I spent the next 4 weeks letting her do things as she wanted and tried to show her that she didn’t need to fear us. I only called her for good things, food and treats especially. When it was time for her twice-daily eye drops I always came to her. I would administer her drops in her crate but she didn’t seem to mind and eventually she would scoot to the front and put her head on my knee making it easier for both of us. Maisie and I continued to go for walks but I always announced it in front of Annie. I wanted Annie to see Maisie’s enthusiasm when the leash came out. Was I over thinking things? Maybe, but I know that actions speak louder than words so I was trying to exaggerate our actions as much as possible.

I wanted to ease Annie’s fear of leaving the yard so I would leave the back gate open and Maisie and I would walk up and down our alley when Annie was outside.  We would always stay in sight of Annie. Annie would stand on our deck and I could see her head moving back and forth while she kept an eye on us, and a couple of times she eased her way closer, almost to the gate, but she never left the yard. If I started to approach her or call her she would run back to the deck.  Sometimes I would clip the leash on while she was in the yard and just let her drag it around behind her, trying, trying, trying to get her to not hate the leash.

I tried to introduce the basement family room using the outside entrance. It was only a ½ flight of stairs and there was a big comfy couch that she could enjoy if I could just get her to go down there and through that door. I had tried to get her down there before but she put the brakes on and wouldn’t move. For days I sat down there with the door open, calling her name. She would look through the opening to see me, but if I got up or approached her at all she would run away. I didn’t want to pull her against her will, so I just kept waiting for her to do it on her own. It was February in Chicago so one day as I sat wrapped in blankets watching her watch me with cold air rushing through the house I decided to put the leash on her and give her a gentle tug, and she came down! Once I got the door closed I backed off, got on the couch with Maisie and let Annie take her time sniffing and exploring this new space in our house. Eventually she curled up on the floor next to me and went to sleep. Navigating a new set of stairs and doorway as well as learning about a new room had exhausted her but she was able to relax and had shown me once again that with time and patience she was willing to try new things. The very next day she followed me down with no hesitation, climbed up on the couch and curled up next to me as if there was never an issue.