What's the Leash Really For?
Briefly

The article discusses the complexity surrounding leashes in dog ownership, presenting them as instruments that can either nurture or limit canine autonomy. With leash laws emerging in the 1960s, dogs have been confined to human-set paths, altering their natural behaviors and interactions. The author argues that leash reactivity often arises from these constraints, and advocates for more ethical and thoughtful leash use that emphasizes connection, shared experiences, and respects the natural instincts of dogs, encouraging a deeper understanding of their needs during walks.
Leashes often frustrate natural dog behavior, limiting their autonomy and enhancing stress. This can lead to issues such as leash reactivity, reflecting deeper problems.
As much as a collar and leash serve to control dogs, they can also rob them of freedom and the ability to explore, socialize, and express instinctual behaviors.
Read at Psychology Today
[
|
]