Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde...

[mikerofone]

Our yellow lab is 1.5 years old. While quirky and energetic, he is sweet and friendly as can be. At the off leash dog park near our house, people often comment that he is the friendliest dog in the park - to both humans and other dogs. He always has a big smile on his face and greets all comers.

When off leash, any dog we encounter he trots up to with his tail wagging in the air and a big smile on his face.

But...when on leash, he is with greater frequency taken to lunging and snarling and bearing his teeth to other passing dogs. Not all dogs, but there is no rhyme or reason to which ones he chooses to behave this way towards. It is happening with greater frequency and is a relatively newer behavior; he has not always done this.

Has anyone else experienced this and suggestions as to how to deal with it? Thanks.

[SunDance]

The age of 2 is considered to be when dogs will start to have behavior issues like aggression if they are going to develop them. IF. And I've heard of "leash aggression" from others...including here on the board...but haven't experienced it. (my last dog didn't appreciate dogs coming up to him but the leash wasn't really a factor...his did start around the age of 2....and his wasn't truly aggressive...he didn't mind the other dogs as long as they weren't approaching him)

Maybe do a search here under leash aggression while you're waiting for responses. Good luck with your pup.

[Snowshoe]

This fairly common and as Barb says, may show when puberty is finished. I have not experienced this but a technique that worked for us with other distractions while on leash is LAT, short for Look At That. It is for aggression and other unwanted behaviour on and off leash. Worked wonders for us when my dog wanted to respond to the nasty big one that charged his fence at us.

Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed?: Home Page

[SunDance]

This fairly common and as Barb says, may show when puberty is finished. I have not experienced this but a technique that worked for us with other distractions while on leash is LAT, short for Look At That. It is for aggression and other unwanted behaviour on and off leash. Worked wonders for us when my dog wanted to respond to the nasty big one that charged his fence at us.

Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed?: Home Page

"Look at me!" also works really well for all kinds of things.

[SunDance]

This fairly common and as Barb says, may show when puberty is finished. I have not experienced this but a technique that worked for us with other distractions while on leash is LAT, short for Look At That. It is for aggression and other unwanted behaviour on and off leash. Worked wonders for us when my dog wanted to respond to the nasty big one that charged his fence at us.

Leslie McDevitt: Control Unleashed?: Home Page

Oh, yeah...and your link couldn't connect for me.

[Snowshoe]

https://www.dogwise.com/control-unle...confident-dog/