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Etta has no idea what to think of Olive. Neither do we really. See Olive came from, well, a family that maybe shouldn’t have owned dogs. When I met her I could see that she was underfed and VERY scared of people. I wasn’t sure that she was “my dog” since she wouldn’t even come near me, but my heart told me that I needed to help this girl out.
She is super sweet. Doesn’t have a single aggressive bone in her body, doesn’t bark, and gets along with the other dogs smashingly. And look how beautiful she is! Her black coat is so shiny — totally stunning dog.
Problem is this: she is very withdrawn. We have had her here since New Years Eve and I still don’t feel like we have seen her personality. Poor thing has the weight of the world on her shoulders. I can’t tell if she is happy/ sad, cold/ hot, hungry…etc.. It is super sad to see an animal in such emotional distress.
I am worried that she will never open up, she doesn’t trust people anymore. She knows her new name, but she won’t come to it. In fact, if you want to pick her up you have to chase her around the house. I am doing everything I can think of to make her comfortable, but it isn’t working. I bought her a new bed, we have been taking her on walks, feeding her yummy food. Olive is so timid that she wouldn’t take a treat from my hand until yesterday. I have to beg her to eat too, for some reason she is scared of meal time.
If anyone has experience with a withdrawn animal, I’d love to know what came of it. She is such a gentle animal, I can’t believe that anyone hurt her. But now I don’t know how to bring her back and I want to so badly!
Cessie really likes her, which shocks me since she isn’t that into any other dog she has met. That must mean something right!!
Noelle was like that when I first got her — it took several months for her to accept me as her “family” and she is only now starting to trust G enough to let him pet her without being on a leash and being forced. Time and effort is what it boils down to; whatever you do, don’t force her. Just spend a lot of time around her — not touching her unless she comes and touches you first. Do things like sit on the floor so you are accessible to her and reward her with cookies or bits of meat. Make sure she sees you interacting with the other dogs positively and give her plenty of time with them alone as well. Noelle really came out of her shell with G and I moved in together and she saw how Sam and Dixie acted and reacted with us.
I had actually read in a magazine a couple of weeks ago about something similar and the advice given was to talk to the dog directly as much as possible. If you are going into a room – look at her and say “Olive, would you like to come with me?” and tell her directly how much you love her and how special she is. I think the key was to directly speak to the dog and use calm, loving words.
I’m sure she will come around – she is just beautiful!!
olive is so lucky to have you!
she will open up. you are doing everything right. it just takes time.
xo
m & e