Does a leash affect a dog’s behavior?
When we lead a dog on a leash, we can better control it. And, quite naturally, most experts urge you not to let your dog off the leash if you have not taught it the perfect call. But does the leash affect the behavior of the dog, and if so, how?
First of all, let’s make a reservation that we are talking about a leash, and not about a tape measure. The influence of roulette and the disadvantages of using it are often discussed, including on our portal. But now – about the usual leash.
On the one hand, a dog on a leash feels more confident – after all, the owner is attached to it. On the other hand, she cannot run away if she becomes uncomfortable. For example, the owner makes her tolerate interaction with other people or dogs that our dog is afraid of. And in this case, the likelihood of aggression increases, because the owner does not notice the signals of discomfort, and you can’t leave.
Further, in order to minimize the negative impact of the leash, and get only pluses from walking on a leash, you need to make sure of 2 things:
- That the leash is long enough (at least 3 meters, and preferably at least 5).
- That the dog is properly trained to walk on a leash and does not pull on it.
If the leash is short, it is physically difficult for the dog not to pull it.
A tight leash is dangerous because, firstly, it increases the dog’s excitement. So, all the emotions that the pet experiences. Including anger and fear.
In addition, the dog pulling the leash in the eyes of relatives demonstrates a threat: it leans forward with a tense body. And it increases the likelihood that the oncoming dog will react aggressively to yours. And this is simply dangerous.
Another disadvantage of the leash is that some owners in this case pay less attention to the dog. They walk, buried in the phone or put on headphones, and the dog hangs out somewhere on the other end of the leash by itself. Please remember that walking is for the dog. And you can find out who is wrong on the Internet and express your point of view at home.
Does this mean that the leash is evil? Of course not! You just need to choose the correct length of the leash, correctly train your pet to walk on a sagging leash, use humane ammunition and do not forget about the existence of a dog on walks.
