Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows they are social creatures who love spending their time playing with both humans and other dogs. If given the chance, they would happily spend all day running around and having fun. However, some dogs, like Cannoli, the pet of Nicole Saulino, struggle with social interactions and can be quite shy.
Well, That Didn’t Go As Planned
Realizing Cannoli’s need to socialize better, Nicole decided it would be beneficial for her to attend training sessions or puppy events in New Jersey. The plan seemed reasonable—surrounded by playful pups, Cannoli might feel more at ease. However, when they attended the event, things didn’t exactly go as expected.
Cannoli seemed confused about her purpose at the event, preferring to watch from the sidelines rather than participate. Despite efforts from other dogs to include her in the fun, she remained reluctant, leaving her owner feeling a bit disheartened. Nicole believed that all Cannoli needed was time, so she resolved to give it another shot by returning to the New Jersey puppy event again.
It Will Take Some Time
During the second event, the results were slightly improved. Cannoli started by sitting near the humans, refusing to engage with the other dogs, and eventually moved to the center, remaining there awkwardly. She interacted briefly with a few dogs but quickly returned to her reserved behavior. Despite this, Nicole saw it as a significant step forward.
Nicole observes that Cannoli tends to be more fearful of larger dogs and is unsettled by loud barking, which may explain her lack of engagement. The trainer mentioned that time is crucial; Cannoli may need to assess her surroundings to ensure no dog feels like a threat. With ongoing patience from her owners, Cannoli is likely to come out of her shell and play with others.
