Look beyond the first moment
A worried reaction does not tell a dog’s whole story. BarkUp gives owners room to share what helps their dog feel settled before a meeting.
Two years old · black and grey dapple · tweenie dachshund
The dachshund behind BarkUp
A small dog with a big world to navigate.
Turbo is our two-year-old black and grey dapple tweenie dachshund. When he was little, he was incredibly shy. Around other dogs he would often make himself small and behave submissively, choosing to give way rather than make a fuss.
To us, he is also the most loving and super-smart puppy. He adores being outdoors: hiking up mountains, exploring woodland trails and charging through streams as if every splash is a brand-new discovery. Give him an adventure and the people he trusts, and his confidence and enormous personality shine through.
As he grew older, some of that uncertainty turned into fear and reactivity. New dogs and fast approaches can feel like a lot to process, and his first response does not always show the gentle, funny and affectionate dog we know at home.
Understandably, people often give a reactive dog a wide berth. But for Turbo, being judged from a distance means he rarely gets the time or space to become comfortable. It can close the door before he has had a fair chance to show who he is.
We know that another version of Turbo exists. He still has a few doggy friends from puppyhood who make him feel safe, and he usually gets on well with dogs around his own size. With familiar company and a thoughtful introduction, he can relax, play and simply enjoy being a dog.
“Turbo does not need every dog to be his friend. He just deserves a fair chance to find the right ones.”