Any Suggestions To Help With Fear

[Kirislin]

Since Neko was tiny I socialised her and she's been fantastic with other dogs. A few days before I went into hospital she saw her brother Arkey get chased by some whippets (not mine) It started out as a game he was happy to participate in, but when he realised how fast the whippets were he got frightened. Although he wasn't hurt, he squealed in fear. Neko wasn't invovled at all but she saw it happen. I didn't think anything of it at the time. She then went to stay with the breeder while I was in hospital and wasn't walked outside his property. When I got her back she seemed normal, but once I was well enough to walk her at the park I noticed she was very nervous of dogs she'd previously been relaxed and playful with.

I thought back as to what might have caused her fear and I can only assume she remembered Arkeys fright and has taken it on as her own. I am unsure what to do. I dont want to molly coddle her but I do want her to know she can trust and rely on me to protect her.

I have gone back to what I used to do when she was a puppy, which is to keep her on lead and walk behind the regular group of dog walkers, letting her observe them interacting with each other while keeping a safe distance from them so she wont feel crowded or threatened. It's only been 2 days of this so far and I think she's improving but I was wondering if I'm doing the right thing and/or if anyone has any other suggestions as to how I can get her over this.

[espinay2]

this article may have something you can draw on: http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/early_doesnt_mean.html

[ish]

Perhaps its a fear period as opposed to memories of the fright her brother got? I think you're doing the right thing and if she can't cope with that, I'd keep her home for a few weeks before trying again

[grumpette]

Yep you are on the right track with Neko. Making sure that all her interactions around other dogs are positive and that perception will grow stronger for her.

Another thought is that depending on her age, she could have been going through her last fear period, so her brother's reaction has stuck with her. Again, making sure that all dog interactions are positive should help to lessen her fear.

[Tassie]

this article may have something you can draw on: http://www.positivedogs.com/articles/early_doesnt_mean.html

Thanks for the link espinay - great article to have handy.

And kirislin - I'm a huge fan of what you're doing - parallel (or in your case, in line) leash walking - staying sub threshhold. They pretty quickly learn to relax - if only with that group of dogs. (I had a BC boy who seemed to have to learn each dog individually (where's the roll eyes emoticon gone.)

[BC Crazy]

Another big thanks from me too Espinay. Great link

[Kirislin]

Perhaps it is unfortunate timing that it happened when it did, she turned 1 year old on Aug 3rd. Thanks for the link Espinay.

I'll continue to do what I'm doing then as I know all the dogs at the park and if there were ever any I dont know I can steer clear of them. I just want my spunky little girl back.

[indigirl]

I'm thinking it's her age too Kirislin, a year old is when they often seem to get phobias. My Dali was relatively normal til he was a year old lol. Now he's a neurotic mess that completely falls apart if he even sees a child.

Hopefully Ms Neko can overcome her fears.