GofidoGoodFido

05/26/2026

https://www.gofidogoodfido.com/blog/getting-to-know-you

I really don’t know how much thought goes into adopting a dog for most humans.

05/16/2026

05/08/2026

How about it… The trainer wants to do something good for her horse!!!❤️❤️❤️

05/01/2026

TRIGGER AVOIDANCE TACTICS - LEARN TO MOVE LIKE TOM CRUISE!

In an attempt to retain control of their reactive dogs, I often see people insisting on a sit as a trigger approaches and passes them.

I can understand why they might choose this tactic; after all, we are still plagued by an obsession with obedience, despite the rise in dog-centred, holistic care and training. However, this scenario is much easier to cope with if the dog can keep moving, or at least have the freedom to choose to do so. You can imagine what it feels like to be asked to sit still and focus while something that worries you makes a direct beeline for you, coming closer and closer, and you can't do anything about it, while you wait for the inevitable. Scary stuff!

This then begs the question - what can we do instead?!

If you do get stuck in a tight spot, I would create as much space as you possibly can. Approaching on an arc is far less threatening and polite than a direct approach, so avoid face-to-face encounters.

Distraction is a good option to keep your dog feeling safe until the trigger has passed, perhaps with a scatter feed (if there isn't a risk of attracting other dogs) or feeding treats by hand. However, bear in mind that distraction is not a long term solution for reactive behaviours.

Counterconditioning and systematic desensitisation are the gold standard of behaviour modification, as they focus on helping the dog feel better about a trigger and building feelings of safety in order to gradually reduce distance. Distraction does not feature in this process, but it is a good tactic when management has failed and you need to keep your dog feeling safe.

Calling out or employing a “stop” hand signal might be needed if people do not give you space when it is available, or if you need time to gather yourself and your dog. Wearing yellow is fairly well recognised now as a dog in need of space, but this isn't always respected.

Management of the environment is a major factor here. If at all possible, stick to walks where you know that you will have a good view of what’s coming and can create space for your dog. If it’s not possible, look for things in the environment that you can use to your advantage: fencing, hedges, driveways, cars to duck behind, things to shield you, etc.

I often check out new walks without my dogs so that I can scout out places to get off the tracks/paths, and avoid the chance of not having enough space. Being stuck with nowhere to go and having a trigger descend on your dog is incredibly hard for them to cope with and will contribute to trigger stacking, as well as making walks less enjoyable for you both. Avoid if you can!

If your dog is comfortable with being picked up and would gain comfort from this, that could be an option to protect them, or lift them up and onto something to further distance them from a trigger. This needs to be conditioned in advance so as not to cause any distress, however.

If there are no physical barriers available, you can place yourself between your dog and the trigger to body-block them. Some people also condition a pop-up umbrella to use as a shield.

Keeping them moving with a well rehearsed emergency “let’s go!” cue and avoiding until the trigger has passed is the best option, and if your dog is able to take food, you can feed on the go. Your "let's go" cue will need a lot of rehearsal as it can be very difficult for worried dogs to turn away from their trigger - it's only natural to want to keep an eye on where the boogie man/big bad wolf is so that they can't creep up on you! Practising away from triggers and making it really exciting for your dog, perhaps adding in a run as you turn, will help. Very gradually add in distractions, always working from a safe distance so as not to overwhelm your dog.

Remember: you can always simply turn and go in the opposite direction, or find an alternative route - you don't have to stick to your planned walk!

Here is a great video on how to train a "let's go!" cue:

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NeV6EbL3LaE&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR244p9dnh8QZaulF7pFZWiPSHAInbuC4msnX1232N0xD1nHnu-gW2Oi-_E

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but a few ideas to help you on your way to perfecting your Mission Impossible Tom Cruise moves! Cue the music … 🎶 🎼 🎵

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www.trailiepawsforthought.com

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"If in doubt, don't hang about!

Being able to create space and increase distance quickly is an essential skill when it comes to keeping our dogs feeling safe. A really well rehearsed "let's go!" cue is fantastic for those occasions when you spot a member of the "my dog just wants to say hi" brigade heading your way, when someone doesn't respect your request not to approach your dog, when you need to increase distance from a trigger, or simply to interrupt and end a greeting between sociable dogs. There are many benefits, and can even add a bit of fun to walks!"

04/05/2026

THIS!

If a stranger walked up and asked to touch your child, what would you do? Would you smile and say sure, my daughter is friendly! Go ahead and pet her hair!

Uh, no. I would momma bear the crap out of that situation. No way, a stranger is touching my kid.

Why is it different for dogs?

From a veterinary behavior standpoint, an unfamiliar person reaching toward a dog is not a neutral interaction. It is a social and physical intrusion that the dog must interpret in real time.

Some might like it.

Many dogs will tolerate it.

Many will try to avoid it.

Others—especially those with fear, anxiety, pain, or a history of threat—may escalate.

Aggression is not unpredictable. It is a distance-increasing behavior that occurs when a dog perceives a loss of safety and control.

When we assume access—without consent—we remove choice.

When we remove choice, we increase stress.

And when stress rises, risk follows.

This is why “friendly” is not a sufficient assessment.

This is why bites often occur during routine interactions.

This is why prevention starts before contact is made.

The standard should be simple:

Dogs just like kids are not public property. No one has the right to pet your dog no matter how much they profess that dogs love them.

Not because dogs are dangerous—

but because they are sentient beings with thresholds, histories, and limits.

Respecting that boundary protects the dog, the handler, and the public.

And that is good behavioral medicine.

04/05/2026

04/03/2026

YES!

If your dog runs to you when something scares them, that's not weakness. That's exactly the way it should be.

There's a persistent idea floating around that a dog who seeks their guardian during stressful moments is "too dependent" or "not confident enough."

That the goal should be a dog who handles everything independently, without needing you at all. And I get why it sounds reasonable on the surface.

Independence sounds like confidence, but why does your dog need to handle everything on their own?

When we are anxious, nervous or scared we seek reassurance, comfort and support - but we are told in our dogs that's a weakness.

It's not about confident dogs.
It's about control.

The research on the secure base effect in dogs (Horn et al., 2013) shows that dogs use their guardians the same way young children use a parent: as a safe base from which to explore the world.

When that base is available and responsive, dogs are actually more willing to explore, more confident in novel environments, and recover faster from stressful experiences.

The dog who checks in with you, who moves toward you when something feels scary, is showing you that the bond is functioning.

Their nervous system has learned that proximity to you means safety.

That's the kind of bond we want.

What we often see in dogs who don't seek their guardian during stress isn't confidence.

It's a dog who has learned that seeking comfort doesn't work, or that closeness brings more pressure, not less.

Your dog coming to you when they're scared is one of the clearest signs that you've built something really beautiful with them

That's not a problem.
That's the whole point.

Save this for the next time someone tells you that comforting your dog is being "too soft" on them.

03/08/2026

https://www.gofidogoodfido.com/blog/the-un-balanced-trainers

The word “balanced” has a good connotation. It gives us a sense of stability, order and harmony.

02/13/2026

https://www.gofidogoodfido.com/blog/hes-a-bad-dog

There is a lot that has been said about the mantra, “Three days, three weeks, three months.” which refers to the idea that when adopting a dog, one should be aware of the adjustment period that the dog needs to settle in to their new home. And because some folks have taken this literally, many w...