The rescue assured her it would get better. Often, new adopters don’t realize there is an adjustment period for both owner and pet. Adopted pets are thrust into an entirely different environment and feel unsure of their surroundings at first. Everything is different, from the food bowl they use to the bed they sleep in. They may not eat, they hide and even the most housebroken dog may have accidents in the home. And they need time to get to know you.

Lizik committed to Buttons and sought resources for help. She read about the Shiba Inu breed and reached out to trainers for advice. Buttons continued to scream through the night. It was physically and emotionally exhausting for Lizik, and the training methods she was trying weren’t working.

Deciding she had to change her way of thinking, Lizik says she stopped thinking about what she needed from him.