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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.

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