Pretty rescue Sprocker Joy was rescued by a UK dog charity from a breeding farm in Ireland. She was aged about two when she was rehomed. She was finding domestic life pretty challenging. She hid in her crate for the first week, too scared to venture out. Once she did, she was fearful of her humans, of sudden noises and of going in the garden. Like so many rescue dogs, poor Joy was living in her ‘fight or flight’ mode.
After a few sessions she slept soundly
Joy was very scared during her first session and stood pretty still. I worked slowly, encouraging her body into its ‘rest and digest’ mode, the parasympathetic nervous system. Joy’s eyes began to close and her head to nod. She sat for a short time which for a rescue dog with an unknown human in a new environment is a big deal. She relaxed more in each session and by the fourth week she lay down immediately and by the end was curled up sleeping soundly.
Joy’s behaviour changed after the first session and continued to improve as time went on. She now has maintenance sessions to avoid any nervous tension build up and to promote relaxation.
‘Joy is finding her feet’
“Joy improved more in the six weeks she was seeing Ruth than in the previous three months. We saw a positive change in her behaviour after the first session. She was calmer, doing things at a slower pace and more relaxed in the garden, staying out there on her own which she didn’t do previously. After two sessions we saw a new and more adventurous side to her. She began exploring new places in the house, going up to visitors and she played with a toy for the first time. After three sessions she did a zoomie while out on a walk, another first. She grew in confidence and now paws at us and engages with us. We’re so glad we gave WEBB a try. It changed Joy from a fearful girl to a happier, more confident one,.”
Alison, Joy’s mum
Ferdie was still coming for his weekly WEBB sessions when he passed away at home with suspected heart failure. RIP dear Ferdie Ferd, you were a beautiful soul.
