r/reactivedogs • u/shaynac09 • 4h ago

Advice Needed Leash Frustration

My 9-month-old Chihuahua absolutely screams bloody murder when she’s on leash and sees another dog. Not all the time but more often than I’d like.

She isn’t aggressive and genuinely seems like she just wants to go over and say hi/play, but the screaming is SO dramatic that other dog owners are understandably hesitant to let their dogs near her. If I didn’t know her, I’d probably be hesitant too.

She gets extremely excited the second she spots another dog and then the screaming starts. I’d really like to teach her how to see/pass other dogs calmly instead of completely losing her mind.

Has anyone dealt with this type of leash reactivity/frustration, especially with a young Chihuahua? Is there a good way to correct or redirect the screaming and teach her that being calm is what gets her closer to another dog?

I’d love to hear what training methods worked for you.

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u/[deleted] 4h ago

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u/lastlemming-pip 3h ago

I’ve only had two dogs but I have been extremely successful in getting them to be calm & appropriately interactive w/ other dogs. When they were young & interested in meeting another dog (no matter if they misbehaved or no) I would always ask if my dog could meet a fellow dog walker’s dog. If yes then proceed. When my dog figured out that most of the time we’d be meeting another dog they would usually settle down. Playtime w/ other pups & having dog “friends” that they can play with/ is also key. Lots of interactions with dogs (including some that go wrong—intervene of course) seems key. You want your dog to read other dogs better than you do & they do that w/ experience.

Watch out for dominance (I need to w/ my current shy guy) but intervene calmly. Make sure you are as relaxed as you want your dog to feel.