08/11/2026
Sometimes the best thing you can do for a nervous dog is show them that they don’t have to handle everything themselves.
Ozzy is a new Board & Train who is fearful and anxious around unfamiliar people and dogs.
In this clip, the other dog isn’t doing anything “wrong.” He’s simply interested in Ozzy and wants to interact and play.
But Ozzy isn’t ready for that yet.
So when I notice Ozzy becoming more uncomfortable with the interaction, I step in and send the other dog away.
Why?
Because I want Ozzy to learn that I’m paying attention and that he doesn’t have to escalate his behavior to make another dog leave him alone.
Advocating for your dog doesn’t mean sheltering them from everything that makes them uncomfortable. It means controlling the interaction enough that you can gradually build confidence without overwhelming them.
Good socialization isn’t forcing dogs to interact.
Sometimes it’s teaching them that they can simply exist around each other without any interaction at all.
As Ozzy becomes more comfortable and confident, we can gradually ask more from him. But right now, the goal is to show him that he’s safe, his boundaries will be respected, and I’ll step in when he needs me to.