Isabella

Isabella is a 6 month old nervous pup. Not had the best start to life and is really fearful of new people.

We took her in the enrichment room today and just gave her space, gently throwing out treats.

You can see in the first video clip how fearful she is, looking for a way to escape. Slow hesitant movements and very prone to startle from the slightest noise or movement from me.

In the second video you can see she has grown a little more confident and come in closer to lick the liver paste from the snake but she is still keeping an eye on me for any moves towards her. Her tail is still firmly between her legs.

I cannot emphasise enough how important it is to allow dogs to approach us and NOT call them or lure them over.

Shortly after this she came over to sniff and then jumped on the sofa and sat behind me, sniffing.

Patience is key to working with fearful dogs. I got down on the floor and look where we ended up!

It's a hard job but someone has to do it ;)

#Lovemywork