I adopted a mixed breed dog from a shelter. He looks like a smaller, skinnier Labrador.
When we go for walks, cars/bikes passing by, a plant blowing in the wind, people walking behind us would freak him out. He would pull on the leash to try to get away. He would pull on the leash when walking through an unfamiliar street. When people walk past to say hi (from across the street), he would bark and lunge at them.
He doesnt pull on the leash on routes that he knows unless there are moving stuff along the way (people, cars etc) and we would cross the street calmly until the trigger passes by. 2 of his daily walks are in these areas.
We do 1 daily walk in an unfamiliar street.
I could stay in his familiar routes but i want to build his confidence somehow.
I usually let him walk on any side because he seems more comfortable that way? Does that even matter? Sometimes he’s beside me, in front, behind etc.
How should i react once he’s barking at people?
I know he gets too focused on “getting away” that food or commands are useless, so what can i do instead? Is there a trick i could teach him in a calm environment that when he sees his trigger, he wouldnt immediately try to flee?
submitted by /u/Comfortable_Squash
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