Darong was once a happy dog that was born in a Korean household. She was well-loved by her family because she was so gentle, playful, and loving. But when she was nine years old, this all changed. And for the next four years, she avoided being touched by any person, including her owner.
Trauma
it seemed that the dog would have a seizure every time someone reaches out to her. When she notices a hand coming near, especially when it’s above her head, she would look up, take a step back, and convulse.
Her owner wondered why her pooch suddenly changed. She tried almost anything to change her behavior. She would talk to her gently and give her treats all the time. But she would only get the food if it was on the ground and no one is touching it.
It really broke her heart to see her beloved pet like this. She would remember the times when they would play together. Darong would have piggyback rides on her owner and would frequently come up for hugs. She loved to be petted on the head and given belly rubs.
But now, she couldn’t even clean her up and groom her.
Change
The owner became desperate to once gain touch and nurture her dog so they sought professional help. An animal behaviorist came in to assess the situation and they discovered the source of her trauma.
Four years ago, the dog witnessed a very distressing scene. Her mother was beaten by a man until she was killed. She developed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder because of that.
They needed to change her perception that humans are scary. So they started a therapy session.
They placed the dog inside an enclosed area with her owner and she gently and slowly waved her hand above her head. They wanted her to see that she won’t get hurt by the human hand. They did this several times.
Eventually, the lady was able to touch her dog. She became very emotional as it has been a long time since she had done that. She vows to keep on going with the therapy until her dog fully realizes that she is safe and loved.
Source: SBS TV via Youtube
