Better Together K9

07/10/2026

Help! I brought home a reactive dog, now what?!

This is homework without your dog.

1. Make a list of all the things your dog reacts to. Dogs, people, bikes, trucks, cars, kids, birds, cats. Even if the reaction is 'OMG A DOG! HEY COME OVER HERE SO WE CAN PLAY!!!" Whatever it is, make a list.

2. Scout locations to walk your dog where you feel fairly confident you won't run into those things. Likely this will not be right outside your front door. I always suggest industrial parks, business parks, empty parking lots, busy streets can be an option if vehicles aren't a trigger.

Dogs get good at what they practice, calm feelings can be practiced. We just have to set them up for success. Find your dog's ideal walking space, this is temporary but still try to find a space convenient for you to consistently make it to.

**taking a pause on walks to build coping skills is always a great idea! Leash up your pup and practice getting steps in in the back yard, even in your house**

07/02/2026

Resharing enrichment ideas based on dog groups.

07/02/2026

Day 2- Help! I brought home a reactive dog, now what?!

So you've blocked windows and limited access to practicing reactive behaviors in your house. You're prioritizing feeling safe in their own home.

Now we have to meet those needs. Just like we can't ask our human kids to learn when they are hungry/tired/not feeling safe/needing movement. We have to meet our dogs needs before we ask them to work on their reactive tendencies.

This looks different for every dog, so pay attention to your own dog. Look for breed specific enrichment ideas. Working dogs have different needs than toy dogs, guardian dogs have different preferences than herders. Some dogs want an honest 9-5 job, if you don't create their job, they'll self employ and i promise you don't want that.

My corso prefers watching the world go by and digging, my husky loves movement and chasing, my foster likes chasing and herding.

TLDR- find ways to meet your dog's individual needs, if you don't, they'll find their own entertainment.

07/01/2026

Help! I brought a reactive dog home, now what?!

Welcome to my road map for reactivity featuring Cornflake the reactive pup.

First things first, prioritize your dog feeling safe. Your dog can't learn the world isn't a warzone if they live life in a warzone. Block windows your dog barks out of, play gentle music to drown out street and neighbor noise. Remember, just because *we* know they are safe does not mean they feel safe.

I promote a lot of natural foraging opportunities as a way to have better feelings about being calm outside. If your pup feels safe enough to eat outside, tossing some of their meals (or a few treats) into the grass. if they won't eat outside, snuffle mat or shredder box in the house.

BONUS- sniffing is tiring, so on these hot days, nature's snuffle mat is a great way to wear out your dog without cooking your dog.

Stick around for day 2 ❤️

05/21/2026

Decompression walk, Sniffari, dog led walks.. all say the same thing.

what's important is location, if you have a reactive dog- walking in quiet areas where your dog can "let their hair down" is important. Country roads, business parks, empty parking lots, industrial areas are all great options to check out for your dog. put them on a long leash and check out your own yard, but do it together ❤️

*some walks should absolutely be training walks, but some should definitely be relaxing walks*

Where is your dog's favorite decompression space?

05/09/2026

I hope everyone finds as much joy as Garvan does ♥️

Garvan loves being told he is the smartest boy and physical touch.

What brings your dog joy?

05/06/2026

Take your turn training is one of my favorite things to work on with our new fosters. For lots of reasons but most importantly impulse control.

My resident dogs can model good behavior, my fosters learn to wait your turn.

Does your dog have impulse control?

05/01/2026

"Dogs are not volunteers, they are drafted." -suzanne clothier

Whether that is a dog sport, or a lifestyle. They have very little say. I don't do dog sports, but I do lean on my dogs to help me raise great fosters.

In exchange for their service, I make sure they are fairly compensated for their time and effort. Taking note of favorite treats, activities and outings they enjoy.

What have you drafted your dogs for?

Mine are helper dogs for reactive dogs, they're foster helpers and guinea pigs for new training games.

Their compensation is pack walks with dogs who dont bark at them, field trips to new parks for new smells and dedicated one on one engagement from me.

04/15/2026

I just finished reading a book on creating success for your adopted dog.

If you're thinking of adopting, or have already adopted and your dog is having a hard time. If you foster. Read this book. It's short, it's clear and it has great suggestions to support your new friend.

RESCUE LOGIC: Stop Guessing Their Past. Start Building Their Present.