Big Brown Barky Dogs at Big Box Retailers

Why is it that when I am most despairing that Belle will ever pass muster as a fully-trained, excellent service dog she surprises me with a virtuoso performance?

Yesterday, Belle and I went to a big box retailer to pick up some household essentials and practice various cues. We wandered around the corner of an aisle and found ourselves face to face with a man and his big, brown, barky dog (thank-you again, JM for this terrific phrase). Both dogs were startled but while Belle sat down and looked up at me for guidance, the big, brown, barky dog reared back and roared. I told Belle to "leave it" and we calmly walked away down another aisle. She didn't look back even once, she just walked easily at heel despite the commotion behind us. At the end of the aisle, I stopped to praise her lavishly. Meanwhile, the BBBD and his owner were getting a talking to from the store manager.

Admittedly, I didn't get a great look at the BBBD because I was focused on Belle. However, I saw no pack or special harness that indicated the dog was an official service or guide dog. But official or no, Belle handled her first encounter with another dog in a working setting like a pro. What a great girl!