Walkin’ & Talkin’: When Your Dog Gets Scared of… Garbage?
Some days it’s a squirrel. Some days it’s a plastic bag. And some days… it’s the garbage. Our dogs run into strange, unexpected things out in the world — and their first response is often uncertainty. Hackles up, hesitant body language, slow approaches.
In this session, each of my dogs reacts to the same pile of garbage in their own way. I let them take the time they need to look, sniff, investigate, and figure out for themselves that the “scary thing” isn’t actually a threat.
What You’ll See on This Walk
Each dog approaches the garbage with different feelings and body language
Slow, thoughtful investigation helps them process information safely
My job is just to observe, reinforce check-ins, and avoid adding pressure
Sniffing, pausing, and circling all show up as normal “is this safe?” behaviours
Once they gather enough information, the tension drops and we keep moving
A Few Things Worth Noticing
Hackles don’t always mean aggression — sometimes it’s arousal, surprise, or just a moment of “Whoa, what’s that?”
Nobody is rushed — time and space let the dogs problem-solve on their own
You’ll see the shift — posture softens, tails loosen, breathing slows
Each dog’s pace is different — and that’s the whole point of letting them lead the investigation
Why These Moments Matter
Encounters like this help dogs build real-world resilience. When they’re allowed to look, sniff, and process without being pulled away or pushed closer, they learn:
The world is predictable
They can figure things out
Their choices matter
You’re not going to pressure them into something scary
These small, everyday moments add up — especially for dogs who startle easily or struggle with uncertainty.
📍 Location: Our Road
🌱 Environment: Quiet with surprise objects
🐶 Theme: Observation, Confidence, Natural Investigation
