Is your dog reactive? Is it sometimes reactive? Will it at times try to self-regulate because something is about to trigger a reaction? Let’s remember that reactivity may not be the barking and lunging that we expect, it could be trying to run away, cowl down and make themselves smaller or even become submissive. Perhaps they have been injured in play and are pre-emptying another incident. My thoughts are, are we reading the signs our dogs are showing us? Or do we just accept that they can be reactive and nothing can be done? I have come to find that Leif does all the usual Lip smacking, almost tip toe, very alert signs, really focused on the oncoming dog. So I ensure that there is Leif’s comfortable distance between us and other dogs. We can then carry on, possibly walking behind the other dog, unless they are coming towards us. I do need to find enough space and at times Leif just watches and we continue our walk. How do you manage reactivity? Are you reading those tells before something happens and taking steps to support?

So what do you do when you are out walking and a complete strangers tells you what to do with your dog?🤔 I think it probably depends what they are saying and how they are saying it. Today, Leif wearing his ‘anxious’ raincoat, in the rain of course, we moved off the track to give a man and his off lead smallish dog space. His dog was admittedly very well behaved. Leif was watching his dog, became a little excited and barked. The man stopped and said you need to let him off lead, don’t put him on a lead because he is protecting you. I politely explained that he was hurt by a dog about 2 yrs ago and since then can be reactive.i said that people may not appreciate my dog running up to them off lead and possibly biting or nipping their dog. He again said let him off and walked off. I tried to call to him to suggest we walk together at the secure field but he ignored me. Now I do see his point but how many times have we been really annoyed at the owner who allows this? Has he taken Leif’s breed characteristics and history into account? No he most definitely has not and he has also not considered my abilities to chase after Leif over fields and rivers when he runs off especially as there is livestock in fields🤔I am going to search for this man on FB and call his bluff about the secure field.

My work buddies

I have just watched a programme recording the most switched on dog. She is a beagle and owners could not work out how she was getting food out of the table top oven! They hid a camera and recorded her pushing a dining chair over to the work surface so she could jump up on the chair, then the counter, then paw to open the pull down door and steal the chicken nuggets that had been cooking. Now that is some intelligent dog. How do your dogs demonstrate intelligence? Or lack of😂

I just wanted to say how absolutely great it is to connect with you all. We are from so many different places, have never met and we chat about our beloved dogs as though we are friends. I love this, we can connect and feel more like family, share those special moments with each other and feel supported when worried. We all understand the difficult times and are here for each other. Can I just say how much I enjoy and appreciate you all. Let’s add a gif or a photo to show where we are