06/17/2025
Moe the Doodle is a special case. He has a lot of fear aggression. He is fearful of strangers and reacts when he feels uncertain. A lot of my clients come to me wanting to know the “why” behind their dog’s behaviors and Moe’s people are no different. The thing is… we will probably never know exactly why. But what I do know is that fearful dogs have developed a strategy to protect themselves. When they give every signal to people that they are afraid, and people don’t respect those boundaries, they take matters into their own hands. Something made Moe, before he came to his new home, decide that it was better to strike first. The beautiful news is that his people are committed to showing him that he is safe, protected, and loved.
The treatment plan for Moe, and all fearful aggressive dogs, is this… correct the fearful reaction and reward the quiet, calm, attention. This isn’t a quick fix. But with time, patience, and love, it’s completely doable.
Another note is this… muzzles are NOT a punishment. Muzzles are a tool to protect both dog and people. A tool to give aggressive dogs a second chance at living a balanced life. Moe, like all dogs, is seeking that balance. Moe’s people truly love him and want that balance for him too.
If you’re interested in helping a highly reactive dog in your life, reach out to me. I can help with that…