09/29/2025
āØ Hereās the $4 hack that completely changed life for my reactive dog š¾š
Itās no secretāIvy, my sweet girl, is a highly sensitive (reactive) rescue dog. Iāve tried to be open and honest about our journey here, and for the last two years, our focus has been on one thing: helping Ivy feel safe.
Safety is always a priority with sensitive dogs. Training only works when a dog is in the right mental space to learn. Just like people, they canāt take in new information when theyāre anxious or on edge; their brains are focused on survival, not learning.
Thatās why Iām a big believer in management and maintenance. Creating an environment where Ivy can relax is what sets the stage for progress. (I'm getting to the $4 life hack, I promise.)
One of the most helpful changes I made wasā¦ window film. Except, itās not really window filmāitās Elmerās school glue that I painted on the glass! (Donāt worry, it peels off easily with hot water. š¦) Before our window cover, Ivy spent hours watching the street, barking at every dog or person who passed by. She couldnāt settle.
Now? Sheās able to rest. And because sheās calmer, when something does set her off, she can actually access the training and coping skills weāve been building together. š¾
For dogs like Ivy, sometimes the smallest, simplest adjustments can make the biggest difference. What are the hacks that have helped your anxious/reactive/sensitive dog? š
