Expert: Suzanne Harris BSc CPDT - 10/11/2008

Question
My 7 month old male English bulldog is a friendly sweet dog until we try to put a harness and lead on him. He then snaps and becomes so aggresssive that we can't continue. He has never liked his lead but allowed us to put in on and go for a walk. He only started the agressive behaviour yesterday. I tried again this morning and same thing, he growls, snaps and then tried to bite me.  How can i change this behaviour without getting myself bitten?

Answer
Dear Sue,

Make sure the harness isn't causing him any pain.  He is growing at this age and you may very well need to loosen the various straps or go out and get a larger size.  You also need to objectively scrutinize your own walking technique.  Are you (or someone else) jerking him or choking him on walks?  Walks and harnesses should be pain free.  Once pain is ruled out, gradually create a positive association with the lead/harness.   

Every hour or half hour, approach him with the harness in one hand and a bunch of his favorite treats in the other.  Use pea-sized pieces of hot dog or other cold cut for best effect.  Simply hold the harness 2 feet from him while giving him several treats and praising.  1/2 hour later, do the same thing holding the harness 1.5 feet away from him.  1/2 hour later 1 foot.  1/2 hour later 1/2 foot away.  If he is not responding by eating the treats, increase the distance between him and the harness for a few trials.  Gradually get him comfortable with decreased distances.

I'd have the leash attached to the harness already if you can.  If you can't, then do some gradual work with the leash as well.  As you get closer to him with the harness, do 3-4 trials with the harness actually touching him.  Remember you must be feeding him treats and praising him the entire time he is near or touching the harness.  Start putting a few treats on the floor for him to eat during the latter trials, so he gets used to this position.  

At this point you should be able to get the harness on him, all the while treating and praising.  His reaction started so seemingly suddenly, and he's still young enough that you should be good to go in a day or two.

I'd recommend treating and praising him every time you put his leash and harness on him for at least 2 weeks to keep this ingrained, and then occasionally thereafter.

Thanks for writing and good luck!
Suzanne Harris, BSc, CPDT
http://www.dogdaysUSA.com