Michelle Hanley, a 53-year-old teacher, sought companionship after her children moved out, leading her to adopt an Italian Greyhound named Dante. Initially, Dante’s gentle nature won Michelle over, but his behavior took a turn for the worse after negative encounters with aggressive dogs. This caused Dante to become anxious and reactive towards other dogs during walks.
Despite seeking help from a local trainer, Dante’s behavior worsened, leaving Michelle feeling overwhelmed and considering giving him up. Fortunately, she found support from Woodgreen, a charity dedicated to assisting pets and their owners. With guidance from Woodgreen’s lead outreach officer, Steph Drake, Michelle learned to understand Dante’s stress signals and respond appropriately to ease his anxiety.
By implementing changes such as shorter walks on quieter routes and ending walks positively, Michelle saw a significant improvement in Dante’s behavior. Steph also highlighted the impact of Michelle’s own emotions on Dante’s anxiety, emphasizing the need for a calm and confident demeanor during walks.
Through consistent efforts and trust-building exercises, Dante’s behavior has transformed, with Michelle now feeling confident that his issues can be fully resolved. Steph commended Michelle’s dedication and the positive changes in Dante, noting his increased confidence and relaxation in various environments.
Woodgreen’s holistic approach aims to keep pets and owners together through proactive support and intervention, ensuring every pet has a safe and loving home. For those in need of assistance with their pets, Woodgreen offers a range of services to address behavioral issues and strengthen the bond between pets and their owners.