Very fittingly. I learned about Jay, whose a canine author, blogger and freelance Writer, and her dog Finn through a piece of her writing.

It was an article that Jay wrote for Dogs Today a while ago, but that still makes the rounds among guardians of challenging dogs. What she wrote resonates deeply with most of us.

You can read the full article here:

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/2019/02/19/the-emotional-toll-of-reactive-dog/

But here are two quotes:

There are any number of articles that you can find about how to reassure and help your reactive dog. There are far, far fewer that in any way prepare you for the emotional rollercoaster that is being the owner or handler of a reactive dog.

and

I have cried more tears over this one dog than over any other animal I’ve ever had, even the ones that I’ve had to say that permanent goodbye to. Because of Finn, I have been patronised, pitied, sworn at and despised.

If you have ever wondered whether you messed your dog up because he was your first dog, then you will want to listen to Jay. She was used to living and working with border collies actually working sheep, and “still” she ended up with a very anxious dog.

Jay talks about the moment when someone told her she should just have her dog killed. We discuss what were pivot points in her life with Finn, like hearing the term reactive dog for the first time, and taking Canine Principles courses.

She explains how she ended up writing books, which, spoiler alert, was basically by embracing Nike’s slogan: just do it! and combining it with the belief that there is no one better to write about a topic than someone who has just had to deal it.

Jay also talks about how Finn’s stunning looks don’t always work in his favor. Imagine attracting every human within visual range to your blue merle coat, but being afraid of humans…

And of course, we talk about mindset and the relation with imposter syndrome, which is another topic that Jay is passionate about, and about how that ties into life with Finn.

All of the ways you can find Jay and learn more about her:

https://www.instagram.com/bluemerleminion/

https://www.instagram.com/jaygurden/

https://twitter.com/bluemerleminion

https://www.facebook.com/bluemerleminion/

https://www.facebook.com/jaygurdenwriter

https://www.facebook.com/Dogguardianshub

Imposter Syndrome FB group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/124746796350145

Imposter Syndrome Blog:

https://www.blogger.com/blog/posts/2563786379369033227

Blog:

https://splodgycollies.blogspot.com/

Websites:

https://jaygurden.com/

https://www.goodguardianship.com/

Book list on Books2Read: https://books2read.com/ap/RQr7oX/Jay-Gurden

Other Links:

Kim Brophy’s ethology courses:

https://kimbropheylegscourses.thinkific.com/

Canine Principles:

https://www.canineprinciples.com/

Sally Gutteridge:

https://www.sallygutteridge.com/

Dogs Today Magazine:

https://dogstodaymagazine.co.uk/