The sullen dog looked sad all the time and didn’t really trust people. It was found straying on the street, but at the time people had no idea that behind its stern muzzle was a gentle, affectionate creature who just needed love.
This sullen pit bull was picked up on the street in American Cumberland County all alone. It was brought to the local shelter, and it wasn’t until the staff saw it that they became alarmed. The first thing that struck them right away was that the dog had a perpetually sad and moody expression on its muzzle, so they thought it would be difficult to deal with it…
The pit bull was given the nickname Frank, and the shelter staff began to slowly find a way to approach him. The character of the dog, however, sometimes coincided with his appearance – Frank could behave aggressively and unpredictably. But the shelter staff did everything they could to show him what true love was and that the world was not such a bad place.
Using positive reinforcement, the volunteers patiently began to teach Frank good manners, such as how to ask for what he wanted without showing aggression and how to walk on a leash. As the days went by, Frank began to trust his new friends and even play with them. He slowly realized that no one here would hurt him, and that he was accepted just the way he was.
Thanks to the volunteers, a few weeks later Frank “smiled” for the first time. His sullen expression changed to one of joy in his eyes, and he became a happy doggie. “Frank has made great progress with the help of volunteers. He no longer growls at people when he meets them, which is a big victory for us,” the shelter staff said. Frank must have just been in great need of love, because there’s no telling what this boy had gone through before he was rescued…
Soon Frank will be sent to a temporary care place, and when he is fully ready, a permanent family will be found for him. For now, the volunteers continue to develop his socialization and trust in people, and the doggie is making great progress. Be happy, Frank!
