Shelter Dog Cowers in the Corner of Her Kennel Looking Terrified, Until Human Earns Her Trust

Anna has her whole body pressed into the corner of her kennel, but it’s her eyes that really tell the story. The terrified shelter dog is clearly nervous about Olivia being in her kennel, though she never stops watching the human. Olivia doesn’t try to hurry Anna along in the video shared on her Instagram account @oliviaboblet; she stays close and lets the nervous dog decide how much is okay. She offers a hand, gives her space, and eventually sits right there beside her. Anna remains nervous, but those tiny changes start to show once a human gives her enough time to decide what feels safe.

Human sits with terrified shelter dog in her kennel and slowly earns her trust, then comforts her

Anna barely moves when Olivia first reaches a hand toward her. She gets a chance to sniff it, though, and after a moment, she does exactly that. Anna’s little sniff might seem minor, but she had been too nervous to accept much contact just moments earlier.

Olivia then sits next to her, keeping things quiet and low-key. Anna even keeps an eye on the phone near the kennel door, clearly not ready to trust every new thing around her. For a while, Anna stays firmly in her corner. Olivia does not push her to come closer. Instead, she lets her get used to having someone there. Another sniff follows, and this time Anna allows a gentle pat on her head.

Her face looks a little less tense as the visit continues. She is still nervous, but there is more curiosity in those eyes than there was at the beginning. Soon, Olivia is able to pet her while filming from the selfie camera, and Anna even looks toward the lens.

Around 1,000 likes came in during the video’s first 12 hours online, with plenty of viewers hoping Anna finds the loving home she deserves. One commenter shared that Anna has come a long way and loves receiving soft treats while she gets comfortable around volunteers. Anna still has plenty of trust to build, and this visit is only one small part of that process.