Will lock down have suited my new rescue dog?

[Queen Victoria]

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I got my very anxious stressed rescue dog just before lock down. Since then she has come out of her shell a little and is beginning to trust me. But no one else has come into the house.So will lock down have been good for her just getting used to me or bad for her because she’s not used to anyone coming to the house?

 

[JudyN]

I reckon on balance, it's a good thing. If she was highly stressed, then people coming to the house could have made it much harder for her to settle.

When people can come to the house again, you'll need to go very slowly though. Maybe start off by, each time you come home, ringing the doorbell and coming in so the doorbell has good associations. Or simply stand there with the door open, ring the doorbell and give her a treat.

I'd actually establish a safe place for her (bed/crate) and teach her to go there for a treat when the doorbell rings - it'll be a lot easier all round if she's not standing by the door when you open it to someone.

You could then progress to getting a friend to come round, ring the doorbell, but not come in when you open the door - just say hello. If it's someone she's already made friends with outside the house, all the better. Then just carry on with baby steps.

 

[Queen Victoria]

That’s a really good idea thank you.