Reward Your Dog Training

02/18/2025

You watched a YouTube video last night.

The trainer in this video told you that you caused your dog to be reactive.

Because you don’t show her who’s boss.

👿 You let her jump up on you.

👿 She sometimes goes through doors before you do.

👿 She lies on the sofa next to you at night while you’re watching TV.

👿 And yes, she does bark at other dogs on walks.

They say it’s because she doesn’t respect you as her alpha.

Because you’re too soft.

You feel terrible when you hear that you caused her barking, growling and lunging.

So much guilt.

What if I told you that you can stop carrying this unnecessary burden RIGHT NOW?

Say it with me:

“I didn’t cause my dog’s reactivity.”

What really causes dog reactivity?

A lot of different factors, and almost all of them are out of your control:

Genetics, maternal stress, early socialization, temperament, health, experiences…

But you know what doesn’t cause reactivity?

❌ Not being “alpha”. ❌

The idea that you need to be the boss, the “alpha” is an outdated approach to dog training.

It’s based on a study on wolves - which has since been debunked.

So let your dog jump on you (if you like that).

Let her walk through the door ahead of you (if that’s safe).

Enjoy sofa time together (if that’s your jam).

You can still teach her how to navigate those other dogs on walks - without fear, pain, or intimidation.

And you will do a better job because you’re so attuned to her needs.

Your softness is your strength. 💪

Have you every felt guilty about being too permissive? Share your story in the comments.

02/13/2025

Those off leash hikes at Sniffspots, nose work games in your living room, toy play in your yard and snuggle sessions on the sofa are IMPORTANT. Here's why...

02/08/2025

You so often feel deeply guilty about your dog’s out of control behavior.

And you feel this driving *need* to do *more*.

You feel like you should work harder, spending every moment meeting your dog’s needs.

Learning everything there is to know about dog behavior.

You feel at a loss, and - what’s worse:

You are on your way to burning yourself out.

I want you to consider this:

YOU also deserve quality of life.

You, right now, are enough.

And you are doing enough on your quest to allow your dog to have the best life she can.

Could you tweak things?

Sure.

I’m here to help you troubleshoot and simplify whenever you’re ready.

But right here, right now, just take a breath in.

And breathe out.

And say to yourself: you are enough.

02/05/2025

Here’s the thing: That stuff ain’t easy.

Especially when you’re out there on your own.

Of course you love your dog. ♥️

You *really* want to help your dog overcome her out of control behavior when you’re walking her on a leash.

💪 And you’re a badass dog parent: You’ve read tons of posts and watched many videos.

But you don’t yet have a clear plan on how to proceed.

And even if you do… actually putting in the work can be difficult.

That’s exactly why you need a coach.

Someone who can help you

⭐ understand the big picture
⭐ create a sustainable plan
⭐ support you in doing the work

I have helped a lot of people whose dogs had the exact same issues as yours overcome reactive behavior and achieved:

⭐ a clear understanding of why reactivity happens and how to overcome it
⭐ less stressful, more relaxing walks
⭐ a better relationship with their dog

Are you ready to claim those things for yourself as well?

Because it IS possible - for you and your dog.

Get in touch by sending me a DM or commenting here and tell me what you’re struggling with - and what you’re hoping to change.

02/03/2025

You’re feeling alone with your barky, lunging, pulling, out of control dog on walks.

And you’ve tried to make things better and more peaceful for both of you.

📖 You’ve read lots of social media posts.

Some of what you’re reading makes sense… but you’re not sure how to apply it to your specific situation.

❓You’ve tried several different strategies.

Some of them have kind of worked… but you’re not sure if things are really changing or if you’re just avoiding the things that trigger your dog now.

😶‍🌫️ You’ve done your best to be consistent with the work.

Some days you’re doing well… but other days it’s really hard to feel motivated.

What you’re feeling is completely normal.

And still… frustrating.

But the thing is:

You do not have to do this all by yourself.

What you need is a coach.

Some who…

🍀 teaches you how to overcome your dog’s leash reactivity

🍀 can guide you when you’re not sure you’re on the right path

🍀 cheers you on when you’re getting closer to your triggers

🍀 helps you troubleshoot when your dog had another reactive outburst

🍀 keeps you going when you’re losing motivation to do the deep work

Coaching is a suuuuper effective way to provide structure, accountability and motivation.

And that’s why I’ve created a small group leash reactivity coaching program JUST FOR YOU.

Stay tuned to learn more… SOON!

01/31/2025

Having a dog with out of control behavior can be super lonely. 😪

Especially if you’re choosing kind, positive methods.

When your dog barks, lunges, growls, snaps, or even bites… others don’t get it.

They might even suggest putting a prong, shock or choke collar on your dog to teach him to submit to you.

They say you need to be more alpha.

But that feels wrong…

…and you feel even more lonely.

