09/24/2026
Good things take time. ❤️
This dog came to me terrified.
She wouldn’t take food. She wouldn’t play. She didn’t want me near her or her owner, and when she felt scared or pressured, she tried to bite out of fear. She simply hadn’t had much experience with other people or new environments.
So we slowed down.
I didn’t force interaction. I didn’t push past her boundaries. I focused on backing off, allowing her and her owner to get comfortable, earning her trust, and showing her that I would listen when she said she was uncomfortable.
I couldn’t touch her until our fourth lesson, and even then it was only briefly.
But eventually, she started welcoming my presence. She played with me. She began looking to me for guidance when something felt scary.
And by the end of our journey, I could take her for a walk away from her owner, in a completely new environment she had never experienced before.
I could’ve thrown on some gloves, pushed her past her comfort zone, and told myself she was trying to be “in control.” That wouldn’t have built trust. It wouldn’t have made her feel safe. And it wouldn’t have created the relationship we have now.
Patience isn’t doing nothing - It’s giving a dog the time, space, and support they need to learn that the world isn’t quite as scary as they thought it was.
Good things take time. And sometimes, the best progress is the progress you can’t rush. ❤️
