Leash aggression in dogs can occur rather suddenly, particularly as it becomes more ingrained, but in many cases, the animal may show signs of anxiety or fear prior to the lunging and barking that is characteristic of this condition. Some of the signs a dog is feeling anxious may include:
- Cowering
- Ears held back
- Escape behaviors
- Exaggerated yawning
- Excessive vocalizations
- Keeping head lower than back
- Licking face and nose (with no food present)
- Lip tension
- Panting
- Showing the whites of the eye
- Tail tucked under
- Timidity
- Trembling
- Whites of the eye turning pink or red
Types
Fear
Fear driven leash aggression is usually focused on other dogs or on humans. Fast moving vehicles such as bicycles, skateboards, and even cars can incite an aggressive fear response from an animal that isn’t familiar with these items.
Frustration
In some situations, the aggression starts as curiosity and excitement, then changes to aggression when the dog is held back from its goal. The animal may also experience pain when attempting to reach the object of their interest, which can cause them to begin associating the item with pain and frustration instead of curiosity.
Prey Drive
Some dogs pull and lunge on their leashes when they see a prey animal such as a squirrel or rabbit. Although treats are frequently successful in extinguishing the aggressive behaviors for fear and frustration, they tend to be less effective when the aggression is related to a high prey drive.