i've been taking lily (4 1/2 month jack russell) to puppy socialisation classes for the past month and she's being doing well with the other dogs, but the other day we encountered a problem on her walk. she was off her lead and walking near us when we came across a medium sized poodle thing on a lead, it seemed friendly enough. well, lily started barking at it and it walked over a little, obviously wondering what the hell was barking at it, not menacingly or anything. and lily, the little wuss, started screaming and running in the opposite direction. well i was slightly bemused at this reaction and ran after her to give her a hug. well the next day whilst on a walk on her lead she met a cat. and the same thing happened.....

unfortunately i don't know any other dog owners round here so she doesnt get to meet other dogs except for at her class and when my parents come to visit with their girls occasionally, which i suppose doesnt help.

what can i do ??

sarah
:(

My initial reaction would be to "run after her and give her hug" would simply have reinforced her fear, I'm sure other more constructive replies will be along later. Nicki

One of my dogs is like this, he starts barking and screeching and its very hard on other dog owners, Jake is so timid he wouldnt hurt a fly but the noise makes him look like a right bully.
What I do is pull him in and hold him until the other dog has passed or Jake is calm all the time praising him for being quiet, things are getting better with him.
Sandie.

We used to have a Rottie bitch that did something similar. She would screach like a seal - a terrible din!!!! We just completely ignored the noise and carried on with the walk making sure that she had plenty of socialisation with other dogs. If you cuddle or talk soothingly to your dog you'll be reinforcing the problem and your dog will associate that you are praising by rewarding the unwelcome behaviour with a reward of cuddling.

it's quite hard to ignore her when she's running at top speed across a field absolutely terrified...

Lily,

Take her to an area where there are likely to be other dogs. Keep her on the lead at all times and let her meet other dogs when she is close to you. She will be a lot braver when she is tethered and close to you. When she is happy with this arrangement then she should be okay anywhere. She's just a puppy now, so she is going to be a bit insecure. As others have said, just don't reinforce the insecurity - it's accomplished a lot easier when she is on the lead.

Stacey

Maybe have a word with the nurse at the vets? They may be able to help you, failing that your puppy class trainer may be able to help with some of the pups from the previous class.

I would agree that running after her may have given her the message that you were scared too - it may have been better for you to run in the opposite direction.....This would have encouraged her to follow you rather than make her own decision

Do you know what her parents and litter mates are like ie are they nervous at all?

I suspect she hasn't had enough socialisation - meeting pups at class is expected, whereas meeting any kind of living creature outsied when she doesnt normally is actually quite terrifying.

I would try very hard to take her to places where she can "bump into" other hopefully friendly dogs .... but at the same time dont overdo it or she will be scarded. Her reaction was quit extreme so just plonkingher in with strange dogs may even turn it into a phobia.....you will need to be careful and make the nearby presence of other dogs very pleasant, so carry plenty of treats (very high value such as liver) and reward her for even being near other dogs.

I do feel you may need help though, preferable wiht a trainer who understands canine behaviour.

Good luck
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Lindsay

should'nt have cuddled her you should have took back over on her lead and showed there was nothing to be afraid of ,your turn her into a right old wuss if your not careful!