Field Guide · Glossary
Oppositional reflex
EquipmentThe tendency of a dog to lean or pull against steady pressure, such as a tight leash, instead of moving with it.
How it works
The name is borrowed from the language of reflexes, and the label is informal: it describes a commonly observed tendency, and its status as a true reflex in dogs has not been established. What trainers see is simple. When a leash goes tight and stays tight, many dogs brace and push into it, and the harder the pull, the harder the push. Pulling is also reinforced whenever forward movement continues while the leash is tight. Training around it usually makes a loose leash the condition for moving forward, uses light, brief cues in place of constant tension, and teaches the dog in small steps to move toward gentle pressure.
What it looks like
A puppy on a new leash hits the end and plants their feet, leaning back against the collar. The handler pulls harder and the puppy leans harder. When the handler lets the leash go slack, steps back and calls the puppy in a bright voice, the puppy trots straight to them.
Commonly confused with
- Leash reactivity
- Leash reactivity is barking or lunging at triggers while on a leash. Oppositional reflex is about how a dog responds to the pull of the leash itself, and it shows up with or without anything to react to.
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.