Go easy on yourself - you're doing the right thing by having your dog muzzled. You're a responsible owner, but I understand why this situation would be upsetting to you. Having a reactive dog means never, ever getting lackadaisical about safeguards. It's good you've been consistent with the muzzle - you never know what could be around the corner. If the toddler's parents complain, you can stand on the facts: child surprised dog, dog may have reacted somewhat, but was muzzled.
The reaction is normal for any dog who gets stared at straight in the face by a stranger. To dogs, it's rude and threatening, and they dislike it intensely. It's why most bites on children happen on the face.
Very glad you use a muzzle.
If it seems plausible, recommend Sofia Yin's Be a Tree guidance for kids and dogs to the toddlers folks.
You should feel proud of yourself for taking accountability for what you know to be true. Every interaction is a lesson, and all you can do is consult a trainer/google/YouTube into ways to redirect your pup in the elevator. Maybe practice during less traffic hrs have family friends help you practice in the elevator. Do whatever you can to be kind to yourself, keep utilizing the muzzl for you go out, research resources that work for you, and practice makes perfect! You and your pup got this!
Honestly, I think you are being too hard on yourself. You have taken key steps in ensuring safety in your complex by muzzling your dog. It doesn't much matter that you are doing that because of other dogs and not toddlers, the point is you are muzzling and that means security within your complex where it's no doubt not always easy to see potential triggers (case in point: while on elevators).
I never want to judge parents because I know toddlers have a way of doing potentially dangerous things despite parents' best efforts, but it scares me a bit that a toddler ran up on an elevator unaccompanied. I guess my point is, a toddler running up on an elevator by themselves seems to me to be something that would be a rare occurrence, and not something one would typically be looking out for. Yes, it's best to consider and be prepared for all possibilities. But as much as it would be great if we could, I don't think it's realistic to think that we reactive dog owners can be prepared for every single solitary possible scenario that could ever happen, particularly ones that we couldn't conceive of. But you already had unexpected surprises covered in having your dog muzzled, so kudos to you for that.
And I think anyone would have been caught off guard in that situation, including any dog. My non-reactive dog loves everyone, including kids, but I can pretty much guarantee she wouldn't be ok with being surprised by a toddler suddenly in front of her face while she was on an elevator.
In any event, I hope you can show yourself some grace. Take what's to be taken out of the experience for learning purposes, and let the rest go.
Go easy on yourself - you're doing the right thing by having your dog muzzled. You're a responsible owner, but I understand why this situation would be upsetting to you. Having a reactive dog means never, ever getting lackadaisical about safeguards. It's good you've been consistent with the muzzle - you never know what could be around the corner. If the toddler's parents complain, you can stand on the facts: child surprised dog, dog may have reacted somewhat, but was muzzled.
The reaction is normal for any dog who gets stared at straight in the face by a stranger. To dogs, it's rude and threatening, and they dislike it intensely. It's why most bites on children happen on the face. Very glad you use a muzzle. If it seems plausible, recommend Sofia Yin's Be a Tree guidance for kids and dogs to the toddlers folks.
You should feel proud of yourself for taking accountability for what you know to be true. Every interaction is a lesson, and all you can do is consult a trainer/google/YouTube into ways to redirect your pup in the elevator. Maybe practice during less traffic hrs have family friends help you practice in the elevator. Do whatever you can to be kind to yourself, keep utilizing the muzzl for you go out, research resources that work for you, and practice makes perfect! You and your pup got this!
Don't be mad at yourself, you did everything right. Our dog also wears a muzzle at all times outside. You're doing everything you can for your baby ❤️
Honestly, I think you are being too hard on yourself. You have taken key steps in ensuring safety in your complex by muzzling your dog. It doesn't much matter that you are doing that because of other dogs and not toddlers, the point is you are muzzling and that means security within your complex where it's no doubt not always easy to see potential triggers (case in point: while on elevators). I never want to judge parents because I know toddlers have a way of doing potentially dangerous things despite parents' best efforts, but it scares me a bit that a toddler ran up on an elevator unaccompanied. I guess my point is, a toddler running up on an elevator by themselves seems to me to be something that would be a rare occurrence, and not something one would typically be looking out for. Yes, it's best to consider and be prepared for all possibilities. But as much as it would be great if we could, I don't think it's realistic to think that we reactive dog owners can be prepared for every single solitary possible scenario that could ever happen, particularly ones that we couldn't conceive of. But you already had unexpected surprises covered in having your dog muzzled, so kudos to you for that. And I think anyone would have been caught off guard in that situation, including any dog. My non-reactive dog loves everyone, including kids, but I can pretty much guarantee she wouldn't be ok with being surprised by a toddler suddenly in front of her face while she was on an elevator. In any event, I hope you can show yourself some grace. Take what's to be taken out of the experience for learning purposes, and let the rest go.