Trainer Says Baxter Was His Toughest Case in 10 Years, but He Kept Showing Up

For most dogs, seeing a leash means something wonderful is about to happen. For Baxter, it once meant fear so overwhelming that he could barely control his reaction. The rescued dog would panic whenever someone tried to place a collar, leash, or harness around him, turning an ordinary part of life with a dog into a frightening experience for everyone involved. Yet beneath those defensive reactions was not an aggressive dog looking for trouble. Baxter was scared, and helping him feel safe again would require extraordinary patience. Credit: YouTube Baxter had been adopted from a shelter in Dallas, where his family hoped to give him the secure and loving home he deserved. His history was not completely known, but his behavior suggested he may have come from a hoarding situation or another environment where he had experienced prolonged stress. Anything placed around his neck immediately triggered an intense response. Baxter would panic and sometimes bite the people who were simply trying to help him. His family soon found themselves facing a difficult problem. They lived in a condo without a private backyard, so taking Baxter outside safely required using a leash or harness. The very t...