Dogs are social by nature, the kind of companions who usually light up the moment play enters the picture. Give many of them a person, another dog, or a little room to run, and they are ready to spend hours chasing, rolling around, and wagging like nothing else in the world matters.
Still, not every pup walks into those moments with instant confidence. Some are more hesitant and need a little extra patience before they feel truly at ease around other dogs.
That was true for Cannoli, a dog belonging to Nicole Saulino in New Jersey.
When Nicole and her husband noticed that Cannoli seemed uncomfortable around other dogs, they began searching for gentle ways to help her feel more secure.
Trying To Help Cannoli Open Up
After realizing Cannoli struggled in social settings, Nicole decided that attending puppy classes or group events might help. Surrounded by other dogs, Cannoli might learn that playtime could actually be fun.
So, Nicole brought her to a local puppy event, hoping for progress.
At first, Cannoli seemed completely unsure of herself. She wandered around cautiously, uncertain about how to behave.
Other dogs tried to invite her to play, but she hesitated and mostly kept to herself. Nicole quickly realized things were not going as she had hoped.
Still, she wasn’t discouraged. Nicole knew Cannoli just needed more time to adjust, so she decided to bring her back for another session.
Slow But Steady Progress
At the next event, Cannoli’s behavior was similar. She stayed close to her owners, avoiding the chaos of the other dogs.
Eventually, she walked toward the center of the play area but sat quietly, watching everything unfold. When a few dogs came over, she interacted briefly before retreating again. To Nicole, even this small step was a sign of progress.
Nicole explained that Cannoli often feels overwhelmed by loud barking and bigger dogs, which makes her hesitant to join in.
A trainer suggested that Cannoli’s cautiousness came from her need to feel safe before engaging. Once she was confident that no one would hurt her, she might begin to play more freely.
With time, patience, and gentle encouragement, Cannoli’s confidence is expected to grow. Her owners are committed to giving her every chance to blossom into the happy, social dog she was meant to be.