When Michelle Hanley’s children left home, she soon found herself looking for a way to fill the empty nest. It was then that she returned to something she’d always loved. Having grown up with a German Shepherd, the 53-year-old teacher felt the time was right to welcome a dog back into her life. After researching different breeds, she chose an Italian Greyhound, known for their gentle temperament and affectionate nature. Bringing home 12-week-old Dante, she knew she’d made the right choice. “I love Italian Greyhounds, they’re such a gentle breed,” says Michelle. “Dante was well-behaved. Well, as much as you expect from any puppy!” For the first few months, everything went smoothly. But at around eight months old, Dante’s behaviour changed dramatically after a few incidents with other dogs. "He'd met two dogs that had shown aggression, and then another that ran at him and bit him,” Michelle recalls. From then on, Dante became anxious, barking and pulling whenever he encountered other dogs on walks. “After that, he was very different,” Michelle explains. “He’d bark and go crazy. He sounded like a banshee. We’d have to hold him almost dangling from the lead in case he nipped our legs.” Michelle sought help from a local trainer, but Dante's behaviour continued to deteriorate. “It got to the stage where every time I saw a dog, I’d panic,” she says. “It was miserable. You get terrible looks from people. I got to the point where I didn’t want to walk him anymore.” The situation became so overwhelming that Michelle even worried about having to give Dante up, despite how much she loved him. Invaluable support and advice