Leash Frustration

Not All Dog’s Are Social-

Hi! Judy here with more ways to support you! For years, dog owners have been told that socialization means more, more greetings, more places, more dogs, more interaction. And for resilient dogs, that approach can work just fine. But for many others, it quietly creates stress. After more than 25 years working in canine behavior, […]

Not All Dog’s Are Social- Read More »

Struggling to Know How Much Socialization Is Too Much?

You’re not alone—and your puppy’s confidence depends on getting this right. Do you ever find yourself wondering:“How much socialization does my puppy really need… and how do I know when I’m doing too much?” If you’re feeling unsure, conflicted, or quietly worried you might be doing too much, I want you to know this first:

Struggling to Know How Much Socialization Is Too Much? Read More »

Traditional Dog-to-Dog Socialization Can Do More Harm Than Good

The Socialization Myth What if the very thing you’ve been told to do to help your dog—traditional dog-to-dog socialization—was actually making your dog defensive or reactive? Dog parks, daycare, and pack walks are often sold as the gold standard for raising a well-adjusted pup. But the reality is far more complicated, and, for many dogs,

Traditional Dog-to-Dog Socialization Can Do More Harm Than Good Read More »

Causes of Canine Reactivity

I continue to work with countless distraught clients who are desperate to stop their dog’s reactive behavior on a leash. I get it! When I adopted my 9-year-old Scottish Terrier in 2009, I felt the same isolation, stress and frustration. For two years, we trained diligently and, eventually, reached a point where we could walk

Causes of Canine Reactivity Read More »