Once upon a time, there was a dog called Rocket. A big, goofy, gentle German Wirehaired Pointer who loved people, loved dogs, and adored his local park. He would gallop across the grass like a wild thing, then flop at the feet of his doggy pals to say hello in the sweetest, most submissive way.
But everything changed when he was around 13 months old.
Rocket spotted some cockerpoos he’d known since puppyhood and ran over as usual, body low, tail wagging. He threw himself at their feet like always… but this time, they turned on him. Growling. Standing over him, standing on his chest.
And Rocket froze.
For what felt like a lifetime, he didn’t move a muscle. Just lay there while fear washed over him. Eventually, he sprang to his feet and bolted back to me, heart pounding.
That was the moment everything changed.
After that, Rocket started air snapping at dogs who got too close. Then he barked at a collie, and the collie retaliated by launching into full fight mode. Over time, Rocket became reactive to any dog we saw. It didn’t matter how far away they were—he’d lunge, bark, snarl, and lose himself in a meltdown of fear and frustration. And dogs that were allowed to run up to him when onlead? He is the dog that has picked up a jack russell and a cavapoo (fortunately no physical damage to either dog). Walking where there were offlead dogs became an absolute no. It has been A LOT!
He refused to go into the park. He stopped enjoying walks altogether, unless we were sure there’d be zero dogs around.
It was hard. Really hard.
The carefree, enjoyable life we’d had together was gone. Walks became tense and strategic. We were constantly scanning, avoiding, managing. And none of us were happy.
Where do you turn when your dog is suddenly scared of the world?
I spoke to his breeder. I spoke to other GWP owners. They are known for being a bit high-strung and dramatic. We’d done the research, but I suppose you only really see what you want when choosing a puppy.
Then I spoke to a friend, the founder of Reactive Dogs UK, who suggested I get Rocket into a class.
I laughed. A class? For the dog who melts down at the sight of other dogs?
But we did it.
And that was the beginning of a journey that changed everything.
Fast forward seven (ish) years…
Rocket is not the same dog.
Yes, he still has his quirks. He’s still sensitive and a bit of a drama queen. But now he can walk in places he once feared. He can see dogs without panicking. He trusts me. And I trust us.
So how did we get there?
Here’s what helped us:
Grief – Letting go of the picture in my head of the “perfect” dog life. Grieving what could have been and finding joy in what is.
Understanding – Digging into the ‘why’ behind the behaviour. Looking beyond the barking and seeing the anxiety and the fear. Learning what Rocket needed to feel safe.
Choice – Giving Rocket a say, so he could develop the confidence to make good choices. You don’t have to walk toward the scary thing. You don’t have to go out if you’re not ready.
Community – Trainers who truly got us. People who listened without judgment. Who celebrated the tiny wins and supported us through the setbacks.
Teamwork – It wasn’t just about Rocket learning. I had to learn too. We needed people who’d walk beside us, not ahead of us, telling us what we should be doing. We built a village of people that supported us, that helped make progress possible. Importantly, they understood and respected his needs.
Consistency – Training that worked because we practised it. Because we showed up for each other, again and again. Bad days happen, but we pick ourselves up and carry on.
Patience – Learning that Rocket wasn’t broken. He didn’t need to be “fixed.” We just needed to give him time, support, and space to heal.
Confidence – Mine. Because if I believe we’ve got this, Rocket can believe it too.
This is why I now specialise in offering Reactivity Support.
Because I’ve been that person. The one with the dog who flips out in public. The one who walks at 5am. The one who feels heartbroken, isolated, and judged.
And I’ve also been the person who makes it through. Rocket is not ‘fixed’ he still struggles with dogs in his ‘safe’ space, but his reactions are less intense and he recovers quickly. Some days are easier than others. We go to classes with other dogs, he has a select few dogs that have earned his trust, we can go for a pub lunch, a coffee with friends. Our world is not small.
If this story feels familiar—if your dog is struggling with reactivity and you don’t know where to turn, there is hope.
My Reactivity Support Workshops and one-to-one sessions, near Poole, Dorset, are designed to help you and your dog feel safe, supported, and understood. No pressure. No judgment. Just practical tools, guidance, and encouragement from someone who’s walked the same path.
Let’s help your dog find their way, too.
Find out more and register your interest in attending a Reactivity Support Workshop here
Or if you’d prefer a 1-2-1 session get in touch