Jennifer Rinaldi

Tips and equipment you may need to keep you and your friend safe.

Is your dog the type who loves everyone? Or do you have a dog that is fearful? Either way, this article is one you should read. With the warmer weather coming, more of us will be taking to the trails with our dogs to enjoy nature we need to be respectful and understand how best to interact safely. If we all understand proper trail etiquette, then all of us can have a safe and wonderful time exploring. If your dog is the type who loves everything you are blessed, but please be aware that not every dog is that way, so keeping your dog on a leash and respecting other dogs’ space is crucially important. Those of us with reactive dogs can enjoy the great outdoors as well providing that we plan and communicate to other dog owners our limitations.

One of the hardest things about owning a primitive/reactive dog is that they live in a heightened state of arousal 24/7. Their keen senses often lead them to react quickly and sometimes violently to the world around them. That doesn’t mean that they and their humans should be excluded from the trails. I have a special place in my heart for these dogs as they are often misunderstood and often become the hated pariahs of a neighborhood, causing everyone else to grumble insults as they pass by with their dogs, who ‘love’ everyone.

These dogs have as much right to enjoy the trails as any other if they are properly trained, and their tendencies managed. 

  . Our dog when in his highly reactive state, often snarls, and lunges more out of anxiety than aggression. If loose dogs run up, he gets defensive and becomes protective of me which can ruin the whole walk for us. Often the owner is not far behind yelling something like “Oh. He’s friendly.” To which I say under my breath ‘Well my guy is not.” As the owner clips on the leash and proceeds to approach anyway. It is at this point that I raise my hand and firmly say to them ‘Keep your distance.”

I dislike on-leash greetings because introducing dogs face-to-face while restrained is just not a good practice. A leash doesn’t allow dogs to move away if they feel threatened. I also purchased a training sleeve for my leash that alerts other dog owners of my dog’s tendencies and communicate clearly as I approach. I often bring my dog to the side and put him in a sit or a down stay with his eyes on me. I carry treats and work to make sure his eyes are on me and the treat, not the dog walking by us. 

I train on a rally course with my dog every week during the summer and during training, he is a perfect gentleman. The other dogs in the class are kept at a respectful distance and we practice at the end of every class quietly walking around each other to improve our dogs’ listening skills. Three of us have reactive dogs yet each one of those dogs can be in close proximity to each other during the class without so much as a growl. The reason is that our dogs’ attention is on us. 

Lately, because of the deep snow, I have been using an e-collar when I walk him in the neighborhood in areas around other dogs. My e-collar has a tone and a mild shock if needed. I know that many are opposed to the use of such devices, but for us, it works. I had a professional trainer teach us how to use this, and I am confident with it. I have it set to the mildest setting and use the ‘good boy’ tone more than the shock. It has saved me more than a few times when my 67-pound dog goes ballistic due to a loose dog or some other distraction. With the collar, I immediately get his attention with the tone and he moves to my side and sits. If he is highly agitated sometimes the mild stimulus is enough to bring his attention back to me. He has come to recognize that the collar means it’s time to walk. His positive association with the device had given him his freedom. His recall is excellent because of the foundation work we did with him and this collar when he was young. 

I have also muzzle-trained my dog because nothing says to stay away like a muzzled dog although I don’t walk him with it on. Our trainer insisted that he be trained to his basket muzzle when he was a puppy, and I applaud her often for her suggestion even though at the time I thought it was crazy to muzzle a puppy. The training paid off when last year our dog was stung by a scorpion and needed treatment. We couldn’t even pet him, but I could muzzle him. We would not have been able to treat the painful wound safely without him being muzzled.

When I walk him on the street or trail, I always plan ahead. Looking out for any triggers that might be coming, such as loose dogs, large construction vehicles, Elk, and his personal nemesis, squirrels. I never hesitate to take him hiking, and most people who walk past us never know that he can be reactive. If I sense that a dog coming toward us might be a problem, I pull my dog to the side of the trail and ask him to sit facing me while allowing the other dog to pass. We still have days that are challenging but the harder we work the fewer those days are. He has even made a few friends. With practice, your reactive dog can enjoy walking in public spaces. Here are a few things you may need.

If you are at all uncomfortable with your dog being around other dogs hire a professional trainer to help you get started. As I mentioned above, our trainer help lay a solid foundation for our dog that has helped us in dealing with his tendencies. Don’t let others dissuade you from taking a walk! With consistency and practice, most may never know your dog is reactive. 

EQUIPMENT FOR HANDLING REACTIVE DOGS, I SUGGEST:

• A WELL FITTED MARTINGALE-TYPE COLLAR INSTEAD OF A HARNESS (HARNESSES ENCOURAGE PULLING)

• A LEATHER OR WEB LEASH (6-FEET) I LIKE ONE THAT CAN BE CLIPPED TO YOU EITHER WITH A BELT OR A SHOULDER STRAP. I USE GEARTEC RUNNING BELT. GEARTEC.COM

• A SLEEVE FOR YOUR LEASH THAT STATES THAT YOUR DOG IS EITHER IN TRAINING OR IS LEASH REACTIVE.

• CITRONELLA SPRAY FOR LOOSE DOGS, OR AN AIR HORN — PETSAFE CITRONELLA SPRAY OR SAFETY SPORT DOG HORN.

• SPORT DOG FIELD TRAINER COLLAR WITH A REMOTE. SPORTDOG.COM/

“Happy Tails and Happy Trails"