The Pet Parent Hotline · March 8, 2026 · 37 min
Leash Reactive Dog? Stop Feeling Guilty, Understand It
Does walking your dog feel like you’re on high alert every second, bracing for the next blow-up? If Spot's behavior looks like dog aggression on walks, but doesn’t feel that simple, you’re not alone. Many dogs labeled as aggressive are actually dealing with leash reactivity, and that’s a very different problem. If you’re dealing with leash reactivity, you’re not failing, and you’re not “doing it wrong.” What’s happening usually isn’t aggression, it’s a dog having a hard time. In this episode,...