Stranger danger! Don't touch me. Get out of my house!

Published about 16 hours ago • 1 min read

"Stranger danger! Don't touch me. Get out of my house!"

Can you hear your dog in any of those sentences?

Maybe you've given strangers treats or a ball to help win your dog over?

You've asked people to avoid eye contact, move slowly, turn away, not talk to your dog.

You know how sweet your dog is when they are with people they trust, and you wish everyone could see that dog. you want your dog to be friends with your friends, family, neighbours.

There's a step that most people miss.

Before our anxious or protective dogs can be friends with new people, they have to learn how to be neutral with strangers. The above methods are fine for a dog who is just a little unsure, but for truly fearful or protective dogs, dogs can get in a world of trouble.

When we coerce interactions using food or toys, or even just social pressure, we put our dogs up close and personal with people before they are ready to truly be social.

This is how people get bit.

The key to helping the more severe cases is teaching them how to be neutral around new people, & that it is safe to be neutral around new people.

Once we have comfort and consistency in neutrality, THEN we start looking for communication from your dog that says they are ready to make friends.

Don't forget to sign up for my free training this Wednesday!

🎯 Sign up now to save your spot

Talk soon,

– Christina

P.S. At the end of the workshop, I will be opening the doors to Dream Dog, my signature 6 month program!

2738 Holden Corso Rd, Nanaimo, BC v9x 1n5
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