Helping a shelter dog regain confidence can be a long and delicate process. For many pups, even something as simple as stepping outside can feel overwhelming, especially if they have spent their lives in confinement or experienced trauma. Nonetheless, it’s often through these small, consistent milestones, built on trust and repetition, that real transformation begins.
Isabel Klee, a foster mom from Brooklyn, recently shared a touching update video of her rescue dog Tiki, who finally found the courage to step onto the grass after 29 days of gentle encouragement.
Foster dog Tiki steps on the grass for the first time in viral video
In the video, Klee explains that after 29 days of working to make him feel safe outside, Tiki finally stepped onto the grass for the very first time. Though it might seem like a small moment, Klee described it as a major breakthrough. Getting Tiki to feel comfortable outdoors had been the “most difficult task,” she says in the video. For nearly a month, he stayed near the porch, unsure of the world beyond it.
The footage shows Klee crouched just a few feet away, gently holding out a piece of cheese to encourage the pup. After some hesitation, Tiki tentatively places a paw on the grass to reach the treat, and then goes back and forth, each attempt adding a little more confidence.
Klee slowly increases the distance each time to help him get used to the unfamiliar texture and space. In the onscreen caption, she writes, “Repetition is so important during these exercises,” emphasizing the need for consistency to build trust and a sense of safety.
A few days later, while Klee was brushing her other dog Simon in the yard, something incredible happened. Tiki wandered out onto the grass all on his own, exploring without hesitation. What was once a source of fear had become a space of curiosity.
Overcoming fear doesn’t happen overnight, but with repetition and positive experiences, many rescue dogs gradually grow more comfortable and confident. One viewer celebrated the change, saying, “The confident little strut at the end!!” Another reflected on the future: “Aww his whole world is going to open up so much!!” Many noticed how curiosity was replacing fear, with comments like, “His curiosity now seems stronger than the fear.” And true to the internet’s sense of humor, one said, “The phrase ‘touch grass’ has a whole new meaning now.”
