Ideas for trigger-free walks

George is more reactive around where we live so despite having some lovely walks from the house, we always hop in the car when we go for a walk. I am very fortunate to sometimes have access to a private field and we use Sniffspot regularly for off-leash time.

Small dog walking on rocky beach

Going for walks outside of peak times (very early mornings or late at night) is helpful (if safe).

 

During working hours also works if you can swing it (outside of the typical lunch break hours). It's also helpful if the weather isn't that great!

 

Car parks of industrial/office estates at weekends are usually a good bet, particularly on sunny days when parks and beaches are likely to be busy.

 

George prefers wide, open spaces like beaches or parks. He is more fearful on narrow paths where he can't see around the corner. Open space also helps us to spot and avoid triggers.

 

We try to park far away from other cars and entrances/exits if we can.

 

It takes a bit of trial and error. I keep a list of safe spaces which have worked well (or reasonably well).

 

Now that we are reintroducing walks more regularly, we are going to a handful of familiar places to help build confidence and positive experiences rather than lots of different places (which I mistakenly did in the past).

 

The outside world is unpredictable and George finds unpredictability very difficult. So we have one complete day off each week - a day where we don't have to go anywhere and just spend time resting and having fun together at home.

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