Dove

My story

UPDATE on Dove 6-7-2025: Dove is a 16 month old, 35ish lb, Chocolate Lab who was "used" as an Amish breeder dog that GRRAND took in, in 2024.  When they were "finished" with her, she was placed with a young woman who was told by the breeder that she was a little timid, but would come around in a few days.  As we know with unsocialized breeder dogs, that’s NOT the way it works!  We've had a trainer working with Dove and she's now walking better on a leash - inside the kennel boundaries. She will probably never be the dog you take for walks as Dove will be happiest in a very calm, (no kids or chaos) patient, and emotionally secure home with a secure above ground fenced yard (she will be a big flight risk) and another confident/stable dog to show her how to trust people and help build her own confidence. Her people will need to be experienced and committed to giving her the time, and having the patience she will need to go through her adjustments. Dove is most comfortable around other confident dogs. She is making slow but sure progress thanks to the hard work and determination of the GRRAND kennel staff. The work is not done, but the signs are there she will be ok!   From her intake 2024 "A young lady surrendered Dove to GRRAND almost six months ago. She had been deceived by an Amish breeder, claiming Dove was 'shy', and assuring the young lady she was getting an exceptional deal and that Dove would quickly come around.  It turned out Dove had almost completely shut down, so overwhelmed with fear of people that all she wanted to do was escape. It's heartbreaking how slow progress has been, but the good news is, there is progress. She has such fear in her eyes. She will poop and pee if a stranger approaches her in her kennel. She runs in the play yard with several other friendly dogs, but rarely interacts with any of them. She will not come up to a volunteer, even for a treat. We were told by a trainer that many other rescues would have euthanized a dog that was 'so broken'. But that's not GRRAND. On the improvement side, we now have her on a long leash following the trainers around the play yard. People she's very familiar with can sit in her run, pet her, and leave treats at her feet.. She understands when it's time to come in from the play yard, and will run to her kennel on command. She now has a roommate (Ivy), and we're seeing them snuggle next to each other. Dove has never shown any aggression to animals or people.  We are still a long way from being able to send Dove home and progress is slow, but it's there, and one day in the not too distant future we look forward to seeing that twinkle in her eye that all dogs get when they realize they are safe and loved. Please keep Dove in your thoughts and follow her progress."  She is going to need TIME... LOTS OF TIME! And PATIENCE... LOTS OF PATIENCE. Dogs like Dove who have never known love and affection from people, have to work through everything on their own time... not ours. We are still learning about Dove, but if you have had any experience with dogs like Dove, and you think you are the one to help her, please fill out an app at GRRAND.org ##2222361##

If you have any questions or would like to adopt Dove, please reach out to the adoption group directly. PetSmart Charities does not facilitate the adoption process. Thank you.