I want you to know:

I see you.

And I’m here for you.

You’re not alone.

What have you been struggling with lately? I’d love to hear about your challenges and offer you some empathy.

01/27/2025

🦄There are so many myths about dogs who bark, lunge, growl, pull or do backflips on leash when they see another dog, a human, a bike, a skateboard... 🦮

I've collected a few here.

Are there facts about leash reactivity that you're questioning?
Or would you like to debunk a few more common myths?

Hit up the comments! 👇

01/26/2025

Hi, hey, hello! I wanted to do a quick re-introduction in case you didn't know me yet. It's good to meet you. Thanks for being here. ❤️

01/21/2025

❤️‍🔥I see the radical compassion you bring to your relationship with your dog.❤️‍🔥

It might seem like a small thing on a day like today.

But the way you show up in the world matters.

Even when things are dark.

*Especially* when things are dark.

The empathy and kindness you’re giving your dog isn’t soft.

You’re not being a pushover.

You’re a powerful force for good in the world.

The ripples of your actions change the fabric of the universe.

And the universe needs people like you right now.

Keep on loving. 🖤
Keep on fighting. ⚔️
Keep showing up for your dog. 🐕‍🦺

01/20/2025

You’re so conflicted.

You *want* to go on a walk with your dog - because you know she likes it… and sometimes you like walking her too.

BUT.

You’re also scared of taking her on a walk. 😓

Because she lunges at dogs. And you don’t know what she’d do if you dropped the leash by accident.

Because she won’t listen when other dogs are near. Instead, she barks and growls and looks super aggressive.

And worst of all?

Because YOU don’t know what to do. 😭

And it sucks to feel so helpless.

What if I told you that you actually can be better equipped with effective strategies that give you and her something *to do* when another dog appears?

On the edge of your seat?

Watch this space in the next few days. 👀

I’ve got a free resource coming at ya … and I *can’t wait* to help you have better walks with your dog. 💪

01/18/2025

This one goes out to you, amazing reactive dog parent.

🦸You keep your dog safe in this chaotic world - even when he struggles.

🦸You see him as an individual with needs and feelings - even when it’s hard to meet them.

🦸You love him unconditionally - even when things get tough.

The world can sometimes be cruel to your kindness.

People say that you need to be more strict. You need to tell him who’s boss. You need to make him listen.

But I’m here to tell you:

Letting your dog tell you what he can and can’t handle paves the way to his healing.

Asking him if he’s feeling safe makes it possible for his nervous system to regulate.

Being on his team makes you a trusted partner.

So let them talk.

You *know* that your softness is your ultimate strength. 💪

Leave a like or share if this resonated with you. 👇

01/15/2025

01/08/2025

Hot take: Your dog probably isn’t being “aggressive” when she barks & lunges at dogs on the leash 🤯

You’re terrified that your dog is a danger to society with this out of control behavior…

…which is usually mistaken as aggression–but there’s so much more beneath the surface.

Could she really be dog aggressive?

Yes. BUT.

It’s pretty rare for a dog to be outright aggressive to *all* other dogs.

Here are the two reasons your dog is probably behaving in this annoying (and, let’s be real, incredibly embarrassing) way.

🐕‍🦺 She’s excited about other dogs.
She barks and lunges because she wants to get to them. But the leash stops her, so she feels frustrated because she can’t be the social butterfly she is. For her, that leads to frustration about being held back. The underlying emotion for this behavior is excitement mixed with frustration- not aggression.

🐕‍🦺 She’s scared of other dogs.
Because she is on a leash, she has no escape. She barks and lunges to scare other dogs away to protect herself. Her barking is not aggression, but a desperate plea for more distance from the scary dog. The underlying emotion for this behavior is fear.

Fortunately, you don’t have to feel completely out of control, on edge, and hypervigilant forever.

There are proven processes to help your dog feel safe on walks–so you can finally have the relaxing, connected walks you’ve been dreaming of.

Even if your dog IS aggressive towards other dogs?

This kind of training will help her heal, too.

Tell me in the comments what YOU and your dog are struggling with on walks. I’d love to connect with you there.
ً

01/08/2025

Walks ARE hard for you and your dog right now.

Every time you see one of her triggers - bikes, dogs, skateboards… - you brace yourself for a barking and lunging fit.

But you don’t feel good about not walking your dog either.

😟 You feel guilty that you’re not meeting her needs.

😟 She’s becoming a nuisance in the house without the exercise.

So- how CAN you exercise your reactive dog?

You may have to change some things to make walks better for her - and for you.

✅ De-Stressing Walks

If you think that walks have a place in your and her life, try one of the following hacks:

⭐ Walk her in quieter areas where fewer of her triggers are
⭐ Walk at times of day when you are less likely to see her triggers
⭐ Drive to a different neighborhood where she hasn’t practiced her reactivity a whole lot yet
⭐ Walk her in a quiet park

❌Switching Out Walks

The purpose of walks is to enrich your dog’s life and add something good into her life.

