rescuing Ollie: From Survival to Stability
I first met Ollie about four months ago when I was asked to assess her living situation. She had recently been adopted through Willow Tree Sanctuary and was showing signs of reactivity in her new home. Ollie was living with a lovely couple in an apartment complex, but she had begun barking and lunging at both dogs and people in shared spaces.
When I took her for a walk around a local dog park with her carer, she didn’t show any signs of reactivity while in my presence. This suggested that her behaviour was more context- or handler-specific than rooted in aggression.
A Difficult Start
Like many dogs who pass through the rescue system, Ollie’s background was unclear. However, I was able to learn that she had recently experienced what we could reasonably consider trauma.
Ollie was rescued while pregnant and presumed to be a stray. Willow Tree Sanctuary took her in and placed her with a foster carer during her pregnancy. Once she had raised her pups and they were adopted out, Ollie was relocated to the apartment complex. Not long after she was desexed, her carers began noticing reactive behaviours—particularly towards the elevator that ran beside the building.
Not the Right Fit
Although she lived in a beautiful apartment overlooking a sprawling golf course, it became clear that something wasn’t quite right for Ollie in that environment. Given her likely history as a stray, it’s possible she had never been properly socialised. Dogs in that situation often learn to rely on vocalisation and distance-increasing behaviours to keep others away.
Sadly, due to ongoing reactivity concerns, Ollie had to leave that home. Since then, we’ve been working with her on a weekly basis during her time in foster care. Due to limited foster availability, she is currently staying at the Gold Coast Pet Resort kennels, where we continue her training and rehabilitation.
A Work in Progress
Ollie is a sweet, resilient dog who simply needs the right environment and consistent, thoughtful training to thrive. We’re hopeful that with ongoing support, structure, and the right placement, she’ll find the stability she truly deserves.
Socialisation and Confidence
Over the past few months working with Ollie, I’ve come to realise that she’s not truly reactive in the way many people might assume. What Ollie really needs is a calm, confident handler—someone who can provide clear communication, consistent feedback, and the kind of gentle leadership that helps her navigate overwhelming experiences without escalating.
When guided properly, she can work through difficult situations and settle quickly. It’s not about harsh corrections; it’s about clarity, timing, and trust.
Now it’s time to find the right carer—or ideally, her forever family—and coach them to handle her with the structure and support she needs. With the right person, Ollie has every chance of thriving in a stable, loving home.
Are You Lacking Confidence Walking Your Reactive Dog?
If you’re struggling with a reactive dog and find yourself avoiding walks or dreading public spaces, you’re not alone.
Building your own confidence as a handler is one of the most powerful ways to change your dog’s behaviour. When your dog senses that you’re in control and calm, they’re more likely to follow your lead—even in stressful situations.
If you’d like help with that, I offer one-on-one support to:
Teach you how to read your dog’s body language,
Build a consistent communication system using markers and rewards,
Help you feel in control in difficult environments,
And give you the tools to turn reactivity into reliability.