Charlie: the Dog Who Came in from the Wild

This is the true story of a bond that developed between author Lisa Tensin-Dolma, and Charlie - a traumatised, one-eyed, Romanian dog who lived the first 18 months of his life in the wild, never socialising with humans. Charting Charlie's progress and setbacks, it explains how Lisa worked with Charlie to help him overcome his extreme fearfulness.

---

As a dog behaviour practitioner, Lisa had worked with many deeply trouble dogs, but Charlie was very different. His initial behaviour was more wolf-like, than dog-like, leading some experts to suspect he may have Roman wolf in his genes. The relationship that developed not only challenged and changed them both, but also, with Charlie's eventual blossoming, became a clear demonstration of the power of love, kindness and positive training practices. Starting with Charlie as he is now, happy and coping well with home life, each chapter explores the qualities and emotions that the author drew upon while working with him, and that are relevent to everyone who faces challenges and obstacles. Using these qualities to help Charlie learn to cope with everyday experiences that we take for granted, Lisa also observed how Charlie used the same qualities with herself during their first months together, struggling to adjust to what, to him, was a terrifying, unfamiliar environment. Helped by Lisa's 'mentor dog' Skye, Charlie bonded with Lisa, her daughter, made new human and canine friends, and eventually overcame his fears to settle in and enjoy his new life.Clarifying the diferences between domestic dogs reared in a home, and free-ranging unsocialised dogs, this book is the perfect companion for those who are involved with rescue dogs, have adopted a street dog, or those with anxious or fearful dogs.
It's also great read for anyone interested in dogs!