with
- Reactivity
- Reactivity is the general pattern of an outsized response to an everyday trigger. Leash reactivity is the subset that only shows up on leash, which narrows the likely causes considerably.
Related terms
Gear that helps
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Front-clip no-pull harness (Freedom-style)
The front clip gives you steering without pressure on a dog's throat, which is why we start most pullers here. The 2 Hounds Freedom set is well made and holds up, made in the USA.
Martingale collar
For dogs who back out of a flat collar, it tightens just enough to stay on without choking. Good for walks where an escape would put a dog in the road.
"In training / reactive" leash ID patch
Tells the world to give your dog space before they get too close. We recommend one for any dog who needs distance, reactive or just in training.
High-value freeze-dried training treats
The paycheck. For reactive work the reward has to beat the trigger, so we keep these tiny, soft, and genuinely exciting, not everyday biscuits.
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