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? ​

It gives her the freedom of space. Parents pro-actively tell their kids to give her space when walking by. People keep their dogs closer when they see the muzzle. People ask. They get education. They don't assume. ​They don't yell from 50 ft away, "don't worry, she's friendly!" but if they do, I know I have more physical control.

PAUSE. Let me just take a moment here to let you know that Willow was muzzle trained. She was taught that the muzzle is essentially a treat dispenser attached to her face. It's not a cage. The only thing it restricts is her being able to chase and grab a toy in her mouth. If you are willing to consider muzzle training your dog, please check out the MuzzleUpProject. I will have some resources for you in the future but that is an incredible organization that has you covered!

Ok, that said, let me continue. That particular walk pictured, we saw multiple kids, horses up close, a woman who was headed over to see her but then stopped and asked about her muzzle. She still asked if she could say hi, to which I said no because her arousal level was high after seeing the horses and kids. She very respectfully understood and it was a great chance for me to educate. She then saw about 8-10 dogs, one unleashed but old and under control. And we had an incredible experience in our walk. When I pulled into the very full parking lot, I will admit I almost turned around. Often times, I am my own worst student. But I was so happy we did it. So why did I write this post today? 

Because yesterday, we tried our very first dog competition. We went dock diving. That one walk gave me the confidence to know that we could try it. At a fair, with about 40 dogs, hundreds and hundreds of people. Was she perfectly behaved and non reactive? Absolutely not. But she still rocked the day. Muzzle free because the main rule of the Dock Dogs organization is that dogs need to be leashed. You know what she struggled with? The idea that other dogs were jumping in the pool to grab the toys and she wanted them all.
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And guess what? 
​Brag moment:

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I hope this post inspires you to do more with your dog!