Tink

Tink will need a very specific, very patient home. Tink is frightened of people. All people. No matter what age or gender, it takes her a long time to feel safe in the company of people.

However, she loves other dogs, all other dogs, she will happily play all day as long as the scary people don’t interrupt.

There are some specific things Tink will need in her new home.

• Another dog who is confident and playful
• A relatively quiet, calm home
• Someone who has some experience with fearful dogs and dog training who is willing to put in the time to gain her trust.
• Slow and repeated introductions so that she can get to know her new family and feel comfortable with them.

Tink came to us as a terrified 4 month old pup. She would find a safe corner or hiding spot and shiver until she was sure no one was around.

She would shake uncontrollably when we picked her up. She refused to eat ad drink in front of us and would wait until we were safely in bed until she felt safe enough to have her dinner or have a drink.

As luck would have it, my partner was injured and off work at the time Tink came into care. They spent 7 long weeks on the couch together. Gradually, Tink felt safe enough to leave her corner and investigate the house. She started following the two resident dogs outside and after a few weeks realised that the dog door was not so scary and the toilet is outside.

She gains a lot of confidence from the other dogs, seeing them doing things means that she may be safe doing them as well. She started to feel confident eating and drinking in front of us as after watching them eat at meal times while she shivered in the corner.

Gradually she followed the other dogs into the kitchen and realised that that was the place for extra food. This was when she started taking treats from our hands. This was a big step, as a terrified dog needs pretty strong motivation to come to people she is scared of. Luckily she is also quite food motivated.

Once you gain her trust, Tink the terrified becomes Tink-a-Saurus-Rex – Destroyer of Worlds, toilet rolls and fluffy things. She is super playful, loves her toys.

After 7 months in care Tink now feels safe enough to play with us in her safe places (Couch & Bed) she would pounce on our hands and play little jumpy games with us. she is always super gentle with her mouth when playing or taking treats. This has now graduated to the yard, she loves running around and playing chaseys in the yard and bouncing around like a gazelle and pouncing on moths, but will always stay just out of arms reach.

We have begun to take her to different places outside of her comfort zone and she is starting calmly explore the ones she has been to three or four times.

She will absolutely need a doggy playmate who she can draw confidence from. A kind confident dog to help show her the world is not such a scary place.

If you think you can offer Tink a great life please send me an email with some information about yourself and what you can offer her.