The world shrinks in an instant.
What started as a normal walk is shattered by a blur of motion — an off-leash dog charging. The chaos, the panic... it’s over in seconds — but the fallout? It’s lasted for months, maybe years.
You get home, and the initial adrenaline is replaced by a deep, gut-wrenching fear.
The attack wasn't the end of it. In fact, it was just the beginning.
Does this part of the story sound familiar?
You did what you were supposed to do.
You hired a trainer who told you to "correct" the lunge. It only made your dog more anxious.
You tried another who gave you high-value treats and new cues — but your dog was too panicked to even eat them. Or your dog was just too distracted, barking or lunging at every dog — or even at people — unable to listen to you at all.
You’ve spent months — maybe even years — trying everything.
And you’re still standing in the same spot, thinking the same devastating thought:
"What am I doing wrong? Why isn't my dog getting better?"
Why “More Training” Isn’t Working — And What Your Dog Really Needs
Here’s the truth you need to hear:
You’re not dealing with a training problem. You’re dealing with a trauma problem.
Recent science confirms what many dog lovers have always felt — the canine brain shares remarkable social and emotional similarities to our own.
When your dog was attacked, their brain didn’t just register a “bad event.” It was flooded with cortisol and adrenaline. It forged a new, lightning-fast neural pathway that screams:
DOG = DANGER = THREAT TO LIFE
For a puppy or adolescent dog — still learning how the world works — this kind of experience is like a formative childhood trauma.
It doesn’t just teach them that one dog was scary. It can teach them that any dog, and sometimes the entire outside world, is unpredictable and unsafe.
So now, every time your dog barks and lunges, it’s not defiance. It’s not them being “stubborn” or “dominant.”
It’s a panic attack. A desperate, terrified plea:
“Please, get me out of here.”
We forgive the “embarrassing” behaviour.
We forgive the lack of “progress.”
And most importantly, we forgive ourselves — for not having the right answers before now.
A trauma doesn’t mean your dog is untrainable or broken.
It means they need a different kind of help.
After the Attack: Shrinking the World to Expand It Later
After an attack, your dog's world needs to shrink before it can expand again.
This concept reminds me of an idea from dog trainer Suzanne Clothier, who asks: “What size world is right for this dog, at this moment?”
It’s a powerful way to remind us to respect the dog’s emotional boundaries — and that recovery begins with safety, predictability, and small steps.
This might mean temporarily saying goodbye to dog parks, busy pavements, or high-traffic walking routes.
Instead, create positive, pressure-free experiences where your dog already feels safest — like your garden or living room.
Start reintroducing the outdoors slowly.
Just step outside together for a few minutes and let your dog observe the environment. Let them sniff the air, listen to the sounds, and look around.
You can even make a game of it:
“Let’s go outside!”
Once your dog seems calm and looks back at you, try scattering a few treats on the ground for them to sniff out and enjoy. Then, with a cheerful voice, say:
“Let’s go inside!”
Once inside, play their favourite game or offer a relaxing activity they love.
This gives your dog a sense of control and helps rebuild confidence — gently, step by step.
Become a Body Language Detective
Your dog is talking to you long before they explode.
Learn their whispers so you don’t have to hear their screams.
Watch for:
• Lip licks
• "Whale eye" (showing the whites of the eyes)
• Closed mouth
• Quick glances away or tension in the body
These are early signs your dog is feeling overwhelmed.
Your new job is to spot that whisper — and help your dog exit calmly, before they need to shout.
This builds immense trust.
Redefine the “Walk”
When you do venture out again, the goal is no longer to “get through it.”
The goal is for your dog to have a positive experience, however short.
Tips for a redefined walk:
• Choose quiet times and wide-open spaces
• Let your dog sniff — it’s calming and therapeutic
• Keep the walk short and relaxed• If you see another dog in the distance, cheerfully say,
“Let’s go!” and turn away before your dog has to react
Why Forcing Confidence Doesn’t Work
This is why the old-school "make them face their fears" approach backfires so spectacularly with traumatised dogs.
When we force a dog into situations that trigger their alarm system, we’re not building confidence — we’re confirming their worst fears.
Think of it like physical therapy for the brain.
A person recovering from a severe injury doesn’t immediately run a marathon.
They start with gentle exercises, gradually building strength and resilience.
Your dog’s emotional recovery follows the same principle.
They don’t need to be pushed — they need to feel safe, supported, and in control of the pace.
A New Way Forward
Healing isn’t quick or linear — and that’s okay.
But when you shift from “fixing behaviour” to “healing a wounded heart,” everything changes.
You and your dog aren’t stuck — you’re rebuilding trust, one step at a time.
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If your dog’s story sounds like this, please know — you’re not alone.
The first step on a new path is often the hardest, but you don’t have to take it by yourself.
If you're ready to move from frustration to understanding, I invite you to join my email community. It's where I share more empathy-first advice and stories like this one to help you support your dog and find peace together.
And if you're looking for a personalised, science-backed plan for your unique situation, you can learn more about my 1:1 virtual consultations [here].
Together, we can build a new story for you and your dog — one based not on fear, but on trust.
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