It was such a joy having Sadie with me for the past couple of weeks—she really did a wonderful job, and I loved getting the chance to work with her more in-depth!

One of the big things that stood out to me was just how environmentally sensitive she is. Since I usually see her at home in her comfort zone, I hadn’t fully realized that the frenetic energy you see when she’s out and about isn’t just excitement—it’s also anxiety. That kind of response is really common for sensitive dogs, and I think just reframing it that way can help us better understand where she’s coming from and what she needs in the moment.

🐾 Polite Greetings

We worked on shaping a calmer greeting routine: Sadie practiced coming up to offer a hand target, and then swinging alongside the visitor to lean in for scritches. That positioning helps reduce jumping and encourages a more relaxed interaction for her.

Keep greeting practices short and sweet for now, and try practicing with you and Jeff—not just new people! It’s also helpful to remind Jeff to invite her before roughhousing so she gets a clear cue that play is starting.

🦮 Loose Leash Walking & Engagement

This is where her environmental sensitivity really came through. If you notice she’s not taking treats, her tail is low (even if it’s wagging), or she seems extra scattered, that’s a sign she may not be emotionally ready to work in that space.

In those moments, it’s totally okay to just hang back with her on a long line so she can observe and settle. Or you might switch things up and do something easier in a quieter spot. I focused on reinforcing offered engagement and used a longer leash to give her space to gather information and regulate.

📍 Real-World Practice: Classes at Your Dog’s Friend

If you’re taking her to a class there, try to arrive a little early so she can hang out in the green space outside and settle in. You can use that time to build some offered attention before heading in.

When you arrive, feel free to let her hop out of the car with a treat scatter—don’t worry if she doesn’t immediately eat it. That first scatter can be a useful gauge of her mindset, and then you can build engagement from there.