Adopting a dog is never an easy decision. Some people look for a particular breed, while others focus more on age or size.
Those factors may be important, but one thing that should never be overlooked is the potential of a dog who may have endured trauma. Even pups who seem anxious or nervous at first are just as deserving of love and can blossom once they feel secure with their person.
One woman decided to adopt a dog for just $10. What she didn’t anticipate, however, was that his behavior would be unlike most other dogs.
Kylie’s New Companion
When Kylie Judson first welcomed Brodi, a three-year-old Labrador mix, into her home from a Florida shelter, she was going through a challenging time herself. She hoped this pup could bring a little light into her life.
Though only three months old when she adopted him, Brodi showed some quirks that stood out right away.
It was clear he may have come from a troubling past, possibly even an abusive household, and adjusting to a safe and caring environment took time.
When it came to walks, Brodi’s behavior was far from typical. He was restless and uneasy whenever Kylie took him outside on a leash. Instead of calmly strolling, Brodi would try to dart in the opposite direction, stop moving altogether, or even chew on the leash in protest.
While frustrating, the scenes were also somewhat comical, so Kylie decided to film one of their walk attempts and share it on TikTok.
A Hilarious Reaction
When she posted the video, she captioned it: “Adopted a 10$ dog in my 20s and now I’m managing both our anxiety levels.”
The video quickly gained attention, drawing in comments from dog parents who had been through the same struggles—or who just found it hilarious.
One person wrote: “Mine was $5 (and then $3600 in training so he didn’t lose it every time he saw a person or dog).”
It was reassuring to see that Brodi wasn’t alone in facing such challenges, and that many other rescue pups shared similar hurdles.
Another commenter chimed in: “So we all are in our 20s and trying to manage our dogs’ crippling anxiety… I found my community.”
It became clear that there were plenty of people navigating the same issues, which made Kylie feel less alone.
One last user offered some advice: “Prong collar – promise you it’s not a torture device like some try to say. Helps WONDER and gives them direction.”
While training tools can be debated, it was encouraging to see so many people sharing tips, experiences, and laughter over the challenges of raising anxious pups.
In the end, Kylie found comfort in the online community, knowing that Brodi wasn’t the only dog working through his fears. What mattered most was that he now had someone who loved him and would support him as he learned to feel safe.