After Michelle Hanley’s children moved out, she felt the need to fill the void in her home. Returning to her love for dogs, she decided to bring an Italian Greyhound, named Dante, into her life due to their gentle nature. Initially, everything went smoothly with Dante, but his behavior took a negative turn at around eight months old after some incidents with aggressive dogs.
Dante started exhibiting anxiety, barking, and pulling on walks after these encounters. Michelle sought help from a local trainer, but Dante’s behavior continued to worsen, causing her distress and making her hesitant to walk him. Feeling overwhelmed, Michelle even considered giving Dante up despite her strong attachment to him.
The situation took a positive turn when Michelle reached out to Woodgreen, a charity in Cambridgeshire that supports pets and their owners across the UK. With the help of Woodgreen’s lead outreach officer, Steph Drake, Michelle learned to understand Dante’s stress signals and respond calmly in challenging situations by reading his body language.
Woodgreen aims to ensure every pet has a loving home and supports owners in keeping their pets by providing guidance and intervention when needed. Through Steph’s advice, Michelle made changes in Dante’s routine, such as shorter walks and ending on a positive note, while also addressing her own emotions that were affecting Dante’s behavior.
The transformation in Dante’s behavior has been remarkable, with Michelle now feeling confident that his behavior can be completely changed. Steph’s approach and guidance have been instrumental in improving Dante’s confidence and overall demeanor, allowing him to enjoy outings and activities with Michelle. Michelle’s dedication and belief in Steph’s methods have led to significant progress, creating a happier environment for both Dante and herself.
