Links is a long-term shelter dog. LIfe in an adoptive home with be a long-term journey. Here's what a new life with Links would look like:
The first 3 months
Bonding with her new owner without introducing her to any outside influences or visitors to your home. If someone is coming over in that first 90 days, put her in a crate shut in a room. The focus will be on helping her feel trusted and secure with you. No visits to stores, dog parks, etc.
3-6 months+
If you have visitors, put her on a leash and instruct them to ignore her under all circumstances. Do not let them approach her, make eye contact or talk to her. Hold the leash firmly, calm her down by using treats and instructing with basic commands no "it's o.k. Links or any other talk that will feed into her insecure behavior." Once she is calm and in a sitting position, have the visitor toss her treats but ignore her. Focus on confidence building and positive introductions without making her feel unsafe. Once she is relaxed, put her in her kennel so you don't overstress or overstimulate her.
6 months +
Once she starts to become relaxed with people coming into your home with low stress contact, allow her to approach people at her comfort level but instruct them not to reach out to her to pet her or invade her space without making her feel uncomfortable. At this point, it's about Links taking life and getting to know people at her comfort level without pushing her limits.
Seriously...give this girl a few minutes to warm up and she'll blossom. She recently went to a group activity and initially, she only felt comfortable with her handler and would shy away from others and look to her handler for comfort and protection and if strangers pushed her past her comfort level too fast, she would growl in fear. After a short time, she was interacting with everyone in the group and even nudged some for more attention. The second time she went to meet the group, she was rolling on her back, playing with toys in a relaxed state. They actually called her the bell of the ball!
We are working hard to socialize her and build her confidence but that will only truly come from being in a settled home with a familiar family that is committed to her. She is dog friendly and would do best in the home with another dog that can help build her confidence.
The family that gives Links the time to adjust and become comfortable will truly be rewarded with a happy and loving companion for life!
