My dog chases other dogs

You're not alone — and it’s okay to feel frustrated

Watching your dog lunge, bolt, or fixate on other dogs can be exhausting and embarrassing. Many owners feel anxious about safety, worried about judgement from others, or find themselves avoiding walks and meetups. Those feelings are valid — this is a stressful situation for both you and your dog, but with the right approach you can make meaningful, lasting change.

Why my dog might be chasing other dogs

What looks like “chasing” can come from many different causes. Understanding the likely drivers helps us choose the right training plan rather than applying one-size-fits-all advice.

• Excitement or arousal: Some dogs chase because they become highly aroused and have trouble calming down around other dogs.
• Fear or anxiety: Chasing can be an attempt to escape or a reactive response when a dog perceives another dog as a threat.
• Frustration and barrier reactivity: Being on-lead or behind a fence can create built-up frustration that comes out as chasing.
• Lack of alternatives or skills: If a dog doesn’t know how to look to you, settle, or move away calmly, chasing becomes an easy default behaviour.
• Prey drive or strong play drive: For some dogs, other dogs trigger a high chase drive that resembles prey-chasing or intense play pursuit.

Simple, practical steps I can try at home

These are safe, easy strategies you can start today to reduce the frequency and intensity of chasing. They won’t fix every case, but they create a foundation for calmer, more controlled walks.

• Manage distance and thresholds: Identify the distance where your dog notices other dogs but doesn’t react. Work at that distance—reward calm attention with high-value treats and gradually decrease the distance as your dog stays comfortable. This is called threshold work and it builds predictable success.
• Build a reliable focus cue: Practice a short game that teaches your dog to look at you on cue. Start at home with high-value treats: say your dog’s name, reward the look, and repeat in short sessions. Transfer the game outdoors by rewarding any glance toward you around mild distractions, then slowly increase difficulty.
• Use management tools wisely: A secure harness or front-clip lead, and a long line for controlled freedom, help you manage distance safely while you train. Preventing uncontrolled encounters removes reinforcement for chasing and keeps everyone safe while you teach new behaviours.

When home strategies aren’t enough

If your dog lunges with intensity, regularly escapes handlers, shows fear aggression, or if progress stalls despite consistent work, it’s time for professional help. Chasing can escalate into dangerous situations quickly; an expert assessment keeps training focused and safe.

How Empire Dogs in Fontwell can help

At Empire Dogs, Sebastian (Seb) offers calm, practical, and results-focused behaviour solutions. Seb specialises in reactivity, lead walking, obedience in real-world environments, and tailored behaviour modification plans. We combine compassionate handling with clear, measurable training steps so you and your dog see real progress.

Our approach is personalised: we observe your dog in the environment where the problem occurs, identify underlying triggers, and build a step-by-step plan that suits your lifestyle. We use force-free methods alongside effective management and, where appropriate, advanced tools such as e-collar training for reliable recall and safety under professional guidance.

What you get with a professional assessment

Our 1-hour assessment (priced at £50) is designed to quickly identify the key drivers of the chasing behaviour and give you a practical route forward. During the assessment Seb will:

• Take a detailed history of your dog's behaviour and your goals
• Observe your dog on lead and in real-world scenarios where safe
• Run simple exercises to gauge thresholds, focus, and recall
• Provide a clear, tailored plan with homework you can start immediately
• Answer your questions and explain why we recommend each step

Empire Dogs guarantees results because we base our plans on assessment-led behaviour science and practical, repeatable exercises. We provide ongoing support and adjust training as your dog progresses.

What success looks like

Success isn’t a perfect dog; it’s safer, calmer walks, predictable responses around other dogs, and more confident handling. Over weeks and months you’ll see fewer intense reactions, quicker recovery when your dog notices another dog, and the ability to enjoy more of your normal routine again.

Ready to get calmer, safer walks?

If your dog chases other dogs and you want a clear, compassionate plan that really works, book a 1-hour assessment with Seb at Empire Dogs in Fontwell. We’ll listen without judgement, give you practical tools to start straight away, and build a tailored programme to get lasting results.

Contact us to book your assessment and take the first step toward more confident, enjoyable walks with your dog.