Picture the scene: you're walking along the road with your dog when - horror of horrors! - another person with a dog appears at the end of the street. You start to breathe faster, your heart rate speeds up, you clutch the lead tightly to you, keeping your dog's head close. Your dog spots the other dog, and lunges forward on the lead, barking ferociously. You gasp out broken commands as you try to keep your feet on the pavement. The other person sweeps by, looking down their nose at you.
Now shame enters the mix. Your dog has behaved badly, you were quite unable to control him, and now you're condemned as a useless dog-owner with a nasty dog. This walk has turned into a walk of shame and misery. Your dog is now on his toes, anxiously scanning for the next intruder to bark at. Your hands are sore, your throat is dry. You wish you could disappear into a hole in the ground.
Sound familiar? The first thing to realise is that you are not alone! There are lots of people who have dogs whom they love dearly - dogs who are a pleasure and delight about the house, calm, biddable, great with the kids. But as soon as they venture out of the door, the horns grow.
This first book in the series shows you just exactly what is going on with your dog - why he's doing what he's doing - and sets you on the road to make some changes born of understanding that will ultimately transform your walks.
Beverley writes with empathy for anyone whose dog has been labelled anxious, fearful, aggressive, or reactive - and the undercurrent of humour which flows through all her books will keep you smiling as you work through the entirely force-free program.