About Rowan

Meet Rowan

Rowan is the reason my business even exists.

He isn’t just my dog, he’s my daily reminder that dog gear needs to work in real life, not just look good.

 

Rowan’s Story

I met Rowan at the animal shelter where I volunteered in Illinois. He was a “custodial” dog, meaning he had been brought in by Animal Control while his owner was arrested in a domestic violence situation, losing their housing and preventing them from caring for him.

Custodial placements can happen for many reasons: medical emergencies, housing loss, domestic violence situations, or other life events. The shelter’s goal was always to keep pets with their people whenever possible, and I saw firsthand how much effort went into supporting both animals and their families.

When Rowan’s custodial period ended and no arrangements were made for his return, he became available for foster or adoption. After spending about a month in foster care with no adopters, my husband and I brought him home.

We adopted Rowan when he was about 2½ years old. He’s almost 11 now.

 

Life with an Exceptional Dog

Rowan lives for critter chasing! 

Rabbits, squirrels, elk, coyotes, and any interesting scent trail we come across while hiking. I don’t want to suppress those instincts; they’re part of who he is. Instead, my goal has always been management: giving him the freedom to sniff, stalk, and explore while still keeping him and everyone around us safe. 

After several incidents where loose dogs attacked Rowan, his feelings about the world have changed. He became reactive to certain dogs and specific body language.

Rowan sitting on the couch and looking out the window, showing his shaved and sutured patches after he was attacked by an off-leash dog.

 This is what a loose Akita did to my 85 lb boy! 

Living with a dog-reactive dog reshapes everything from daily walks to long-term planning. You become more aware, more prepared, and more intentional about where you walk, and when. You learn to read other dog’s body language, manage your own dog’s space, and anticipate situations before they happen.

As part of my education on working with reactive dogs as well as dogs with a strong prey drive, I made a very intentional choice about how I manage Rowan's behavior. I do not use choke collars, prong collars, or shock collars on my dog. I believe in training and handling that prioritizes trust, communication, and safety - not fear or pain. 

Positive reinforcement allows Rowan to feel secure while still learning boundaries, and it has shaped how I think about management techniques, equipment reliability, and how to partner with my dog.

Living with a strong, prey-driven, reactive dog, and choosing humane, fear-free management methods, has made me incredibly particular about my equipment. 

My dog gear is my safety system.

Buckles, clips, webbing, stitching, and proper fit all matter when a dog lunges, or chases a rabbit, only to hit the end of a leash with full force. Rowan is the reason I test products thoroughly, modify designs as needed, and create options for people who want equipment that supports control without coercion.

Learn more about the equipment we use.

 

What My Dog Taught Me (and Why It Matters to You)

Rowan is the dog I test with. He’s the reason I’m picky.

Because of him:

  • I pay attention to hardware strength, not just aesthetics

  • I think about how gear performs when a dog lunges, or goes completely “chase-brain”

  • I design and modify products with real dogs and real challenges in mind

The Exceptional Dog Shop doesn't offer products based on trending colors or patterns.

Instead, I design and refine equipment based on years of hands-on experience with my own dog and the many dogs I’ve worked with through over 10 years of volunteering. I incorporate other dog guardians testing, and customer feedback from people like you.

If you have a dog who is strong, reactive, anxious, or just exceptional - I see you.