Passing Dogs on a Narrow Trail
Passing another dog on a narrow trail can be stressful. Limited space, unknown dogs, and unpredictable movement can make these moments harder for everyone involved.
In this session, Ella and I are walking on the Tay Trail. There’s a lot going on in this environment and I reply on management to make sure the experience is good one for everyone involved.
What You’ll See on This Walk
Based on Ella’s behaviour, ignoring them may not be realistic in this moment
Ella has plenty of time to observe them from a distance
My job is just to observe, reinforce check-ins, and avoid adding pressure
We’ve trained and practised for moments like this
A Few Things Worth Noticing
Food is feedback — my reinforcement rate prevents confusion or frustration
Loose leash — I don’t want to add pressure or prevent her from moving around
I’m not asking her to sit or look at me — behaviour matters more than positioning
Timing matters — reinforcement happens when she’s choosing connection, not after the fact
Why These Moments Matter
It’s easy to get caught up in looking for something to correct or change.
Doing nothing is often exactly the behaviour we want to see continue
Reinforcing what we want to see more of is much more effective than punishing
These small, everyday moments add up — especially for dogs who startle easily or struggle with movement and stimulating environments. This is what real-life training support looks like — quiet, flexible, and responsive to the moment you’re in.
📍 Location: Tay Trail
🌱 Environment: People, joggers, bikes, squirrels and other dogs present
🐶 Theme: Preventing negative encounters, maintaining focus, navigating distractions
