Leash Reactivity & Dogs Thresholds

A dog can be reactive to anything. Most dogs do have some changes in behavior as they leave the home, once they have entered into a different environment.

Leash reactivity is very common. Leash reactivity, we must think about the dog's motivation. Is there barking, lunging, screeching, pulling, staring? The dog’s behavior can be different on leash than off leash. The dog’s behavior is different when they see the same stimuli off leash. Yes, this can happen. Off leash the dog is doing well and once that leash is on, the dog changes.

Threshold is a metaphor and there are many types of thresholds. Understanding your dog better when they are under threshold being more relaxed and when your dog has gone over threshold.

A dog may step out of the home and become reactive, because they may have picked up on a scent. You might see more changes as your dog starts to have an aversion to the stimuli. You may notice, changes in the tail, a tight mouth, fur tightens or stands, or breathing patterns.  These can all be precursors to watch for before going over thresholds.  These are subtle signs and much easier to redirect, to help them get away from a situation.

Compare your dog when they are relaxed and when you notice changes in body language and behavior. It is good to do a body scan before you take out for the walk on leash. This helps to have a better understanding of your dog’s threshold.

When working with a dog that is leash reactive, if we see a dog in the area walking away from the dog, then we will most likely continue moving forward in the same direction. When a dog is heading towards the dog on a walk, we want to do our best to help the dog. We may need to move into a different direction. We want to reinforce behaviors we want to see more of. We want to reinforce the dog for not becoming reactive. We want to cue the dog to do something else as we work with them. Helping the dog to not go over the threshold.

What are your dog’s routines? Exercise, sleep, mind stimulation, and enrichment.

Sleep is very important in a dog’s life also. This can affect how they feel from day to day and how they respond. Stress can build up from one day and they still feel it the next day. A good example your dog may have had a fence fight with the neighbor’s dog the day before and this all ended well. But the next day, you may step out the door with your dog and notice your dog is more hypervigilant and scanning the area more and is less responsive to cues they understand well and taking food harder from your hand.

Dogs do need time to recover after having a stressful event in their lives. Every dog is going to respond to everything differently. Is there too much stress? Can we make a small change in the routine to help the dog? We may need to change the environment for two weeks, where training is happening with less stress.  

I always recommend keeping a journal and logging activities with your dog.  Is your dog barking at strangers, in the car or around the home?  What did your dog see? Another dog? Was the dog a specific breed with pointy ears?  Because when we want to change behavior, we want to work in all areas of the dog’s daily life too.

Triggers stacking is something that can happen in a dog’s life. If your dog has experienced trigger stacking in just the past few days, this too can be a piece of the leash reactivity also.  How can we help the dog? Do we need to give the dog a more relaxed day? Give the dog some chews today or stuffed Kong for the day. Nose work games are good to help dogs. With all reactivity we may need to give the dog a break away from the normal everyday routine to help them recover.

What is your dog’s easiest behavior? Something your dog really likes. We can do hand targeting and treat chases and then end on a treat scatter. When dogs that are put into an environment that is unknown, we are giving them something to do that is easiest on the dog. We build in routines they are familiar with and positive experiences they do know.

A dog may be reactive to other dogs when on leash. The environment is constantly changing, and we need to make changes as we are working with a dog.  A dog can first look at a dog and suddenly you notice your dog will not take a treat. This is when we need to make change the criteria to make it easier for the dog. A scatter of food on the ground could be a good choice.

Treat chases can be a good choice also, because it gets the dogs body moving. A dog’s body in motion is a good choice and help them to move around, is much better than getting stuck.

A dog walking across the street, we can use treat chases to help the dog keep moving.  When working with your dog in public there will always be changes in the environment in condition with your dog. The environment is huge and it needs to be looked at when you are planning to walk and where you walk.

Work in areas with a distraction that is not a dog first and practice. Using the front door open with the leash on your dog and ask for a behavior. Take notes on how your dog responds when you just opened the door and what happens when you are standing a few feet away from the door.

Every dog is different and will respond to differently in environments.

When a dog is reactive on leash that is in their repertoire, and we can decrease frequency. Some dogs are very vocal on leash but is your dog vocal off leash too? If your dog is vocal on and off leash, we must look into the breed also.

German shepherd and Belgium Malinois s can be vocal also.  We need to normalize vocalization in breeds too. Hunting dogs will bark when they are hunting and on scent. Dogs can be vocal and they are communicating when barking.

I offer services for leash reactive dogs, and I can be found at www.meccacurtice.com

I may ask you to change routines and slow down on walks as we work together to help your dog on walks.

I start my outdoors training sessions every April and continue to the end of October. I work with you and your dog. In your home and outdoors on walks and in different areas.

Leashes are barriers and they can be frustrating for dogs. You are not alone and there is help.

Start up with my Initial Consultation a time when we can meet and I can learn more about your dog and the problem you are having.

Mecca Curtice CDBC, CCDT, CBATI-KA, FDM

© 2026 Mecca Curtice, Mecca's All Breed Dog Training, LLC.