Have you ever been caught off guard when someone wants to pet your dog? You know it can feel awkward to say no, but sometimes your dog really needs you to say no. So I want to share a quick story. That's the perfect example of why your dog's comfort should always come before being polite to a stranger, of why your dog's comfort should always come before being polite to a stranger.

So I was working with a couple of clients the other day. We were outside with their dog and their dog's a little on the shy, anxious side, around new people, and the setup was fine. One owner was standing, the other was sitting, the dog was on leash and just hanging out in front of them and then someone walked by and spotted the dog and started heading straight toward her. They were locked in, visually, looking at her, smiling and asking questions like what's her name and what breed is she and how old is she. As they kept approaching and here's the part that stuck with me the owners got so wrapped up in that conversation. They were friendly, talking, answering questions. They never noticed that their dog had retreated and was now hiding under the chair. I had to step in and stop the person from getting any closer and then gently point out that the dog was panicking. She wasn't just uncomfortable, she was in full retreat mode, trying to get away, and meanwhile they were inadvertently ignoring her, and that's a tough moment. I know they weren't trying to do anything wrong, but I had to remind them.

Your dog's comfort and well-being always comes first, not just during training sessions but in real life. A random stranger doesn't matter more than your dog. In that moment what should have been happening was quiet reassurance, feeding the dog treats, letting the dog observe from a distance, helping her feel safe, not standing there chatting while she's silently screaming for help. Just remember you don't owe anyone a conversation. When your dog is uncomfortable, it's okay to be that rude dog owner that protects your dog's bubble, watch their body language and, if they need you, be there for them. Training doesn't just happen in quiet moments at home. It happens in everyday life and especially when things get uncomfortable.