Background:
River’s owner reached out for support with walking and training River and her sister, Mitsy, during times when she would be away showing another of her Belgian Malinois, Sirga. Given River’s nervous temperament and fear of unfamiliar people - largely influenced by genetics - it was essential to build a relationship based on trust and safety before any solo walks could take place.

Assessment:
River was highly wary of strangers and showed fear-based behaviours that could escalate to defensive reactions, including the potential for biting. It was crucial that she felt safe and supported, especially in her owner’s absence.

Training Approach:
- 1. Gradual Introduction:
We began with a series of low-pressure meet-and-greet sessions, allowing River to get used to my presence without any immediate expectations. The goal was to build familiarity and trust at her pace, without overwhelming her.
- 2. Confidence Building:
During our interactions, I focused on calm, consistent behaviour, and gave River space and choice in how and when to engage. Over time, this helped her begin to associate me with safety rather than threat.
- 3. Walk & Train Readiness:
Once River was comfortable with my presence and showed clear signs of trust, we moved on to our first solo walk and train session. She remained relaxed, confident, and comfortable with me in her space - showing that the relationship we had built was strong enough for her to feel secure even without her owner present.

Progress:
River made fantastic emotional progress. She went from being highly suspicious and fearful of me to confidently engaging with me on walks. Most importantly, she trusted me to advocate for her - removing the need for defensive behaviours and creating a calm, cooperative dynamic during our sessions.

Conclusion:
River’s case is a powerful reminder that trust-building is foundational, especially for dogs with fear-based behaviours. With kindness, patience, consistency, and respect for going at her own pace, River learned that new people, such as me, can be safe, and her owner can now confidently rely on my support when needed.