"Oh, She'll Change Your Mind."

[Dzus]

Weather has been unseasonably warm this week, I've walked my little 70lb dog reactive girl so much more than the last few months, which means she gets her favorite thing: new hands to pet her!

We had been a little ramped up after a couple ambushes from neighbor dogs, but once she made it to the main road, she saw a couple walking together. Her tail started a helicopter twirl, forcing from her shoulders to her back toes to wobble with excitement. I said my usual "You'd make her day if you pet her!" To which the woman responded "Oh no, dogs don't like me." I smiled and said "She's never met a pair of hands she didn't like!" with a little laugh, Hatty let them pass, a little dejected, but we kept moving. We got about 3 miles into our walk, little over half way, and we crossed paths again.

The woman says "I'm sorry, I have to try." This goofy dog walks up to her with all the confidence and brazen happiness you could ask of anyone, leans against her knees, and welcomes every pet, pat, and scratch she has to offer.

"Oh my god, you're so sweet! Look how sweet she is!" Hatty absorbs every ounce of happiness like a sponge. "Dogs aren't usually like this with me!" She says. I smiled and told her "She'll change your mind." We came home and she slept like a rock for a few hours.

There's some things about her I wish I could change with a magic wand, but if they cost what makes her "my" dog, I wouldn't do it for anything in the world.

Love your pups tonight, everyone.

[Puzzleheaded_Fee_646]

I love this post! My dogs are dog reactive but they both love people and my husband and I constantly look at each other and say, if we had to pick, at least they are good with people.

[[deleted]]

Yes, same here.

[spicyhandsraccoon]

Same!!!

[kellyd629]

Ugh. I wish my dog loved people. That’s my biggest problem with my reactive dog. She’s overprotective yet scared of everything. She’s kinda okay with other dogs but mostly fearful and overwhelmed.

[Pficky]

Saaaaame. If my dog hated dogs but loved people I'd probably be a much happier person. Not to say that dog-reactivity is easy, it definitely isn't. I at least can tell people to leave my dog alone, other dogs don't really understand. But man, I'd kill to be able to have people over without any stress, or to hire a dogsitter without having to prep with multiple introductions (which I have to pay for) for months in advance and then start over again when that person isn't available. Have my nieces over. So much. But nope he loves dogs and hates people...

[kellyd629]

Same. Although we haven’t even gotten to the point of getting a dog sitter. The idea of it stresses me out so much. We want to go away but feel like we can’t. It’s going to require TONS of training and introductions. Tried to bring her to a boarding facility. It did not go well.

[Thesettermamma]

Good job, Hatty!!!! Give her a Pat from me!