If your dog is scared of other dogs, people, bikes, etc. on walks, she feels significant stress each time you see one of these triggers. At this point, the stress may outweigh the benefits of the walks.

If your dog has multiple triggers and is set off more than 2 or 3 times on each walk, she’s practicing being reactive so much that it will be hard to teach her a different response than barking and lunging.

If you are very stressed on walks, then it’s also time to make a change. You deserve to feel relaxed and happy. If you are hypervigilant, worried and on edge on walks, walks are not serving you either.

If you think that you’re better off without walks, you can still give your dog exercise.

⭐ Rent a Sniffspot for some off leash fun
⭐ Check out a local business park after hours or a church parking lot on a long line
⭐ Go to a fenced dog park after hours when nobody is there
⭐ Explore the joys of toy play

Giving up or changing your walks doesn’t have to mean missing out on life.

But making some changes to your routine can help you lay the groundwork for successful reactivity reduction training.

What are you doing to mitigate your dog's triggers? Share below! ⬇️

01/08/2025

Helping your dog heal from leash reactivity is hard.

Not just for your dog - but also for you.

Because every time he explodes on leash, barking, lunging and pulling for one of his triggers, your nervous system gets triggered too.

And those frequent stressors add up. 😟

So - the thought of finally tackling his reactivity sounds kind of scary and stressful - even if you really want to have more peaceful walks.

But there ARE many good reasons why you and your dog deserve to heal from his reactivity - together!


⭐ Peace of Mind

You’ve been working hard to manage your dog’s world - but you know that management can fail. And you’ve been watching over your shoulder for triggers when you do take your dog out. What if you… didn’t have to? What if you could trust that you and your dog have the necessary skills to navigate the world together?

Reactivity Reduction Training can give you the peace of mind you deserve out on walks with your dog - the peace of mind that he can pass by his former triggers and just be a dog.

⭐ Strong Relationship

Living with - and walking - a reactive dog can cause stress between you two. And that can put a wedge between you and your dog. As you and he work together to overcome his out of control on leash behavior, you will grow together as a team. You will develop trust and confidence in each other, and that will give you both the confidence you need to take on those triggers.

⭐ Bigger World

Because of his reactivity, you need to keep your dog’s world smaller than it could be right. And that is sad and frustrating. What if you could take walks on sunny days, in busier neighborhoods or on urban trails? Unlocking your dog’s potential with reactivity reduction training will allow you to open up your dog’s world more.
And that means more adventure and fun - for both of you!

Why are you hoping to heal your dog’s reactivity? Share in the comments 🔽!

12/27/2024

How is 2024 almost over? I sure learns lot this year, and a lot was about dogs. Give this episode a listen and let me know what YOU learned.

Podcast Episode · Reward Your Dog Podcast · 12/26/2024 · 43m

12/24/2024

You’re out on a walk with your dog, and suddenly… and it happens. *ominous music*

Your dog begins barking, lunging and pulling on the leash. You’re struggling to hold on to her.

Then you realize: It’s a squirrel.

And it’s too late now. Things are about to get real… messy.

You try to contain your out of control dog by pulling her forward so you can get past squirrel central.

But it feels unmanageable. And for a moment your heart stops. 😱

What if you drop the leash?

… She could run into traffic.

… You might not be able to find her or call her back.

… Neighbors will see you and judge how you handle her.

Or, you’ll hang on–but the rest of your walk is chaotic and filled with anxiety.

What if there *was* another way to handle this situation?

There is!

🪷Here are 3 Steps to a Calm, Controlled Walk:

🎧 Presence & Connection
Walks can be a relaxed, connected experience–when you’re in the moment with your dog.

Leave your headphones at home, and take this time to focus on her and her needs. When you are not distracted by other things, you can more easily pay attention to her and the environment. And that means you can catch reactive outbursts before they start, using the next two tips:

🐕‍ Body Language Awareness
Her body tells you how she feels. Barking and lunging is her way of telling you that she is feeling overexcited or anxious at this moment.

But if you look closely…
You will see many signals in her body language before the barking and lunging happens. She might perk up her ears, begin sniffing the air, or lift her head. If you learn what she looks like before she lunges, you can help her as soon as things begin to escalate with THIS strategy:

🦴 Positive Interruptor
Use treats proactively to distract your dog before she begins barking and lunging at her squirrel friend.

Give your dog a treat to chase instead of a squirrel!

This strategy is called “trigger mitigation”. Trigger mitigation will prevent her from having big outbursts - win-win for both of you.

I am here to help you have chill, happy walks.

What questions do you have about trigger mitigation? Ask in the comments, I am happy to answer.

12/24/2024