Terrified dog takes brave first steps out of carrier in new furever home after spending 11 weeks frozen in fear thanks to new pawrent’s patience: ‘He comes out and says hi to me.’

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Laurent Shinar • Writer and Editor
Sep 21, 2026 8:15 AM EDT

When you bring a dog home from the shelter, breeder or rescue you really do not know what you are in for. Sure you might be told about the canine's character but even if it is the truth, the way that doggo will behave around someone else is certainly not how it will behave with you. Which brings us to this story of the poor pupper who was so traumatised from this last home that he did not willingly leave his crate for 11 worrisome weeks.

Can you imagine how harrowing that must have been for both the family and the dog? All you want as a hooman is to love on and be loved upon by the dog who has chosen to live with you. It is a magical feeling and one that attracts a lot of hoomans to canine pawrenthood. But all that expectation can quite easily work against you and before you know it you can find yourself seriously let down by a doggo who cannot see past the things that were once done to them.

Thankfully, this tough situation did not phase the pupper's pawrents who instead took it upon themselves to dedicate the time, effort and love to make this dog feel safe and loved once more, or perhaps for the first time in its life. It is this exact kind of care and dedication to doggo kind that we need more off in this life. So if you or someone you know is in a similar situation just remember that love and dedication will see you through.
 

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    "I think! see some light at the end of the tunnel but it is definitely taking some time."
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    White and brown dog lying in crate.

    Model representation. 


     

  • 02
    Shelter dog still won't leave crate after 4 weeks
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    I adopted a 1 year old Cavapoo named Jack from a shelter 4 weeks ago. He did not "get along with children" with his previous owners. He was only there for 1
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    month, not sure what his history is before that. He won't come out of his crate on his own. I'm doing my best to take him outside 3x a day to relieve
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    himself wearing a harness. I'm carrying him to the grass and he'll walk (run) back on his own on the leash. I have an in- home dog trainer coming by late next week to evaluate.
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    We're also starting Γ. c. He's terrified of every noise (especially children) and will start shaking. It's just me in my household but there are kids he can hear outside. I
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  • Oh brother, this is a doggo with trauma that begins with a capital T. You see, the thing is that when a young pupper like this goes through whatever it went through, the event leaves a lasting impression. And that impression does not necessarily fade over time. It can even exponentially worsen if not carefully watched. So while it is good that it is being dealt with, the utmost care and concern have to be employed to get this pup back on track. How can someone have been so cruel and unkind to a literal puppy?
     

  • 07
    managed to get a mobile groomer to shave and get the mats out which couldn't have been comfortable. I just want him to feel safe enough to come out of the crate on his own. I tried using a
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  • 08
    slip lead instead of the harness but he wouldn't move on his own. Looking for any advice or success stories similar to his background you guys might have. I
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    know the 3-3-3 timeline but that is looking unrealistic. Appreciate your responses UPDATE: Well, 11ish weeks later, we made some progress! I attached
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    CA
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    a pen around his crate slightly after this post. He comes out and says hi to me. Brushes up against me and asks for pets. He's laid down next to me and took a nap.
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    He won't step more than 2ft out of his pen though for treats. Grabs the treats and runs back inside. I'm letting him explore at his own pace. Putting a rug at the front of his pen seems to have helped.
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  • While these might not come across as a big deal, they most certainly are. The very fact that this doggo even moved an inch in the company of the new hooman he fears is incredible. It shows a willingness to overcome and not let the fear hold onto it, as well as a favoring of their new hooman. From here you can only hope for gradual, slow paced development that does not meet too many barriers that cause back slides. Not that there is anything we can do to prevent the inevitable backsliding of a progressive process. 
     

  • 13
    Walks have gotten worse outside but better putting his harness on and off. He unfortunately got a UTI somehow (vet thinks it's breed related). He now
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  • 14
    refuses to potty outside. We will go for a short walk (5 minutes), then he'll run back inside and ask for a puppy pad to pon. Not sure
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    how to break this habit. If I stay outside, he starts freaking out by frantically pacing and spinning in circles.
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    He's still on P. .. ☐e. Also started calming supplements for nighttime. I have an adaptil diffuser. Plenty of toys and towels to chew on. I
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    think the 3-3-3 timeline has turned into 6 weeks- 6 months -9 or 12 months. We're still working with a trainer on desensitization and
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    finding ways to build his confidence like mini obstacle courses inside the pen. I appreciate all the replies and advice from before. I think I
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    Cheezburger Image 10663725824
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    see some light at the end of the tunnel but it is definitely taking some time.
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weeks dogs spending brave fear Terrifying patience reddit story steps pawrents dog story frozen furever home carrier
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