The Old Trainer: The dog’s not the trouble, the leash is

DEAR OLD TRAINER: Boots, my 2-year-old Lab mix, is the friendliest dog at the dog park, but when I walk him on a leash he barks at every dog we meet. He lunges at some, even though I try to keep him right next to me. What is the problem?

A: You answered your own question. Boots gets along fine with dogs at the park, but is aggressive on-leash. Therefore, the leash is the problem.

Here’s why:

1. A short leash alters a dog’s body language, making him feel trapped when relating to other dogs.

2. Dogs are pack animals and want to meet any dog they see. A dog jerked to a stop before engaging in normal canine activity shows his frustration by barking at the other dog. If everyone at the dog park kept their dogs on short leashes, every dog would be barking and lunging instead of running around having a good time.

3. You are nervous and Boots feels the tension through the leash, hears your heart rate increase and your breathing change. He looks around for the cause, decides the approaching dog is the problem, and acts to protect you.

Training will solve the problem. First, switch to an expandable leash. A dog on a short leash is as frustrated as a human stuck in a freeway jam. Let him burn up energy and have fun. That’s the point of a walk.

Start the training at the dog park. You have to learn to relax, Boots has to learn to relax. After he plays a while, put the leash on and let him stroll through the park. Show him the leash does not restrict his interaction with other dogs. Train him on your daily walk as well.

The instant he begins to pull hard on the leash, say, “Easy, Boots,” and pet and praise him when he looks at you. Don’t try to keep the leash tense, use the command to control him. If he ignores you, slap your thigh with a rolled-up newspaper, jiggle the leash and give the command when he looks back to see the source of the sound.

Repeat half a dozen times, walk for a while, then repeat the exercise. Do it every time Boots pulls hard on the leash, and praise him every time he relaxes.

It helps to practice with a friendly dog Boots knows. As the two dogs walk toward each other, give the command. If Boots is relaxed, let him approach the dog and engage in normal canine behavior.

If he shows aggression, touch him on the neck to break his train of thought and make him focus on you. Order him to sit and give him a lecture. The time to stop aggression is before it begins. Go back to the dog park and start over if you need to.

Don’t force Boots to put up with rude behavior from another dog. If a dog is pawing at him or rearing up on him, he may growl to warn the dog to behave. Such a warning is not aggression, it is simple canine communication.

Practice every time you walk, and if you and Boots are both relaxed the problem will disappear.

This story was originally published January 29, 2016 at 1:46 PM with the headline "The Old Trainer: The dog’s not the trouble, the leash is."