Q. I know that dogs can become more aggressive when on leash because they’re not in control of their own movements; they might feel threatened when forced into situations during which they have to come face-to-face with other dogs because their natural inclination might be to approach another dog more cautiously — perhaps from the side, or not at all. But when we are at the park, my dog acts aggressively to other dogs on leash even when she herself is off leash and running free. Why is that?
Nestor McCallum
Chicago, Illinois
Dear Mr. McCallum,
A. Your dog is not alone. Some dogs exhibit what we call “leash rage” even when they are not the ones on leash because they’ve learned to associate leashes with encounters that are too up-close and personal. Or they have come upon one too many dogs who have acted in a threatening manner while on leash, and they generalize that threat to all dogs on leash and feel the need to threaten back. It’s not rational since a dog off leash is free to move away, but she may feel unnerved, anyway.
