It looks like sharing your email is required and I prefer not to do that with a stranger on a forum so I'll answer the questions here:
Please tell me about your dog's reactivity:
She is no longer reactive in any significant way, but she used to be incredibly fearful of humans and excited/frustrated reactive to other dogs.
What have you tried to help with your dog's reactivity and what did you think about them?
I used tried and true protocols, mainly from the "control unleashed" by Leslie McDevott's book and classes. Lots of reorienting type exercises, LAT, and helping my dog feel safe which often involved removing her from the environment, picking her up, or just taking a moment to sit with her and let her assess and calm down with support.
I'm not sure what you mean by "what did you think about them" but obviously I think they are effective protocols as my dog is fine now.
Tell me about a recent situation when your dog's reactivity made something difficult. What was the situation and what did you do?
I don't feel like my dog's reactivity makes anything difficult because I have the strategies to cope with things if they come up. For example, she gets very excited sometimes and "screams" (if you've been to any terrier trials you'll know what I mean) but she is small and I can just pick her up and either walk away or face away from whatever is so exciting. With larger dogs I do the same, simply remove myself and the dog.
What could have made things easier for you and your pup at that situation?
Nothing. But I do think that for many owners, the struggle is with personal embarrassment or having to deal with the public. That's a human issue, and reactive dog owners often have to learn to be less reactive themselves, learn better emotional regulation themselves.
I've often encouraged owners to sing, to practice interactions before they happen, basically work on their own reactions too.
Also, minor pet peeve of mine, I am not a dog "parent" I am a dog "owner" and I really don't like being referred to as my dog's parent. For one, I am a parent to two adult children, but more importantly, calling owners "parents" or "guardians" is part of a slippery slope to losing very important rights as dog owners. It's worth googling the legal implications of the nomenclature. This is just one article that explains it:
Dog parents or owners: does the term really matter? You'd better believe it does. I'm a proud dog owner, and before you get mad, here's why ...
www.dogsnaturallymagazine.com
