Defend Your Dog ft. Amanda Glickman

Send a text

When the unthinkable happens and your dog is attacked, how do you respond? This question drove Amanda to develop practical defense strategies after her young spaniel Harley was cornered and attacked by two off-leash dogs on what should have been a routine walk. The trauma affected both of them deeply, but their journey of recovery offers powerful lessons for all dog owners.

Amanda and Lauren dive into a surprisingly simple yet effective tool for dog defense: an umbrella. This everyday item serves three crucial functions - breaking visual contact between dogs, creating a physical barrier, and startling approaching threats without causing harm. They walk through the step-by-step process of training your dog to work with this tool through a reliable "middle" position and careful desensitization exercises.

What makes this conversation particularly valuable is the focus on recovery after traumatic incidents. Both trainers share personal stories of helping their dogs overcome frightening encounters, emphasizing how different dogs respond based on their genetics, temperament, and learning history. The distinction between behavior training (cued responses) and concept training (uncued choices) illuminates why games-based approaches build true resilience in our canine companions.

Whether your dog has experienced trauma or you simply want to be prepared, the defense and recovery strategies shared will help you become a more effective advocate for your dog's physical and emotional wellbeing. By focusing on optimism-building games and creating opportunities for calm, you'll develop a dog who can navigate challenging situations with confidence and quickly recover from setbacks when they occur.

Support the show

If you’re loving the podcast, you’ll love our NEW Sexier than a Squirrel Dog Training Challenge even more! Get transformational dog training today for only £27!

Want even more epic dog training fun and games and solutions to all your dog training struggles? Join us in the AbsoluteDogs Games Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/gamesclub

Want to take your learning to the next level? Jump into the games-based training membership for passionate dog owners and aspiring trainers that know they want more for themselves and their dog - Pro Dog Trainer Club!
https://absolutedogs.me/prodogtrainerclub

And while you’re here, please leave a review for us and don’t forget to hit share and post your biggest lightbulb moment! Remember, no matter what struggles you might be facing with your dog, there is always a game for that!