Give Them Space: A Calm Plan for Reactive Dogs

You set the alarm for 5 a.m. so the streets are empty. You scan every corner. When another dog appears, your stomach drops before your dog has even seen it. If walks have become the worst part of your day, this book gives you a clear, kind plan you can start today, without weekly trainer fees, helper dogs, expensive kit or harsh corrections.

Who it is for

Owners of dogs who bark, lunge or freeze on the lead at other dogs, people, runners or cyclists, whether the cause is fear, frustration or over-excitement. It includes guidance for big or strong dogs, frustrated greeters, flats and rural lanes, and owners moving away from prong or choke collars.

What you will do with it

Six weeks, one main job per week, each with a 10-minute "minimum day" and a 20–30-minute "full day":

• Week 1: stop the rehearsals with quieter routes, better timing and the right equipment
• Week 2: read your dog and map the distance at which it can still learn
• Weeks 3–5: change how your dog feels about triggers with open bar, Look At That and engage–disengage
• Week 6: review your progress and plan what comes next

What is inside

• What reactivity really is, and why feelings drive the behaviour
• Safety first: bites, muzzle training, pain checks and when to get professional help
• The green, amber and red distance system
• Rest, sniffing and decompression
• Setbacks and real-world situations
• Looking after yourself, including thinking about rehoming
• A printable toolkit of six tools, including a trigger log, threshold map, walk plan card and weekly tracker
• A glossary and 156 cited sources, with student theses, practitioner articles and trade-press reports marked as such

What you receive

• PDF edition: fixed-page layout that keeps the plan tables and toolkit as designed; best for printing.
• EPUB edition: reflowable text for compatible e-readers and reading apps. Tables and tools are easiest to use in the PDF.

Both files are delivered as downloads after purchase.

Please note

This is general education, not veterinary or behavioural advice for your individual dog. If your dog has bitten, has injured another animal, has changed behaviour suddenly or may be in pain, speak to your vet before using the plan. Progress is real but gradual: expect safer walks and faster recovery, not a "fixed" dog in six weeks. Research was checked to 9 November 2026.