Rescuer Trying To Save Stray Dog Had No Clue He Was So Afraid Of Leashes

| Published on October 13, 2024

Rescuer Learns A Stray Dog's Deep Fear Of Leashes During A Rescue Mission

Rescue missions often reveal unexpected challenges, especially when a frightened dog faces a deep fear. A stray pit bull’s encounter with a leash would be anything but simple.

This was exactly the case when a rescuer in Kern County, California, encountered a malnourished Pittie who had no idea he was being offered help.

Trying To Rescue Weston

Danny, a rescuer from Safefurr Place Animal Rescue, met a stray pit bull named Weston who desperately needed food and care.

Source: YouTube

At first, the rescue seemed to be going smoothly.

Weston, who appeared calm and friendly, quickly approached Danny when he saw treats in his hand.

Source: YouTube

“He did everything you would want a stray dog to do. He saw I had treats, he came right up to me. He was eating out of my hand. I was able to pet him,” Danny said to The Dodo.

But the moment a leash appeared, everything changed. Weston panicked, fleeing from the leash as if his life depended on it.

Source: YouTube

Danny, not one to give up easily, returned the next day with a new plan.

“I was thinking, ‘If I just cover his eyes for a few seconds, I could get the leash around his neck without him seeing,’” Danny explained.

The plan worked at first, but soon after the leash was on, Weston startled and pulled free.

Source: YouTube

The dog fled, and Danny was devastated.

A Different Approach

Determined not to give up, Danny sought help from a woman named Sheila.

With Sheila’s calm and gentle approach, Weston finally allowed himself to be captured safely.

Source: YouTube

Learning from the initial mistakes, Danny brought a crate for the final attempt. Gently tapping the frightened pup’s back, he encouraged Weston to hop in.

Finally, Weston was safe. But his fear of leashes wasn’t gone yet.

Learning To Walk With A Leash

Even after arriving at the shelter, Weston remained terrified of leashes. The staff knew they needed to be patient, allowing Weston to adjust at his own pace.

They began letting him take control of the walks, gently placing the leash over his head but allowing him to lead the way.

Source: YouTube

To help Weston feel more comfortable, the team walked him alongside another dog, Ginger. Slowly but surely, Weston realized the leash wasn’t something to fear.

Before long, he eagerly looked forward to walks, excitedly zooming around with joy.

“It was at that moment when I knew he was going to be OK,” Sheila shared.

Source: YouTube

Weston’s transformation was complete when he found his forever home.

Forever Home

“We got him in early December, and he definitely made our holiday more adventurous and fun,” said Michaela, Weston’s new mom, who renamed him Westly. “He didn’t have a lot of confidence when we first got him, so we worked hard to build that bond.“

Westly now enjoys his life to the fullest with a loving family and a furry sibling named Izzy.