Michelle Hanley, a 53-year-old teacher, sought companionship after her children left home. Growing up with a German Shepherd, she decided to bring a dog back into her life and chose an Italian Greyhound for its gentle and affectionate nature. Welcoming 12-week-old Dante, Michelle was pleased with her decision.
Initially, everything went smoothly with Dante, but at around eight months old, his behavior shifted dramatically following negative encounters with other dogs. These incidents made Dante anxious, causing him to bark and pull on walks when encountering other dogs.
Despite seeking help from a local trainer, Dante’s behavior worsened, leading Michelle to feel overwhelmed and considering giving him up. However, everything changed when she connected with Woodgreen, a charity supporting pets and their owners across the UK.
After reaching out to Woodgreen around 18 months ago, Michelle received support from Steph Drake, Woodgreen’s lead outreach officer. Through observing Dante’s behavior and subtle signs of stress, Steph identified his fear-based aggression and taught Michelle how to read Dante’s body language and respond calmly in stressful situations.
Woodgreen aims to ensure every pet has a healthy home and supports owners to make it possible. Working closely with owners, they intervene before crises lead to separations, providing care and shelter for pets until they find new homes.
Following Steph’s guidance, Michelle implemented changes like shorter, quieter walks for Dante and managing her own emotions, which were affecting his behavior. This approach has been transformational, with Dante showing significant improvement and Michelle feeling confident about changing his behavior completely.
Michelle appreciates Steph’s approach, emphasizing the importance of building trust with Dante to reassure him during walks. With perseverance and hard work, Dante has become more confident and relaxed, enjoying activities like beach visits and off-leash walks.
Steph reflects on Dante’s progress, noting his significant transformation and Michelle’s dedication to his training. Dante’s improved behavior is a testament to Michelle’s commitment and the valuable support provided by Woodgreen.
