Little Bear posing next to the chalk art rainbows that kids have been drawing around the neighbourhood
While walking Bear yesterday at our local park, it dawned on me that we’ve been social distancing for years.
When you have a reactive dog, you quickly learn about distances. Keeping your dog(s) sub-threshold usually means keeping enough space between them and whatever scares them (with our two, it’s other dogs) to ensure they feel safe.
After close to a decade of training, we’ve shrunk the distance down from the width of a football pitch to around four metres. With that much space, a little encouragement and the promise of a biscuit, they’ll usually walk past without kicking off. Much closer and they’re likely, even aged twelve and thirteen, to have a mini-meltdown of barking and lunging.
I need space
While things have improved over the years, in part thanks to the excellent, ‘Yellow Dog’campaign of wearables and education, there are still those who don’t seem to get why you might need a little extra space. Bear has an ‘I need space’ lead wrap and for a long time, I even wore a fluorescent bib on walks emblazoned on both sides with ‘Reactive dog in training, please give us space,’ but even that wasn’t fool-proof.
Some people just don’t seem to accept the fact that not all dogs are as placid and calm as theirs. Others I’m sure are driven by the mistaken belief that their superior dog-handling skills could solve the problem in two minutes flat if only you’d hand over the lead.
I’m used to the odd looks we get as we detour through shrubbery, turn tail and retrace our steps on narrow paths and generally deploy the raft of avoidance techniques we’ve had more than a decade to perfect. Not everyone is kind and I’ve also had more than my fair share of abuse over the years from clueless dog owners who’ve allowed their off-lead dogs to corner my on-lead ones.
So I was tickled yesterday when, doing what we always do, people waved, gave us the thumbs up and said thanks for giving them space. Perspective is a curious thing, isn’t it?
Stay safe and well everyone. xx
The Little Bear Dog Blog 
Not always ‘Fool’ proof – and there’s the reason. 🙂
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Indeed!
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Ah I was so pleased to read your blog. I have
two reactive dogs , one schnauzer ,one cocker poo. I too dream of a quiet walk especially when other dog owners pass by telling their dogs how good they are ( in comparison to my barking hounds )
I can’t say I enjoy walking them twice a day but I am content knowing their needs are met and that at home we are all very happy together
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Thank you so much for reading the blog and commenting 🙂 Having reactive dogs is no picnic is it? I think one of my most-read posts was ‘Hands up who’s cried on a walk’ for that exact reason. It can be a lonely old business, especially if other people are judgemental. We might never be able to change the world outside for them, but at least we can make sure that they’re happy and content at home. x
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I have an older mini who has become more fear reactive since getting a schnauzer sister, and having survived a nasty dog attack years ago. Now she reacts because younger sister is so social and brings dogs to us. I have to hold the fear reactive dog back while allowing the young pup to socialise. Generally it works. You are right though, some people just don’t get the space thing and think every dog needs to be greeted by their little darling.
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