Training Your Dog to Not Be Aggressive with Other Dogs Starts Here

Meet Apollo: The Dog Who Taught Me This Trick Apollo was my first Doberman. He was severely dog-aggressive, both on […]

Apollo the doberman and a boxer named Merlin are laying down next to a garden. the dogs are wearing blue and black backpacks and the doberman is also wearing a muzzle

aggressive dog, All about dogs, body language, communication, dog anxiety, dog behaviour, dog socialization, dog training, dog training classes, leash training, reactive dog, responsible dog owner

Meet Apollo: The Dog Who Taught Me This Trick

Apollo was my first Doberman. He was severely dog-aggressive, both on and off leash. But one day, I watched him do something that made me rethink everything I knew about reactive dog training.

We were nearly home when a small white dog appeared about 150 feet ahead. Apollo didn’t lunge. He didn’t bark. Instead, he sat directly in front of me, squared off with the dog, and tracked its every move by slightly adjusting his body.

Left? He turned left.
Right? He turned right.
He didn’t get up until the dog disappeared.

It clicked.

The next time we saw off-leash dogs, I copied him. I shortened his leash, stepped in front, and squared off with the other dogs.

He focused on me. Not them.
And for the first time ever… he didn’t react.

Apollo was a great dog, but he had serious issues when it came to seeing other dogs on walks.

How to Use This Strategy With Your Own Dog

This method builds confidence and protection without harsh corrections. It’s all about body blocking and strategic leash pressure.

Here’s how to do it:

☞ Shorten your leash so there’s slight upward pressure on your dog’s collar.
☞ Place your leash hand behind your back, right above your tailbone. Not off to the side. Not slack.
☞ Stay squared off with the other dog. If it moves, you pivot on the spot to keep your chest facing it. Your dog will follow your shift.

This position prevents your dog from darting around you and keeps the leash steady from your center of gravity – not your wrist or belly.

What to Remember:

✓ Confidence is everything. Your dog feels what you feel.
✓ NO slack. Keep leash pressure firm and steady.
✓ Don’t try this if your dog redirects aggression (bites the leash or you). Book a pro first.
✓ Stay calm. No yelling. No frantic movements.
✓ This works even if the other dog is off leash. (Yes, really.)
✓ Your dog may still react. That’s fine. The point isn’t perfection – it’s building trust. Repetition will do the rest.

You’re showing your dog: “I’ve got this. You don’t have to worry.”

And that’s the core of aggressive dog training done right.

Need More Help?

I break this strategy down even further inside my Aggression Management Kit →
☞ Get the Kit

Or book a Behavior Clarity Call if your dog’s reactivity has taken over your life →
☞ Book a Call

Looking for more “how-to” tips that actually work?
Drop your questions in the comments or check out the other posts on my blog.

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