By Prateek Kashyap, dog trainer and behaviourist. I have been working with dogs since 2006.
A dog starts barking or lunging as soon as another dog appears, and the walk suddenly feels difficult. It is tempting to call this “dominance” or assume the dog simply wants to say hello. The behaviour alone does not tell us the whole story. Fear, frustration, excitement and other factors can look similar from the outside.
The first job is to make the walk manageable and safe. You do not need to bring the dogs closer to find out what happens.
Give your dog more space
Notice where your dog is when they first spot another dog. That distance is useful information. If they can still look at you, sniff the ground or take a reward, you may have room to work. If they are already barking, pulling hard or unable to respond, calmly increase the distance.
Cross the road, turn into a quieter lane or use a parked car or wall as a visual break if it is safe. Try walks at less busy times for now. Avoid tight greetings in lifts, narrow corridors and crowded society paths. Your dog does not have to meet every dog they pass.
Watch the moment before the reaction
Make a simple note after each walk: where the other dog was, how far away they were, whether they were moving towards you, and what helped your dog settle. Patterns often become clearer when you look at the moments before the barking rather than only the loud part.
At a distance your dog can handle, reward a brief look at the other dog, then reward them for turning back to you or moving away with you. Keep it easy and end the practice before your dog is overwhelmed. If the reaction starts, do not keep asking for a sit in the middle of the situation. Focus on creating space and getting to a calmer place.
Skip forced greetings and corrections
Pulling your dog into a close greeting or scolding them for reacting can make the situation more stressful. It also does not teach them what to do when another dog appears. The American Veterinary Society of Animal Behavior recommends reward-based methods for training and behaviour concerns.
Use secure walking equipment and do not put yourself, your dog or another person in a situation you cannot safely manage. If your dog has bitten, redirected onto a person, or is too strong to handle safely, seek individual professional support before trying closer exposure. If this behaviour has appeared suddenly or changed sharply, speak with your veterinarian as well; discomfort or health changes may be relevant.
Reactivity is not a one-size-fits-all problem, so a realistic plan begins with the dog, the trigger and the environment. I offer in-home behaviour consultations in Gurgaon sectors 75–110 and online sessions across India. Contact Prateek Kashyap on WhatsApp: 9650671501.
Further reading: VCA Animal Hospitals on gradual desensitisation and counterconditioning.