Dogs are also susceptible to trauma and anxiety. Such mental health issues can hinder a dog’s ability to live a happy life. That’s why good dog owners are expected to help their dogs recover from trauma. However, doing so is not so straightforward most of the time.
Saga was a rescued dog that experienced something horrible in his past. The dog was thrown into a ravine by a heartless person resulting in his legs being broken. When dog rescuers found Saga, several days had already passed, and the dog was barely alive.
Fortunately, Saga recovered from his injuries and was later adopted by a woman named Elise. However, his trauma made him a difficult dog to live with. He developed a fear of water that made him unable to go even in shallow bodies of water.
Elise helped Saga overcome his trauma by bringing him to shallow pools. However, Elise did that method slowly and carefully to avoid worsening Saga’s anxiety. After consistent exposure to water, the dog eventually learned to relax in a pool.
After Saga got used to being in a pool, Elise brought him to the beach. That was the next step in helping the dog overcome his fear of water. The woman consistently brought the dog to several large bodies of water until Saga no longer felt uncomfortable near them.
After overcoming his fear of water, Saga became more confident. The dog started to explore activities outside of his comfort zone. For example, he learned to participate in several of Elise’s exercise routines.
Elise is proud of what she has done for Saga. The dog was no longer fearful and traumatized as he used to be. That was due to the fact that Elise understood what it’s like to have anxiety, so she knew how to help Saga overcome it.
Source: The Dodo via YouTube.
