Steady when it counts
He wasn't a bad dog. She was a good pet parent. Just a hard moment that needed someone steady.
An overwhelmed customer came in with her 2 large, high-energy dogs. One of the dogs was displaying more reactive behavior so she asked me to watch one of them while she took the other out to the car. My mindset for anxious dogs is that I remain hypervigilant so that the dog doesn’t have to be. I was aware of all of the dog’s body language, other customers and dogs walking through the store. I had an aggressive dog at home so I had a lot of confidence to make sure this dog would be safe, secure and managed while keeping the store protected. I could be held liable if the dog bit someone and I was fully aware of that but I was the confident dog trainer with aggression experience. I was ready to do whatever was needed to ensure the situation was successful and a positive experience for all.
The nearby customers watched as I almost comedically but carefully slipped the stopper on the dog’s slip lead closer to the dog’s neck while he wasn’t paying attention to me, preventing the leash from opening up and allowing the dog to escape from my control. I purposefully avoided sudden movements and prevented adding stress to the dog. I didn’t talk to the dog or touch him, further ensuring he was less stressed and I was safer. I took that responsibility very seriously and carefully guarded the dog until his owner returned to collect him. She thanked me for giving her some relief and I assured her they were fine. I was just truly glad I was there to give a calm experience for both human and pup. Even dog trainers have dogs with big feelings so I knew all too well the feeling of being judged. I was there to support her and ensure she didn’t feel shamed or embarrassed for his behavior. I could tell he wasn’t a bad dog and she was a good pet parent.
This experience showed my ability to stay composed under pressure, notice safety risks early, manage animal behavior responsibly and support customers with empathy.
