Ziggy has ahold of my heart! This handsome guy reminds me so fondly of my soul dog who I lost, Baloo. Spending time being able to help Ziggy (and his owner) learn to navigate the neighbourhood and new environments with his dog reactivity has been so rewarding for me. I know first hand how difficult and defeating it can be trying to help your reactive dog and am here to support, teach + lift up my clients in everyway I can. In this last week I have seen Zigs make huge strides in his journey. He is starting to build some confidence surrounding situations with dogs and learning NEW coping mechanisms that will work better to make him feel safe other then owoowoooooing at everything. (Don't get me wrong the singing ain't that bad.) He has a new block buddy to walk with in his neighborhood and we got together with my shepherd, Bagheera this week for them to have a run around, it went great! I will slowly be getting him together for parallel walks with new dogs and I see tons of progress in his future. A month or two ago when I started this journey with his owners through private lessons this would've seemed like a far in the future goal but I think everyone's mindset is changing for the better.
For those of you with a reactive dog, remember to keep your head up and give yourself and your dog some love and gratitude.
Life's too short to rush through it.
Believe it or not our dogs know a secret to two about happiness: Live in the present. Follow their example by taking a moment to slow down, breathe, and appreciate what you have.
What do respectful interactions look like?
Asking for a Dog's Permission! πΆπ€
In this heartwarming video featuring my client's adorable dog, Cosmo, we witness the power of building trust and establishing consent with our furry friends. When I first met Cosmo, he was hesitant and reserved, not wanting to get anywhere near me but through patience and positive interactions, he has blossomed into a loving and affectionate dog in our time together. You can see when I stop petting him, he leans in for more love and seems to really enjoy the butt scratches! We are still working towards more trust in new handlers and coping skills to help him with his stress levels around dogs and unfamiliar people although I wanted to share some progress!
It's crucial to remember that dogs, like humans, have personal boundaries and preferences. By asking for their permission before touching them, we show respect for their autonomy and well-being. Here are a few important tips to keep in mind:
1οΈβ£ Approach with Calmness: Dogs can be sensitive to sudden movements or loud noises. Approach them calmly, allowing them to observe and assess your presence at their own pace.
2οΈβ£ Use Non-Threatening Body Language: Dogs are experts at reading body language. Avoid making direct eye contact, crouching over them, or reaching out too quickly. Instead, maintain a relaxed posture and offer an open palm for them to sniff. (Let them come to you!)
3οΈβ£ Ask for Consent: Always ask the owner/handler first! Once you've established a calm connection, gently and verbally ask if it's okay to pet them. Use a soothing tone and observe their response. If they lean in, wag their tail, or show other signs of comfort, it's a green light to proceed. If they pull away, freeze, or show signs of stress, respect their boundaries and give them space.
4οΈβ£ Pay Attention to Signals: Dogs communicate through body language. Keep an eye out for signs of discomfort, such as lip licking, yawning, whale/sid
Cooling off at the lake β±πΎ
Look how gorgeous and bright this new long line is! Iβm obsessed β€οΈβπ₯
Almost 13 weeks old but that doesnβt stop her from carrying big dog sticks π
Iβm very impressed with this little one and it has been a very lovely experience watching her grow up, learn and observe the world around her.
#workinglinegsd #puppysocialization #playtime
itβs all about the chase!