Willow

Willow's Story<br/><br/>Willow was surrendered to LMHS in March 2025 and is approximately 6 years old.<br/><br/>She was surrendered due to persistent barking at visitors, even when separated from them in another room. We believe Willow developed Small Dog Syndrome, likely due to limited socialization during COVID, resulting in fear of new people and a lack of confidence.<br/><br/>Her fear was extreme; unlike anything we’ve seen in a dog raised from a young age. She spent nearly a year with LMHS relearning boundaries, building confidence, and adjusting to structure.<br/><br/>After a couple of months in foster care, Willow has made incredible progress and is now a very different dog. Once she warms up, she is affectionate, well-behaved, obedient, and eager to please. She is a true cuddle bug.<br/><br/>Willow does have separation anxiety and will bark when away from her trusted human, so apartment living is not recommended. With routine, structure, consistent boundaries, training, and short-term anti-anxiety medication, she has shown strong improvement.<br/><br/>She may take time to trust new people and will still bark at visitors, though this is now short-lived. Continued guidance will be important in her new home.<br/><br/>Willow is house trained (uses pee pads but may need a refresher) and gets along well with cats and small dogs. She currently lives with a 5lb Chihuahua but may compete for attention. She is more fearful of larger dogs, though she is improving with consistent exposure and walks.<br/><br/>She should be placed in an adult-only home with an experienced owner who can provide structure and ongoing training. She is not suitable for a first-time dog owner.<br/><br/>Willow prefers to be close to her human and may want to sleep in bed, but maintaining boundaries, such as sleeping in her own enclosed space, is important for her continued progress.<br/><br/>Her adoption fee is by donation, within the Lower Mainland or Fraser Valley only. She is spayed, vaccinated, dewormed, and flea treated.<br/><br/>If you believe you’re a match for Willow, please submit an adoption application using the link below.<br/><br/>www.lowermainlandhumanesociety.org/adoption-application/

Willow's Story

Willow was surrendered to LMHS in March 2025 and is approximately 6 years old.

She was surrendered due to persistent barking at visitors, even when separated from them in another room. We believe Willow developed Small Dog Syndrome, likely due to limited socialization during COVID, resulting in fear of new people and a lack of confidence.

Her fear was extreme; unlike anything we’ve seen in a dog raised from a young age. She spent nearly a year with LMHS relearning boundaries, building confidence, and adjusting to structure.

After a couple of months in foster care, Willow has made incredible progress and is now a very different dog. Once she warms up, she is affectionate, well-behaved, obedient, and eager to please. She is a true cuddle bug.

Willow does have separation anxiety and will bark when away from her trusted human, so apartment living is not recommended. With routine, structure, consistent boundaries, training, and short-term anti-anxiety medication, she has

Willow's Story

Willow was surrendered to LMHS in March 2025 and is approximately 6 years old.

She was surrendered due to persistent barking at visitors, even when separated from them in another room. We believe Willow developed Small Dog Syndrome, likely due to limited socialization during COVID, resulting in fear of new people and a lack of confidence.

Her fear was extreme; unlike anything we’ve seen in a dog raised from a young age. She spent nearly a year with LMHS relearning boundaries, building confidence, and adjusting to structure.

After a couple of months in foster care, Willow has made incredible progress and is now a very different dog. Once she warms up, she is affectionate, well-behaved, obedient, and eager to please. She is a true cuddle bug.

Willow does have separation anxiety and will bark when away from her trusted human, so apartment living is not recommended. With routine, structure, consistent boundaries, training, and short-term anti-anxiety medication, she has shown strong improvement.

She may take time to trust new people and will still bark at visitors, though this is now short-lived. Continued guidance will be important in her new home.

Willow is house trained (uses pee pads but may need a refresher) and gets along well with cats and small dogs. She currently lives with a 5lb Chihuahua but may compete for attention. She is more fea