Little Louie is a young, healthy dog with an entire life ahead of him, but the life he left behind was anything but easy. Before coming to Angel’s Retreat—a private Pennsylvania rescue specializing in senior and special needs dogs—Louie lived outdoors and feral most of his life. Louie was forced to find food, shelter, and safety all on his own, and though he stayed physically safe, he suffered emotionally and psychologically.

“It took months to be able to handle [Louie] because he was so terrified of people,” says the staff at Angel’s Retreat. Despite likely experiencing abuse before being dumped to fend for himself “Louie has since learned that he likes to be loved.”

Estimated to be 2–3 years old and weighing in at 12 pounds, Louie the Cairn Terrier mix has a lot of desirable traits that should make him very adoptable. On the surface, Louie might look like a dog who would get snatched up by a family immediately, but his traumatic past means he has some specific needs.

Some of Louie’s requirements included:

• No children, all-adult homes only
• A fenced-in yard
• A quiet environment with minimal visitors/socializing
• Ideally, be an only pet but could pair with an older/more mellow dog
• No small dogs, cats, or small animals

Louie also needs anti-anxiety medications to help him manage the big feelings he has and humans who understand fearful/anxious dogs. Finding the right family to accommodate all of those needs can be a big challenge. Thankfully, the right people came along, and Louie has been adopted! 

Dogs that have spent the majority of their lives living outdoors without human supervision or care may or may not be truly feral. The term “feral” refers specifically to wild dogs or dogs who are “untamed.” Some dogs who are dumped by their humans remain relatively trusting of people, while others can become “feral” and immensely wary of humans.

Dogs like Louie who are extremely afraid of humans and need to be trapped often have a long road to recovery. Emotionally, these dogs can exist in the “fight or flight” response for days, weeks, or even months. Some feral dogs take years to trust humans, and some may never ask for or willingly receive physical affection.

If you are considering adopting a once-feral dog, here are a few things to know ahead of time:

• Bonding with your once-feral dog will take time. Patience and a willingness to accept your dog’s boundaries are necessary if you want to own a former feral dog. You can’t push their timeline or force them to warm up more quickly. Time, patience, and understanding are the only ways to bond with a dog who doesn’t trust humans.
• Commit to routine. One of the fastest ways to show your once-feral dog that they can trust you is by being consistent. Set a routine and stick to it while your dog is adjusting to show them that they can rely on you to do what they expect. Feral dogs might view humans as unpredictable, so routine can help to adjust that expectation.
• Keep your hands to yourself. Many feral dogs are wary of human touch and may think you are trying to hurt or trap them by physically interacting with them. Wait for your feral dog to come to you for attention, and try to let them touch you first.