Every week I hear from someone who feels crushed because their dog had a reaction.

They worry: “Did we undo all our training? Are we back at square one?”

Here’s the truth → reactions are not the end of the world. In fact, they’re part of growth.

Life is unpredictable. Surprises happen. Your dog will react sometimes—but that doesn’t erase your progress. What matters is:

• Reactions happen less often and are smaller over time
• You have a plan to handle them calmly
• Both you and your dog bounce back faster

Handled well, those moments actually build resilience and confidence—for both ends of the leash.

The trap many people fall into is playing it too safe. When we stay too deep in the comfort zone, progress becomes fragile and slow. You and your dog miss out on learning coping skills and problem-solving skills.

The goal isn’t to avoid every mistake—it’s to keep them small, safe, and recoverable. Growth happens at the edge of the comfort zone, not far beyond it.

That’s why it’s so important to practice your “damage control plan” until it’s muscle memory. When you know what to do, you can stay calm, guide your dog through, and move on without the drama.

I have released a podcast episode on this topic if you would rather listen, plus keep an ear open for episodes featuring people who just like you are struggling with reactivity.

Don't forget to sign up for my free training on September 24.

​🎯 Sign up now to save your spot​

If you are ready to commit, to make real progress, I'm here to help!

Talk soon,

– Christina

P.S. At the end of the workshop, I will be opening the doors to my signature 8 week reactivity training & coaching program: Leash Reactivity Deep Dive.

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