Category: Reactive dog

How I manage my trial stress when trialing with my reactive dog

Niko earned his first AKC Rally Obedience leg this weekend. This is the first time we trialed in AKC events, and second time in Rally Obedience. I started to trial with him one and half years ago. We started in NACSW, went from Odor Recognition Tests (ORTs) to NW1, NW2, and element trials.  We also trialed in Performance Scent Dogs (PSD) trials and Wag it Games scent trials, and earlier this year, we started to trial in World Cynosport Rally Trial and then the AKC Rally this week. Continue reading How I manage my trial stress when trialing with my reactive dog

Celebrate “failures”

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This is one of my favorite trial photos. It was taken at Performance Scent Trial (PSD) Novice Exterior search in MD last weekend. From my big smile (you can still see even from this angle), you must think Niko nailed the search, right? Actually, this was our first search of a full trial day and the only search he failed that day. He wasn’t focused on searching; there was something in the environment that worried him and I couldn’t figure out what it was. So I asked the judge where the hide was and had a big celebration with him, even after he failed to find it. Continue reading Celebrate “failures”

Why I give my reactive dog choices

I just got back from a great walk with Niko. Today is one of the nicest Saturdays. We had snow last week but today is a perfect spring day: 56F with beautiful sunshine and breeze. We went to a park/trail near our house. Unsurprisingly, it was busy. We saw scooters, a skateboarder, 8 dogs within 10-30ft, and kids playing soccer on the grass. Continue reading Why I give my reactive dog choices