SHELTER STORIES
Welcome to our first official Shelter Stories post! Back in January of 2018 I accepted a position as the Canine Behavior and Training Manager at the Chemung County Humane Society and SPCA. I thought it would be fun to document some of the work we do with the dogs in our care. Today, I want to introduce you to a very special lady named Bailey.
BAILEY
Bailey is an 8 year old shepherd mix surrendered by elderly owners in Virginia who were no longer able to care for her. Having been transported up to us just 24 hours after being surrendered she was just totally overwhelmed. Every dog is stressed out by the shelter experience but Bailey was especially fearful.
One of the first things after her intake, was to take her for a walk, but she wouldn’t come out of the back of her run.
Bailey was showing textbook signs of fear including licking her lips, yawning, side glances, hunched head and shoulders, and various appeasement gestures to ward off perceived danger. I came into her run slowly, and turned sideways to try and minimize my potentially scary silhouette.
GETTING HER OUT
Out on her first walk here, she seemed to enjoy the space and freedom. I knew that outdoor activity was going to be one of our linchpins with her. In this initial walk to get acquainted, I didn’t try to touch her or make her do much more than just move with me.
On this second day, Bailey was not as eager to walk and she was terrified. Her stress had reached an apex. We did get her walking and although she wouldn’t take food she did appear to eat some food we’d left overnight.
The next day, it was time to pull out the stops. First thing I did was try to help her calm down and get to know me in a low-impact, non threatening way. I just camped outside her run, and read to her. I just wanted the steady sound to help ease her into feeling better about being in her run, and for someone to be in front of the run interacting with her. As you can see she wasn’t too sure to begin with but she eventually started to relax.
COMING AROUND
Bailey was again starting to love her walks. She was getting to know the kennel staff and would come alive when she came out of her run. All of the dogs get three walks a day and this was definitely her favorite part of the day.
By now she’d started to warm up enough and she had built enough confidence that I knew it was time to bring her into the break room. Finally, it appeared, she knew she was going to be ok.
This moment right here was significant to me because she initiated contact with our Executive Director, Tom, here, whom she’d previously been very scared of. This, to me, although brief, signaled a tremendous boost in her confidence and curiosity. Coincidentally the weather had cleared up and it was time for her to spend time in the activity pen, an idea that she readily agreed with.
No longer fearful in her run, Bailey was finally ready for the public. We got her into a bigger run on the adoption floor and I suspected this would also help give her a boost. We continued her work-to-eat meals for enrichment, play times with other dogs, and of course, her walks.
Bailey blossomed into such an awesome girl and it was so rewarding for all of us to see her become happier and carefree. A shelter, though, is no place for such a sweetheart.
Bailey was soon adopted by a loving couple. Nearly three weeks after leaving her old life, Bailey has a new beginning.
SPREAD THE LOVE
One thing I do want to mention is that I am by no means a one-man band here. Working with a dog like Bailey would be impossible without my awesome co-workers and colleagues continuing the work day in and day out. Give some love to your local shelters and rescues; I know they deserve it, and I know they’d appreciate it.
In the meantime, keep learning, keep practicing, and we’ll see you next time!
