The Journey of Adopting a Dog with Trust Issues

Adopting a dog is always a big decision, but adopting one who has trust issues? That’s a whole different ball game. When we first met Coco, I had no idea what I was getting into. She was timid, frightened of most things, and terrified of men. But slowly, over time, she transformed into the goofy, lovable, and sometimes completely silly family dog we all adore today.

The Beginning: A Shy and Scared Pup

She wasn’t like the other dogs I’d met. When we brought her home, she was a bundle of nerves. At first, it was hard to get close to her. She would bolt out an open door in seconds. She was a master escape artist. And God forbid a man came near her—she would cower, shake, and bark incessantly. I remember my husband feeling discouraged, like Coco just couldn’t trust him. It broke my heart, because I knew she wasn’t being difficult on purpose; she was just afraid.

There were so many moments when I wondered if she would ever feel safe enough to just relax in our home. It was hard to watch, honestly. But we were committed to giving her time and patience, and we knew that trust wasn’t something that would come overnight.

The Struggles: Patience, Progress, and Setbacks

We tried everything we could think of—gentle voices, treats, creating a safe space for her—but she was still wary. Walking her outside was an ordeal, as she had obviously never been leash trained. A 40lb dog can surely pull with force. And when my husband would enter the room? It was like a switch flipped, and she would instantly bark, her body tense with anxiety.

I wanted her to realize that not everyone was out to get her. But that kind of transformation takes time, especially for a dog who’s been through difficult things. There were moments when I wish she could just tell me her story.

But we kept at it. We stayed calm, let her come on her terms, and respected her space. Slowly, very slowly, Coco started to show small signs of progress. 

The Joys: From Skittish to Goofy

After months of working with her, the change in Coco was undeniable. She started to open up. Instead of running from my husband, she would follow him around, wagging her tail. And while she still wasn’t a fan of loud noises or fast movements, she began to show her playful side. Her goofy personality started to shine through—sometimes, it felt like we were seeing a completely different dog.

Coco became the dog who would nudge me when she wanted a pet, drop her ball at my feet, and eagerly chase it in a goofy zig-zag pattern. She discovered that laying on the cold floor was just as good as playing fetch. She’d do the silliest things, like chasing her tail for what seemed like hours or attempting to "catch" shadows on the floor. We laughed until we cried at her silly ways. 

And then came the moment when she warmed up to my husband, but eventually, she started trusting men in general. It felt like the walls she had built around herself were finally coming down. Coco would sit at his feet, and even playfully paw at him when she wanted attention. It was incredible to see her evolve from the scared, anxious dog we first met into the goofy, lovable member of the family that she is now.

The Family Dog

Coco isn’t just a dog anymore—she’s part of our family. She’s the goofy, clumsy, lovable companion that everyone adores. Sure, she still gets a little nervous sometimes, especially around new people or unfamiliar places. But she’s learned that she’s safe here. She’s learned that she’s loved. And, honestly, seeing that transformation in her has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life.

Looking back, I wouldn’t change a thing. Yes, it was hard. Yes, there were moments when I doubted we could help her. But the bond we’ve built has made all those struggles worth it. She’s not the dog we thought we’d adopt—but she’s so much better than we could’ve imagined.

Coco is our goofy, dumb, lovable family dog and our official GoodWalk Collars mascot, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. She’s the proof that with time, patience, and love, even the most frightened and broken souls can learn to trust again.