I'm getting better at this. Being an introvert, I do find it difficult to shout over to strangers or tell people to back off.
It's been a learning curve. I spent too long in the early days being polite to people while George was struggling.
Now I'm pretty good at immediately increasing the distance.
It still goes against my nature to shout over to people but I have got better at it. Although I could definitely be louder.
George is cute looking so is a bit of a magnet for children. The other day a young boy was riding his bike and I saw him put his bike down and start to approach.
I put my hand out and shouted "Sorry no, he's nervous". He was still quite a distance away and shouted back "What?". At which point George started barking and he backed off. But if I was louder and firmer I might have prevented that.
It's so important that I advocate for George and have his back. That's my job.
I have realised that and will try my best even though I find it difficult.
I think I need to prepare some key phrases to shout including He's nervous, He's not friendly, etc. I've even read advice to shout that he bites or that he has an infectious disease...whatever works!
Through George's reactivity, I am learning to care less about what other people think. But I also need to be confident in advocating for George so that he gets the space he needs to feel safe.