Does harnessing and leashing up your dog have you feeling like you're wrestling an alligator? Does your dog grab the leash and thrash while on a walk? What's up with that? 

Harness Hurdles

The harness might not be the best fit for your dog. Does the harness strap cut across your dog's shoulder? If so, this can impinge shoulder movement. This can be uncomfortable if not downright painful. 

Consider purchasing a harness that allows your dog's shoulders to move freely. 

Perhaps your dog did not receive proper socialization when it comes to handling and equipment. Perhaps your dog was handled roughly in the past and is skittish about hands moving towards him?

Give your dog something to do while you harness him up. Put a pile of food on the floor. As your dog eats it, put the harness on. Alternatively, give your dog a toy or ball while you harness him up. 

Start pairing reaching for your dog with food. Pick a reaching hand and a feeding hand. Keeping your reaching hand three feet above your dog, allow your dog to see your reaching hand move towards him (without touching) then feed your dog with your feeding hand. You'll work up to reaching closer and touching. Your dog will set the pace and let you know when he's made a positive association with being reached for. Behavior United is creating a self-study course for vet visits and husbandry skills. (If at any point your dog moves away, yawns, growls, or snaps, stop and contact a professional force-free dog trainer.) 

Leash Lash Out

If you're walking along and your dog suddenly grabs the leash, shaking her head, she's trying to tell you something. What happened right before she did this? What was your response? Answering these two questions will go a long way to decreasing this behavior. 

If it happens at the beginning of the walk, consider that your dog may not even want to go for a walk. Many dogs are looking forward to routines from the before times, if only to give them a break from seven walks a day.

If this happens in the beginning of the walk, stop the walk and go home.

I often see this leash grab and shake happen when dogs are overstimulated. Did your dog hear a lot of noise on her walk? Did she see a lot of people on bikes and other dogs walking? 

If so, the leash grab and thrash may be her way of crying "Uncle" and asking to go home. 

If this is the case, step on the leash, giving your dog enough room to stand, sit, or lay down. Ask your dog to target your hand. Ask your dog to snuffle for treats you throw in the grass. Give them something else to pay attention to. Once her brain returns to her body, get home as quickly as possible. 

I hope this gives you some context behind your dog’s bucking bronco behavior. Many people have added dogs to their families and are walking their dogs more. Some dogs love it, some don’t. If you’re seeing your dog act out when she sees her harness and leash, consider putting them away and exercising your dog’s brain instead. Remember, Dr. Ian Dunbar says that 20-minutes of mental stimulation can tire your dog out as much as an hour long walk. Replace some walks with brain games and see if your dog looks forward to seeing her harness and leash again!

Thank you Lenore Boulet and Mango for this photo! I highly recommend Lenore for professional photographs of you and your dog!