Two years ago, Samson came into our lives. He had been a street dog in Turkey, found in a terrible state. A kind couple let him live in their garden, but they couldn’t keep him. While we were on holiday, we agreed to give him a home. We spent time getting to know Samson so he would recognise us when he arrived in the UK.
When he arrived, understandably, he was scared. Having never lived in a home before, he was overwhelmed. It was bitterly cold and raining, but he refused to come inside. Eventually, Samson braved the indoors. While still stressed and frightened, he found comfort in chewing! Feather dog beds, remote controls, DVDs, shoes—anything within reach became a target, so we quickly learned to keep items out of his way.
Being a former street dog, Samson wasn’t used to walking on a lead. On walks, he sometimes found it frustrating not to greet the dogs he wanted to approach and frightening when he couldn’t distance himself from dogs he perceived as a threat. To bystanders, his reactions may have made him look like an uncontrollable or aggressive dog. Samson was also terrified of workmen, bin men, or anyone wearing high-visibility clothing, backpacks, or hats, reacting to them as he did with unfamiliar dogs.
At home, his instincts as a livestock guardian dog kicked in. We became his “flock” that he needed to protect, a job he took very seriously. Visitors were met with suspicion, and home appliances—the vacuum cleaner, food blender, or washing machine—were too overwhelming for him to cope with.
Rehabilitating Samson required patience and consistency. We gave him a safe space to retreat to whenever he needed a break and established a predictable daily routine so he could feel more secure. On walks, we kept our distance from triggers he perceived as threats. We provided enrichment activities to reduce his stress, helping him feel calm enough to learn. Playing games together helped us build trust and connection, and we introduced basic training to teach him how to learn and engage with us.
It has taken time—lots of time—but two years later, Samson has transformed. He now chews only the items we give him, interacts well with (most) other dogs, and is comfortable allowing (most) people into our home. He’s also able to cope with things that used to terrify him, like noisy appliances. Through hard work, patience, and persistence, he has excelled in his training.
If you’ve taken on a dog and find some of their behaviours challenging, ask yourself: could they be scared, unsure, wary, or frustrated? While we may understand that the dog across the road won’t approach, or that delivery people are simply doing their jobs, or that the loud motorbike isn’t heading for us, our dogs don’t see the world this way. What seems perfectly normal to us can be overwhelming, confusing, or frightening to them.
To address challenging behaviours, it’s essential to understand their root cause. Your dog isn’t being naughty, awkward, or spiteful—it’s likely they’re scared, frustrated, or unsure. By understanding their perspective and working as a team, you can tackle these challenges together. But remember: it takes time.
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