26/02/2026
After a lovely weekend away. An awful accident at Bolton Abbey resulted in emergency surgery for my own dog, Chilli.
I rescued Chilli at 7 months old. She has always been fear reactive. Through structured training, clear boundaries and a very small, carefully managed circle, she has come incredibly far.
But progress does not erase genetics.
Progress does not erase pain.
Progress does not override survival instinct.
As a trainer, I teach cooperative care.
We practice handling drills.
We build consent.
We condition muzzles positively.
And yet when Chilli was in such pain and I attempted first aid, all of that went out of the window.
Pain changes behaviour. Fast.
At the out of hours vet, I was clear about Chilli’s needs. She was given a sedative injection before being moved further into the clinic. No restraint battles. No flooding. Surgery followed, and I stayed with her in recovery.
That was the least traumatic option for her.
Today was her wound check and dressing change. Sedation was discussed, but after a recommendation we trialled oral medication instead. I had reservations. Two hours later she was still fully alert and in no state to tolerate handling of a painful surgical site.
I didn’t let her rehearse defensive behaviour.
I didn’t let her be pushed over threshold.
Because as professionals, our job isn’t just to “get the job done.”
It’s to protect the dog’s emotional response long term.
Muzzle training is not about protecting a vet.
Sedation is not about “giving in.”
Advocating is not about being difficult.
It’s about preventing trauma.
It’s about preventing fallout.
It’s about understanding that behaviour is communication.
