My own reactive dog

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All Behavior Competition Dock Dogs Dog Dog Training Kids Kids And Dogs Management Muzzle

The trainer's dog. What's your expectation? Good manners. A perfect stay, a rock solid recall, a happy-go-lucky, well-socialized, perfect advocate for my training skills and services?

Let me introduce you to my dog. Meet Willow.
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Willow is my dog-reactive, kid-reactive, work-boot reactive, cat chasing, wild girl. Does that mean she's aggressive? No. It means she gets emotional in those circumstances. It means she has some trouble controlling her arousal level when triggered by the above. 

So why is she wearing a muzzle?
Because I can't trust others to have their dogs always under control. Because I wanted to take her for a walk, safely, in an area that sometimes has a reputation for dogs on the loose, despite all the signs that tell you to leash your dog. Because she fought with my other dog in the past, to the point of injury. Because she doesn't always make safe choices. But most of all, because it GIVES HER FREEDOM. Yes, her muzzle offers her freedom. It gives me confidence in knowing that she won't be able to make a impulsive poor choice and injure anyone with her teeth, so I'm much more willing to take her out and about. 
​Do you know what other freedom it gives her? ​

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