My dog barks and lunges at others on walks. How to reduce anxiety?

Question

How to reduce anxiety Mia displays when walking. Won't take treats and often barks and lunges at others. She is learning to walk without pulling and doing pretty good until we encounter others. Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed | Female | spayed | 9 months and 11 days old

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor Mia! If she is too upset to take treats, this means that you need to be further away from the things that are scaring her. Some dogs need a lot of distance at first! When you are far enough away for her to be comfortable, you can praise and reward her for calm behavior, then gradually work on moving closer as long as she's doing well. It can be challenging to do this on your own at first, so I would recommend getting in touch with a veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer who can work with you in person. You can search for a board-certified veterinary behaviorist in your area here (www.dacvb.org) or a qualified trainer here (www.ccpdt.org).

My dog barks and lunges at others on walks. How to reduce anxiety?

Most Helpful Answer

Related Questions

My cat is going crazy with his cone after neuter surgery. What to do?

Why is my new pet biting? Is she stressed or scared in her new home?

How to keep a pet mom and her newborn babies warm and calm?

My hamster is suddenly bloated, angry, and biting. What should I do?

Why is my degu acting strange, lying flat, and barking at night?

Dog licking paws, fur loss, and jaw wound: Could it be allergies?

Share