Trauma Reactions Explained by a Psychologist in Calgary: The Dog and the Work Boots Story
The Dog and the Work Boots: Why You’re Still Triggered and What to Do About It Imagine a rescue dog. She’s been taken in from a bad situation. The shelter is safe, the people are kind, the food is regular. But every time someone wearing work boots comes near her, she growls. Her tail tucks. She backs into the corner. The people at the shelter know she’s safe. They know they’re not going to hurt her. But her nervous system doesn't believe it yet. This story might seem like it’s about animals. But it’s actually about us. At ShiftGrit Psychology & Counselling in Calgary, we often start therapy with a simple question: what’s your version of the work boots? Because just like the dog, our nervous systems carry forward experiences long after they’re over. That’s why no matter how much you tell yourself “It’s different now,” your body still reacts. You freeze. You over-explain. You pick a fight. You shut down. You say yes when you mean no. These responses are not about wha...