Dona came to us as a very nervous and skittish girl, but during her time with us she has blossomed into such a sweet and endearing character. We are incredibly proud of the progress she has made and love seeing her confidence grow a little more every day.
Dona absolutely loves other dogs and we feel a confident canine companion will be really important for her future. She takes great comfort from other dogs and has become much more relaxed and confident when she has them around. We would therefore like her to live with another friendly, confident dog who can help show her the ropes and give her reassurance as she continues to discover the world.
Her confidence with people has also come on beautifully. Dona has gone from being very unsure of us to now approaching us for a little fuss, which might sound like a small thing, but for Dona it is a huge step. She is such a sweet girl and those little moments of trust are incredibly rewarding.
Luckily, Dona is a real foodie, which makes gaining her trust a little easier! She is very motivated by tasty treats and we have been able to use this to help her build positive associations with people and new experiences. She is clever and willing to learn when she feels safe, and we are continuing to gently expand her world at her own pace.
Dona is beginning to learn how to walk on lead and is making progress, but she will always be a naturally flighty girl. If something worries or startles her, her instinct is likely to be to get away, so secure handling and appropriate equipment will be essential. Her adopter will need to understand nervous dogs and be prepared to continue building her confidence without rushing her.
We feel Dona would benefit enormously from someone who can enjoy the journey with her. Gaining her trust, seeing her take those little steps forward and watching her personality continue to emerge will be incredibly rewarding.
Dona has lived in a home before, so she has some experience of home life. She can be unsure around unfamiliar men entering her space, so care will need to be taken when visitors come into the home. She may bark or become worried initially, and her new family will need to manage introductions calmly and give her the time and space she needs to feel comfortable.
A secure garden will be essential while Dona continues to build her confidence with walks. It will give her a safe place to enjoy some outdoor time without putting too much pressure on her while she learns that the world isn’t such a scary place.
Dona has not yet been cat tested, so we don’t know how she would feel about living with cats at this stage.
We are so proud of Dona and everything she has achieved since arriving with us. She has already come such a long way, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds for this very special girl. With patience, understanding, a confident doggy friend and someone willing to let her blossom at her own pace, we truly believe Dona has the potential to become a wonderful companion.
Adoption fee: £250
