09/12/2025
Training Tip! A little long but worth the read!
I am going to start offering little training tips or tads of info to help everyone learn about body language as I think it is SO important to be able to read your dog and learn the most subtle cues your dog gives off to enhance your relationship and prevent reactivity! If your dog is confident and trusts that you have his back-he won't feel the need to react!
I was at Tractor Supply with a 10 month old pup. He was doing fantastic and when we were in line a friend with a huge German Shepherd began to approach and say hi. The German Shepherd was quiet but had a confident energy and was very focused (staring) on my guy. My friend did ask to approach and I wasn't sure how this pup felt so I said yes but watched carefully. As they got closer my pup came back to me, sitting on my feet, as if he could not get any closer to me was leaning on my legs. He avoided eye contact with the German Shepherd. I knew he was feeling overwhelmed and immediately asked them to stop he was showing signs of discomfort and nervousness. He took the German Shepherd and walked several steps back and immediately my guy got off my legs and looked loose in his muscles and I could tell felt relieved. I then left the store, put my pup in the car, and went back to talk to my friend and say hi to his dog.
This is how you PREVENT reactivity! No pressure when they are uncomfortable-telling the other person to stop and explain your dog is not comfortable and that is OK! I was able to read his subtle signs and respect that he did not want to be approached. That was huge in building my pups confidence and teaching him I will protect him and not force him to meet any dog he does not want to. His signs were very subtle-he did not bark or growl he simply was sitting on my feet and looking away almost trying to go between my legs. I am very intune with my dogs and their body language and in this case it helped my guy become a more confident dog. This winter I will be doing a body language seminar so stay tuned for more info if you want to learn how to read and understand what dogs are trying to communicate and often unheard. Pic of Keeley an adult who is smiling NOT growling!