While most dogs enjoy being outdoors, leashes aren't their first choice for how they like to explore their world. For many dogs, being on leash is very stressful. When a dog is on leash, they are obviously tethered, hindered not only from doing what they want, but kept from being able to adequately protect themselves, and you. This is why keeping the leash loose when walking helps to reduce the pressure your dog feels on those leashed walks. Make sure your dog has enough leash to explore and sniff without feeling tension and pulling at their neck, back, or shoulders. And please don't make the mistake of thinking that a retractable leash will make your dog happier because it won't. Retractable leashes are dangerous for dogs and for their people. If you want your dog on a longer leash, but with even more room to explore safely, put them on a long line. You can get them in any length from 10 feet right on up.
Dogs who are anxious on leash don't need 5 mile walks or hour long strolls, they need short walks, at off peak times and off peak places, that build their confidence without adding to their stress. While the average healthy adult dog needs two 30-45 minute walks each day, that's not a hard and fast rule for every dog. Some dogs do just fine with one walk a day. Others, it's two walks, but both for just 15-20 minutes each. And there are also dogs who do quite well with any length/distance walk, as long as they receive ample play time at home with their humans. And if you have an aggressive dog, that is one who behaves in a reactive manner toward other dogs, other people, or both, you will want to be very cautious about when, where, and how often you walk your dog. Yes, you do indeed have the right to walk your dog, but you do need to make sure that doing so doesn't put anyone else at risk. This might mean walking very early in the morning, late at night, with your dog wearing a muzzle, or all of the above. Just remember that you will want to train your dog to wear a flexible basket-style muzzle for walking which will allow them to pant, bark, sniff, drink water, and take treats. All you want the muzzle to restrict is their ability to bite someone or another dog. Plus, dogs who are walked wearing muzzles are automatically given more space by others walking their dogs and that's exactly what your anxiously aggressive dog was looking for. Remember, too, that you can and should exercise your dog at home, whether that's with yard-approved agility equipment, a chuck-it, a flirt pole, or a swimming pool. While most dogs won't utilize any of those things on their own, they will be more than happy to run around with you, chasing a ball, following the flirt pole, or maneuvering around agility equipment.
As to what kind of collar or harness to use, that depends on your dog, their age/life stage, whether they pull or not, and whether they have issues in reactivity. Seek out and utilize the collar or harness that is the most comfortable for your dog while still doing the job you intended it to do. Right now, for example, I am walking Henley on a Gentle Leader Head Halter. This has been a game changer for his on-leash pulling and really made maneuvering around the ill-mannered dogs in my neighborhood that much easier. And as far as treats go, everyone should carry treats in their pocket and not just for reinforcing or redirecting your own dog, but to throw by the handful in an emergency situation where you need to distract that off leash dog who just bum-rushed you! Just remember that whether a treat is high value or low value is determined by your dog, not you. While most might consider their kibble to be low value, I've met dogs who thought kibble was the best thing ever and the owners used chopped up zucchini for their low value treat. For Henley, it would be just the opposite; kibble would be low value, and he loves zucchini!
I have a copy of a dog training book from the 1970's where they basically said "walk your dog twice a day" without giving any information on what that walk should look like. We've made so much progress since those days of chain leashes and choke collars. We now have many more options to choose from and a better idea of what a dog considers a successful, rewarding walk. I am grateful for those choices.
As always, if you have questions about your pet's behavior, you know where to find me.
Here's Henley on a walk without his head halter, enjoying an amazing stick
he discovered in the neighborhood.
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