Anxiety in Dogs Series - Article 4 - The Before and After

Anxiety in Dogs Series - Article 4

HOW IT ALL BEGAN

Over the last few blogs we have discussed that anxiety in dogs can be subtle, a little about me and the work I do and what 'miss-takes' to avoid when building your dog's confidence.

Today I want to offer a deeper insight into what can be achieved with love, patience, understanding and the power of holistic animal wellness by sharing the story of a client and her wonderful dog.

Jen and Lucky's Story

During lockdown my client, Jen, found herself with time on her hands and decided to give a loving home to a dog in need. She felt that rehoming an adult dog would be a better fit for her circumstances, avoiding the housetraining and teething issues that often come with puppies.

Anyone who attempted to rehome a dog from a UK rescue centre during lockdown will know that it was as difficult as catching a hen in a 40-acre-field - practically impossible!

As a result, a growing number of rehoming centres focusing on the plight of foreign street dogs emerged. This is where Jen's journey with Lucky began.

Jen selected Lucky online, and one afternoon, she was delivered with nothing more than a vaccination card and the knowledge that she had been picked up from the streets of Romania.

From the moment Lucky arrived, it was evident that she had never lived in a house or experienced kindness from humans. She immediately took refuge behind the sofa and stayed there for nearly three months. Jen had to leave food out and exit the room, as Lucky was too anxious to eat in her presence. She refused to go outside, and toileting happened whenever and wherever - venturing into the garden was unthinkable.

Jen began to question what she had taken on. This was a far cry from the loyal companion she had dreamed of cuddling with on lazy afternoon and sharing countryside walks with!

A New Approach

Desperate for help, Jen contacted a local dog trainer, but until Lucky came out from behind the sofa, there was little the trainer could do. Frustrated and exhausted, Jen turned to a Romanian rescue Facebook page, where a previous client of mine saw her plea and connected us.

Over the course of several months, Jen and I worked together to build Lucky's confidence through the remarkable power of plant medicine.

Little by little, Lucky began to engage with the botanicals, and during one Zoom call, she took the courageous step on sitting on the floor beside Jen. It was an emotional moment for us both.

From there Lucky continued to grow in confidence, eventually taking tentative steps outside one more. Today she enjoys walks and Jen finally has the dog she had dreamed of.

Lucky is still a work in progress but Jen has shared that in her darkest moments, when all she could do was interact with Lucky through her botanical offerings, she felt as though they were truly communicating. This connection made the world a less frightening place for Lucky.

Not every dog I work with has extreme anxiety like Lucky, but many dogs suffer with anxiety in one way or another. Lucky's story had a happy ending - your dog's could too.

If you would like to start your dog's journey towards confidence, please get in touch.

All my courses are delivered by zoom, so you don't even have to leave the comfort of your home.

To learn more about my programmes click here.

Let's chat about the best way to support your dog.
Email: caninesenses@btinternet.com