OPPOSITION REFLEX AND WHY IT IS THE REASON YOUR DOG PULLS ON LEASH

The most common behavior that clients call for that they need and want fixed, is pulling on the leash. Wether it be just on daily walks or when they encounter distractions, other dogs, people or in highly stimulating environments. The cause is generally because we unintentionally cause the issue by kicking in Opposition Reflex. All dogs are instinctively born with opposition reflex, this is why when you put a buckle collar and leash on a puppy, they will pull back when you go forward and put up a fight, bucking bronco, alligator roll, etc. As the puppy gets older their natural gate, speed, gets faster due to they have four legs and you have two. If you pull back on the leash to get them to slow down and walk at your pace, they pull harder forward due to the opposition reflex. Achieving the opposite affect that you wanted. Especially around distractions that the dog is trying to go towards. This also will create barrier frustration when the dog is trying to move towards other dogs or people, causing the dog often to bark, lunge and sometime bite at the distraction. This can be easily fixed with proper tools like a slip lead, used as a communication tool, as opposed to a restraining tool. The use of a slip lead is a skill, but can easily be learned and used as a communication tool to have your dog have a more structured walk on the leash. Teaching your dog to walk at your speed, turn when you turn and stop when you stop. If we don’t teach it, how can we require it! Communication is required to teach something. Dogs are not verbal creatures like us, they are all physical and energy based. A structured walk is also mentally stimulating to the dog, because they have to pay more attention to you, maximizing the time you walk your dog. Mental stimulation is also physically draining to the dog. A 15 minute structured walk is equivalent to a 45 minute drag me through the neighborhood walk. With clear communication and consistency your dog will not pull on the leash or be reactive to other dogs or people, making it easier and more enjoyable to take with you anywhere and everywhere you go!

By: Deven Kelsey

Owner of DK9 Solutions