Michelle Hanley, a 53-year-old teacher whose children had recently left home, felt the need to fill the void in her empty nest. Growing up with a German Shepherd, she decided it was time to bring a dog back into her life and chose an Italian Greyhound for their gentle and affectionate nature. Welcoming 12-week-old Dante into her home, Michelle was convinced she had made the right choice.
Initially, everything went smoothly with Dante. However, at around eight months old, his behavior took a sharp turn after negative encounters with other dogs. Michelle recalled two incidents where dogs showed aggression towards Dante, causing him to become anxious and reactive towards other dogs during walks.
Seeking help from a local trainer proved unsuccessful as Dante’s behavior continued to deteriorate, leading Michelle to feel overwhelmed and anxious whenever she saw other dogs on walks. Despite her love for Dante, she even considered giving him up due to the challenging situation.
Fortunately, Michelle discovered Woodgreen, a charity based in Cambridgeshire that supports pet owners across the UK. With a wide range of services, including expert advice, in-home support, and rehoming assistance, Woodgreen aims to ensure every pet has a happy and healthy home.
Upon contacting the charity, Michelle was connected with Steph Drake, Woodgreen’s lead outreach officer, who visited her in Bedford to observe Dante’s behavior firsthand. Steph identified signs of stress in Dante and explained that his aggression stemmed from fear, not malice.
Steph taught Michelle how to interpret Dante’s body language and respond calmly in stressful situations. By reassuring Dante with a calm voice and positive reinforcement during walks, Michelle noticed a significant improvement in Dante’s behavior.
Woodgreen’s mission is to support pet owners and keep pets with their families, intervening before a crisis leads to separation. When rehoming is necessary, Woodgreen ensures pets receive the care and love they deserve until they find a new home.
Implementing Steph’s recommendations, such as shorter and quieter walks, positive reinforcement, and managing her own emotions during walks, Michelle saw a remarkable transformation in Dante’s behavior. The once challenging situation is now largely under control, with only occasional issues.
Michelle expressed gratitude for Steph’s guidance, emphasizing the importance of building trust with Dante and understanding his needs. Through perseverance and hard work, Michelle and Dante have made significant progress, with Dante becoming more confident, happy, and relaxed.
Reflecting on the positive changes in Dante, Steph commended Michelle’s dedication and effort in transforming Dante’s behavior, noting his newfound confidence and freedom to explore the world with Michelle.