Two things are happening in this clip...
1) she is allowing more contact with less uncertainty
2) we finally placed a collar on her and it went very smoothly
A third thing is also happening that we want you to take note of: her body language. She is licking her lips every minute or so and you can see her do it, here. That can be submission but, in her case, we believe it is nervousness. She is unsure about the casual contact. She has not be engaged with eye contact the last week. You will see, however, she is making it, now. She isn't entirely avoiding of eye contact, after a week of work!! We have respected her and asked permission for most of the intrusions we have made. Trust building.
Thank God our friends at MCAS asked us to consider her. They really do go above and beyond to help the animals that find themselves at the shelter. We love and respect our partners at the county animal shelter and we can only hope the rest of the community truly appreciates the blood, sweat and tears these folks pour into their jobs!
We digress...
Momma dog is learning trust and that was our first order of business. She needs a name and we have yet to work on leash. This has been baby steps. Each day we sit inside the van with her (secure and cool, away from the chaos of the house and not on the dirt). It's super uncomfortable but it's the only way to find air conditioned seclusion.
It's also super inconvenient to have to move her around in the 36 inch crate like Hannibal Lecter... but we won't put the puppy at risk for Parvo and we won't rush things with the leash. It took us 8 days to get the collar on and the leash will take patience, as well. She had the lead clipped, today. But that was too much, too soon.
She hasn't offered to bite us and trusts us with her baby. She eats gently from our hand and is allowing touch over most of her body, without reaction. She hasn't acted aggressively toward the cat, either. We are optimistic that she will turn a corner in her rehab and learn to relax. She is ready for the right foster home... and she comes with a bonus puppy!
Ocala FL
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