.. And our mental state affects our dog’s!
I come across a lot of people with reactive or anxious dogs, who are anxious and reactive themselves.
Sometimes the dog’s anxiety has affected them.
And sometimes it’s the other way round, and their anxiety has pushed their dog over the edge.
And this is why I see working with reactive dogs as a holistic exercise.
It’s not a question of giving you techniques and strategies to change your dog. Seeing it as entirely the dog’s “fault” is very short-sighted.
Our dog’s behaviour, as Susan Garrett says, is a reflection of our training.
And if that training comes from a place of angst and fear - thinking that the dog is in some way out of control or unreachable - or through the anxieties of the owner, it’s not going to be a great reflection!
Dog Training or Dog Coaching?
The reason my From Growly Dog to Confident Dog program works so well, is that it addresses the needs of both the dog and the owner.
You can’t treat the dog without treating the owner!
You are a pair. You are a team. You can’t pluck one out and ignore the other. This is one of many reasons why sending the dog away for training DOES NOT WORK!
I have gone from using 'blame transference', feeling embarrassed, ashamed, guilty and anxious to feeling confidence and calmness which has positively transferred to my dogs. PW
My dog has had a great breakthrough he's growing in confidence and so am I thanks for all your help KW
In my work as a coach, I draw people out and thereby enable them to make their own choices. (There are some techniques thrown in there too!
And this is how I like to work with dogs - whether reactive or not - by offering them choices and letting them choose a path which makes them feel comfortable.
This way the dog’s confidence builds up over time, till what used to frighten or alarm them no longer does.
And at the same time, the owner’s fears and needs are addressed and their confidence builds too!
💥 Win-win!! 🎉
I really cannot thank you enough, as I now know that I have the confidence to teach him and he has the confidence to learn from me. Instead of being in despair, I feel that we now compliment each other. PG
It's made such a difference and it's certainly been a confidence-booster for me! I no longer dread taking him out for a walk. Thank you. LM
Just a brilliant course that gives you confidence and takes away a lot of the guilt feelings that you have an unhappy stressed dog. LR
Confidence-building for dog and owner
So if you’d like to find a way to improve life with your anxious dog, even if you struggle with fear and worry yourself - take a look at our free Masterclass, which shows you the The 3 Biggest Mistakes Growly Dog owners make - and what to do instead!
Just a quick note to let you know I'm loving your advice and guidance. You are giving me the confidence to let her be herself and she is blossoming at 8 years old! HR
I'm finding myself growing in confidence after our rough start. DW
Our walks have become more pleasurable now, and our confidence is growing each day. MF