Thanks for visiting! I’m here to share my life with two reactive dogs – the muddy walks, the chaotic moments, the small wins, and the love that somehow makes it all worth it.
My life revolves around two rescue dogs from Cyprus: Heidi and Pepper.
Heidi came to me in 2020 as a one-year-old. She’s a Greek Harehound cross with long legs, big ears and the most innocent expression you’ve ever seen. When she first arrived, she was so shy and beautifully gentle. So perfect, in fact, that I genuinely thought, “I could have five Heidis…”
Two years later, Pepper arrived – a Labrador cross with German Shepherd and Malinois. She is hyper, energetic, wildly intelligent, deeply sensitive… and very, very reactive. Dogs are her biggest trigger, but people, children, bikes, joggers and even cars can set her off too.
Our peaceful countryside walks? They turned into full-body workouts. Unpredictable, loud, embarrassing and exhausting.
And slowly, Heidi found her voice as well. Whether it’s confidence or copying, she now joins in with the barking and lunging. What used to be calm strolls are now carefully managed missions.
We’ve worked with trainers. Tried online courses. Invested time, energy and more money than I care to admit. For a long time I was trying to “fix” my dogs. Now, I’m learning to manage life with reactive dogs in a way that protects them and my own sanity.
At home they are absolute angels (mostly). They are affectionate, funny, loyal and endlessly loved.
This blog isn’t about perfect recall or off-lead café dogs. It’s about:
- Real life with reactive rescue dogs
- Managing dog reactivity without losing your mind
- Finding quiet dog walks in Scotland
- Honest product reviews that actually help
- Coping as an anxious dog owner
If you’re navigating life with a reactive dog, feeling judged on walks, or wondering if you’re the only one struggling – you’re not alone. I’d love for you to share your experiences or any tips that have helped you along the way.
