Watch the Moment Shut Down Husky Takes her First Dog Treat
Sitting in the shelter surrounded by the sound of barking dogs, I couldn’t help but feel the weight of the situation as I laid eyes on Princess. She’s a 10-month-old Shepherd/Husky mix, and when I first saw her, she was completely shut down. Her eyes darted around the kennel, trying to make sense of the chaos, but her body remained frozen in fear. This poor girl was paralyzed—not out of aggression, but from pure, overwhelming terror.
Princess came to Animal Friends of the Valleys in Wildomar, CA a surrender, but the details of her story are murky. The only reason listed for her being given up was “hardship,” which could mean anything from financial struggles to personal challenges. It’s unclear whether her owner called Animal Control themselves or if repeated complaints from neighbors forced them to relinquish Princess. There’s even a possibility that she was part of an illegal breeding operation, as she wasn’t spayed and didn’t have a microchip when she arrived at the shelter. Whatever the exact circumstances, it’s clear that Princess wasn’t getting the care she needed, both physically and emotionally.
The Weight of Fear
When I first sat with Princess, I didn’t bother with treats right away. In her state, she wasn’t going to respond to food or affection. Fear had taken over her entire body, freezing her in place. It’s a heartbreaking sight—her muscles were tense, and though her eyes darted around, her body was completely immobile. It was like her brain was trying to process what was happening, but her body simply wouldn’t let her respond. This is what prolonged stress and fear do to a dog.
Fear activates something deep in the brain called the amygdala. It’s the part of our brain—and a dog’s brain—that triggers fight, flight, or freeze responses. Princess was stuck in the freeze mode. When a dog is this terrified, their body releases adrenaline, their muscles tense, and their brain gets flooded with signals telling them to run or defend themselves. But sometimes, when the fear is too much, they freeze. Princess wasn’t able to react or process anything because she was trapped in that frozen state.
Touching her wasn’t even an option at first. I could see it in her eyes—any sudden movement, any noise, and she’d probably panic even more. It’s in moments like this that I remind myself: patience is key. You can’t rush a dog like Princess. It’s not just about coaxing her out of her kennel or waving treats in front of her. Dogs in this state need to know they’re safe, and that takes time.
The Toll of Prolonged Fear
What people don’t always realize is just how much prolonged fear can damage a dog’s body. Fear isn’t just an emotional state—it’s physical. When a dog is stuck in a constant state of fear, it takes a toll on their immune system, their heart rate, and even their ability to digest food. It’s why so many dogs in shelters refuse to eat. They’re so scared that their body shuts down, and basic functions like appetite just stop working.
Princess wasn’t just scared—she was in survival mode. Her brain wasn’t letting her process anything beyond the immediate danger she felt. But that one small moment of taking the treat meant she was starting to come back. Her brain was beginning to work the way it should again, and her body was following suit.
Why Do People Surrender Their Dogs?
While I sat there with Princess, I couldn’t help but wonder about the person who surrendered her. I hear it all the time—people asking, “How could someone give up their dog?” It’s easy to say you’d never do that, but life can be hard, and sometimes people feel like they have no other option.
In Princess’ case, the reason given was simply “hardship.” That could mean anything—financial struggles, health issues, or even mental health challenges. With inflation and the rising cost of living, more and more people are having to make impossible decisions. Do they feed themselves, or do they feed their dog? Can they afford to get their dog spayed, or do they keep putting it off? Unfortunately, many don’t know that there are low-cost spay and neuter clinics out there, and when financial strain hits hard, dogs like Princess are the ones who suffer.
I’ve seen it firsthand during my time with Animal Control. Sometimes it’s an elderly person who physically can’t care for their dog anymore. Other times, it’s someone who simply doesn’t care. Maybe they got the dog as a puppy, thinking it would be easy, but as the dog grew and required more attention, they lost interest. Or maybe Princess was the result of an illegal breeding operation, and her owner just didn’t want to deal with the consequences.
Whatever the reason, Princess was abandoned, and now she was in the shelter, terrified and unsure of what would happen next.
The Scoop: A Small Victory
I’ve worked with a lot of shut-down dogs over the years, and sometimes you have to break a few rules to make progress. Princess wasn’t responding to the usual methods, so I decided to try the “scoop.” Gently, I wrapped my arms around her and lifted her into my lap. It’s a bit of a risk, especially with a dog that’s this scared, but sometimes the physical act of holding them close—like a weighted blanket—can make a huge difference.
At first, she tensed up, unsure of what was happening. But as I held her, applying gentle pressure, I could feel her begin to relax. Slowly but surely, her body softened, and I could feel her letting go, even if just a little. Her muscles, which had been so tight, began to soften just a little. Her breathing slowed down, and her eyes, though still watchful, seemed less frantic. It was subtle, but it was progress.
The Real Breakthrough
And then came the real breakthrough. I reached for a treat, breaking it into small pieces, and held one out to her. At first, she didn’t even acknowledge it. But then, after what felt like hours of waiting, her nose twitched. She sniffed the air, hesitated, and then finally leaned in to take the treat from my hand.
That might seem like a small victory, but for a dog in Princess’ state, it’s monumental. It means her brain is starting to shift out of fear mode. She’s processing her surroundings again. She’s beginning to trust me.
The Importance of Nutrition
Another crucial part of Princess’ recovery is nutrition. We discovered that she wasn’t spayed and that she was in heat when she came into the shelter. On top of everything else, her body wasn’t getting the care it needed.
Thankfully, Sundays for Dogs, a pet food company I work with, agreed to sponsor Princess’ food for an entire year. This means she’ll get the nutrition she needs to rebuild her strength, heal, and recover. Nutrition plays such a huge role in a dog’s overall well-being. With proper food, she’ll start to process things better, feel better, and heal faster.
A Future Full of Hope
As I sat there with Princess, holding her and watching her relax for the first time, I couldn’t help but imagine her future. She may have been abandoned, but that doesn’t mean she’s broken. With time, patience, and love, she can become the dog she was always meant to be.
I pictured her running in the wind, her coat shining and her eyes full of life. I pictured her on the couch with her new family, finally able to relax and enjoy life without fear. And I know that with the right care, Princess will get there.
Why Princess Needs You
Princess has come a long way, but her journey isn’t over. She’ll need a special home—someone who understands her past and is willing to help her heal. She needs a family who won’t rush her but will give her the time and space to fully come out of her shell.
If that sounds like you, please consider adopting or fostering Princess. She has so much love to give, and with the right home, she’ll show you just how wonderful she can be. And even if you can’t adopt, sharing her story could be the key to finding her the perfect home.
