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Molly’s Story

Molly, a two year old collie cross, came as a rescue from Romania, a journey of over 36 hours. She was then rehomed in Scotland, but bit the new adopter, and finally found herself in the home of Mark and Julie. 

Mark and Julie are experienced dog owners but didn’t know how to help Molly with her severe behavioural issues – she wouldn’t get in the car at all, would stop on walks and not move for half an hour at a time. Although generally loving and friendly to other people and dogs, she tried to bite another vet that came to the house – who advised that she be put to sleep, as she was dangerous. 

On first meeting Molly in the garden, it was clear that she was very anxious and that the recent traumatic events in being transported from Romania, had left deep wounds. She barked at me on the doorstep and would only let me cross when distracted with chicken. I sat on a chair and avoided eye contact. Molly didn’t take her eyes off my movements, particularly where my hands were. 

Mark and Julie were doing their best to provide her with the perfect home but realised that if she wouldn’t get in the car, they couldn’t take her to all the lovely places they had planned. She also had some health issues but wouldn’t let anyone who she didn’t know near her. 

I made an initial assessment of Molly’s behaviour by carefully observing her reactions to me, while talking through everything that had happened with Mark and Julie. All the while I was feeding Molly treats. Initially I had to put them on the floor some way away but after forty minutes or so she would come and take them from my hand, give me a paw and let me pat her.  

At this stage I knew that while I could stroke Molly’s ears and neck, it was on her terms. At one point I unzipped my bag, the sudden noise made her jump and snap. 

I explained the situation to Mark and Julie from Molly’s point of view – she had come a long way in a car, the journey had been unpleasant and scary, so she wasn’t going to get in another one. On the way some people were nice, but some were probably rough or shouted or were impatient – she didn’t know who she could trust. Sometimes the new situation, new noises and people and smells, was so overwhelming that she just stood still in a kind of nervous collapse, and other things set her on edge. 

We talked about starting some behavioural training – playing  a game with treats, just near the car to start with, and also some muzzle training. Although I couldn’t do a full hands-on examination, I could recommend some treatments for Molly’s itchiness and also some anxiety relieving tablets that would  help her to relax and participate in the training of new routines – getting used to a muzzle and seeing the car in a different light, enjoying the new experiences around her rather than seeing everything as a threat. 

Mark was very good at keeping in touch about Molly via email and when I went to see them all four weeks later, she was making very good progress. She was no longer itchy. She hadn’t stopped on any walks and would happily go wherever Julie suggested. She had jumped into the front and the back of the car after treats. She was also excited to see her muzzle come out as she knew she would get chicken! 

There is still a long way to go. Behavioural changes are slow and have to be done at the dog’s pace, but with such dedicated owners and some understanding of how the doggy mind works Molly, Mark and Julie are well on their way to a happier life for all of them.