Shelter Pup Desperate for Visitors To Play With Her, but Is Too Shy To Ask

A shelter dog is desperate for someone to come and play with her but she's simply too shy to ask.

Dottie the year-old hound mix first arrived at San Diego Humane Society back in January. "Sweet Dottie came into care as a stray," Nina Thompson, director of public relations at the shelter, told Newsweek. "San Diego Humane Society takes in about 50 stray pets a day and when it comes to dogs only 35 percent are being picked up by their owners." Dottie was not among those lucky few.

In the short time she's been there, Dottie has made a positive impression on everyone working at the shelter. "She's super smart and our Animal Care staff say she's great at learning new things with positive reinforcement like treats," Thompson said.

Unfortunately, she's struggled with the adjustment to life in the shelter. "The shelter is not a natural place for a dog to stay for any length of time, let alone months," Thompson said.

"While we are lucky to have a newly renovated adoption center with lots of soundproofing and calming features at our San Diego Campus, there are still many sounds and smells. Other dogs barking, guests coming by to look through the kennels, the stress of not getting enough exercise or socialization time."

Shelters can be stressful environments for incoming dogs. A 2006 study published in the journal Physiology and Behavior highlighted the negative impact with researchers finding that dogs entering the shelter had three times the level of the stress hormone cortisol in their system during their first three days there than canines residing in a standard household.

That stress can make it difficult for dogs like Dottie to make an impression on visitors. Her dilemma was perhaps best highlighted in a video posted to TikTok showing Dottie in her kennel, holding a toy but keeping a distance from whoever is filming the clip.

It's clear she's desperate to play but too scared to put herself out there. "Dottie loves her toys and often plays with them by herself in her kennel," Thompson said. "While she may take a little time to warm up, she loves to play fetch with our volunteers in the exercise yards outside. She's a young dog, so she's got lots of energy!"

Though she may be struggling right now, Thompson believes that, in the right circumstances, Dottie would flourish. She just needs someone to take a chance on her. "Dottie just needs some time when she meets new people," she said. "If you let her come to you, she's the sweetest girl ever."

Thompson already has an idea of the kind of home the shelter dog would be suited to. "Dottie would do well in a home where the owner takes their time to let her come to them," she said. "Patience and love are key. She also needs lots of positive reinforcement, toys and of course exercise."

Anyone wishing to provide her with that, should head to the San Diego Humane Society's San Diego Campus or get in touch online.

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