All of the dogs in the class were reactive to other dogs. That’s the polite way to say these dogs really did not care for other dogs, usually due to fear, frustration or true dislike. The dogs are not people reactive, other dogs are the issue. It is one of those classes people cannot get into unless they have tried other classes, been through consultations with several trainers and they are at their wit’s end about what to do with their dog’s behavior.
We are there to teach these people how to work with their dogs. This is not a class for the wimpy owner. This is group therapy for the people and a safe place for the dogs. This is a class where people do not let their dogs wander off, always know what’s at the end of the leash and keep their distance from other dogs.
For 12 weeks I watched the owners take their dogs through exercises aimed at getting their dogs to ignore other dogs. The owners were shown how to watch the environment for problems and anticipate how to distract their dogs. Suffice to say it was wonderful to see the change in the people’s confidence and the dogs becoming calmer.
But the dogs are not cured and they never will be. But it is likely that most of the dogs will live long, fulfilling lives because their owners know their dogs and hold no illusions that most other dog owners have.
These hard-working dog owners say if they can just avoid the “My dog is friendly!” group, then things will be okay. You know them. They blithely let their dog come up to any and every dog saying “My dog is friendly” and therefore assume all dogs are too. If your dog is not friendly, then there is something wrong with you, the person.
You can spot the savvy difficult dog owner; they cross the street with little fanfare to avoid oncoming dogs and they are also the ones dipping behind a tree to have their dog find something on the ground. No they didn’t lose something, they are occupying their dog’s focus. They may also be the people who walk their dogs at odd hours.
These folks with difficult dogs have the right to be out there walking their dogs too. Give them space.
On behalf of these people, and many more who love their dogs no less and will not give up them, give them space.
