Dealing with Leash Pulling / Barking / Aggression: Trusted LA Dog Trainers Speak

Leash pulling, barking, and “aggression” are the three behaviors that push most people to finally reach out.

The first thing I tell people is this: those aren’t three separate categories. They’re three different ways one system is expressing stress, uncertainty, or imbalance.

Leash Pulling

Pulling is rarely about the leash. It’s about:

• a dog who has more activation than they can regulate

• a relationship that isn’t yet clear

• an environment that overwhelms their current skill set

Treating it as a mechanical issue misses the point.

Barking

Chronic barking is usually:

• an attempt to manage something

• a response to feeling responsible

• an offshoot of a dog that never really gets to baseline

Silencing it without addressing the cause doesn’t resolve anything. It just pushes it sideways.

Aggression / Reactivity

Most so-called aggression I see is:

• fear

• frustration

• defensive behavior

You cannot safely sort that out from “my dog lunges at other dogs on leash” in a text box. That requires being present with the dog, watching pressure, distance, and tiny changes owners don’t know to look for.

Where I Come In

If you’re at the point where:

• walks feel like something you have to brace for

• you’re avoiding certain times or routes

• you’re embarrassed or nervous about your dog’s behavior

you’re beyond what free content can do for you.

That’s not a moral failing. It’s just the limit of general advice.

My job is to step in at that point, look at the situation clearly, and give you and your dog a process that actually fits the life you’re living out here — not a life someone imagined in a generic article.

Book your consultation at Dog Nerd LA today and transform the way your dog sees the world.