Barking
Why does my dog bark and lunge at dogs on lead?
Last updated 23 September 2026 · How we write and check this
Short answer
Lunging on top of barking usually means the trigger is closer than your dog can comfortably handle, sometimes called being over threshold. Every dog has a distance at which it can still notice another dog and stay calm, and working systematically from that distance inward is more effective than repeatedly walking past close and hoping the dog adjusts.
Finding your dog's threshold distance
Walk your dog in an open space, such as a park field, and note the distance at which another dog first gets a reaction, whether that is a stiffened body, held breath, or an immediate bark. For many reactive dogs this starting point is around 10 dog lengths, though it varies considerably by individual.
Working the threshold systematically
At that safe distance, reward your dog generously for calm attention on you the moment it notices the other dog, then increase difficulty in small steps, perhaps 1 meter closer every few sessions, only when your dog stays relaxed at the current distance for several repetitions in a row.
Managing real walks while you train
Until the training progresses, crossing the street, using parked cars as a visual block, or simply turning and walking the other way when you see another dog approaching are not failures, they prevent your dog rehearsing the lunging pattern and losing ground you have already built.
Key takeaways
- Lunging alongside barking usually means the other dog is closer than your dog can currently handle.
- Finding your dog's exact threshold distance, often around 10 dog lengths to start, focuses training effort.
- Small, gradual increases in difficulty work better than repeated close exposure.
- Using distance or a visual block during real walks protects progress rather than undoing it.