ok,I know with all the dogs ive had,over the years,I should be able to deal with this,and I will,but maybe someone has a better idea,or any tips,please?My puppy was allowed to go out today ,feet on floor for the first time,she was scared so I carried her to the field,with jess,plopped her down,and she was scared and shaking,wouldnt move.Ok,I know,what did I expect?Next time Il take treats and just take it slowly,and hopefully shel be less worried as time goes on.Shes 14weeks,alittle late,I know,as she hadnt had any jabs when i had her.I have carried her out,several times,but shes very heavy after a bit,so she probably hasnt had enough socialising.Can I ease things a bit for her?

I would suggest just exposing her to all the regular stuff and making her deal with it.

In other words don't carry her around let her find out stuff is ok by just letting her get on with it on her own. If you have her on a lead you can lead her across/through scary stuff until she gets over the fear and realises its cool!

You might also find using food a lot helps, basically everytime she is presented with a fear she is also presented with high value food.

I would also train her to a high level in basic commands, this way when she hits the 2nd fear period (much older) you can tell her how to behave instead of having her make the (wrong) decision.

Adam

I still did some carrying even past the 'allowed to have paws on the floor' stage as it's convenient and you can cover greater distances but they do get heavy don't they. 

We don't see much traffic here in our village so a few times we drove to a busy car park and the two of us sat in the boot and watched the world go by, park benches are great for good weather too and it means the pup can sit and observe without too much interraction initially.  The world can be overwhelming at first so just take it slowly and yes, take loads of treats but try to feed when she is doing something positive like sitting, looking at you, walking on the lead etc.

I plonked mine on his fleece in a shopping trolley at the garden centre, we got to see lots of elderly ladies, weird christmas displays, and schoolkids later in the day and I didn't have to break my back lugging the lump around.  Teeth shaking rides in a trolley around the car park are much more fun than you might imagine :)

You'll probably be surprised at how quickly she adapts but the 'chicken little stage' when they look as though the sky might be falling isn't unusual.  Good luck :)

I agree with dogs a babe, search out some nice park benches and just sit and relax together. Try not to reward her for being nervous as praise and treats at the wrong time can inadvertantly re-inforce the nervous behaviour you're trying to extinguish (as dogs a babe said: give her treats when she's doing something else, like a sit etc...).
If she enjoys playing with toys at home and in the garden, you can probably get her to loosen up outside with a good game with a fave toy. She might need a little persuading, but let your inhibitions go and try not to worry about on-lookers!! (I've mastered the art of looking like the men in white coats should be called asap, but it's really rewarding when the dog/pup responds and you have a great game together, even if it's just a running around game!).
You might also want to try scattering treats on the ground when she's not looking so that yummy things just pop out of the ground!! Magic! (That way the reward is not linked with you as it is during training a specific exercise. However, if you don't want your dog picking things up off the floor then think carefully....although you can also train a good "leave it" once she's more confidant).
I hope that makes sense and sorry for waffling on :o)

thanks adam,ive already got her booked into training classes,I hope i can get her to move by then!And yes,Imust remember the treats,I forgot today and couldve slapped myself!By the way,my other dog Jess seemed to get very scared,people,dogs etc,around 5-6 months,would that be the age youd expect the 2nd fear period?Just wondered.

What a good idea,Dogs a babe,a trolley!Before I had her,I was looking into slings,carriers and pushchairs,to carry her about during the few weeks before she could  walk herself.Since Ive had her Ive tried her in a shoulder bag(she was too big!)A pushchair-didnt seem safe,and a small plastic trolley thing with a handle,a car harness on her,but to push it,you had to tip it back,not safe!So I gave it all up and carried the little lump,funny how they get heavier the further you go!Finally,I reasoned it wouldnt be long before she could go out-then I find shes too scared to walk!Son said "just keep walking,she l get the idea"-we had a disagreement as I didnt think dragging her yards would do our friendship much good!And there was no way I could encourage her to move,Imean,I dont care how stupid I look in a good cause!I wish I had a supermarket trolley,I reckon that wouldve done fine!

That wasnt woffle,oranqutan,that was sense,and thanks!We have benches on our local park,Itl be a good excuse for a good sit down,and there are diggers and workmen there for her to goggle at(poor mite!)Its all experience,and hopefully she l realise,any "danger" has to get past mum first!Maybe I can get her interested in a wriggly tuggy rope,take her mind off her fears!She is so good in other ways,I hope it wont be too long before shes more confident!

I had this , I used to pop her on the floor and encourage her to move with silly high pitched voice.  usually she's move a few steps then nothing.  So picked up, walked a few yards then try again.  Found the more i did it, the further she went.  Eventually she liked keeping with the big one.  it was the lead she didn't more. 

Second one, first one walked her round the house on her lead, it was so cute.  She had no issues and just wanted to be with the other two.

Couls also try staning a little in front and call her to you or see if she will follow if you start to walk away.  Couls you play on the field chasing side to side or your son hold her then you call her with something playful in your hand.

Love the trolly and watching the world go by idea.

when we have a new puppy we take them out together with an older dog. Go to the park in the car then let the pup off the lead with the older dog , we then call the pup to each other making it like a game they then forget they are worried then we go for a little walk (pup off lead)then back home.

> Son said "just keep walking,she l get the idea"-we had a disagreement as I didnt think dragging her yards would do our friendship much good

I totally agree with you.  My first Bearded Collie was fearful of traffic.  Bred in the country and used to pigs, horses, goats etc but a big lorry was a scaredy thing.  And, like you, I didn't think forcing the issue was wise, and took the easy does it approach.

thanks everybody!Im about to try again,armed with treats,tuggy,and older sis jess!Darent leave her off lead yet,we re too near the road,although I think that might help.Could be the extender upset her,so Il try a normal lead.Will let you know how we get on!Thanks for advice everyone!

Success!We met my daughter and kids and small dog out there,and it seemed to give her confidence,despite trying to hide under the pushchair,getting stuck,and then getting snapped at by said small dog(could it get any worse!)She spent a good ten minutes wandering on the lead,and sniffing,interspersed with sitting and looking worried,we were both jollying her along,and im well pleased,Im sure she l be fine.Phew!

> She spent a good ten minutes wandering on the lead,and sniffing,interspersed with sitting and looking worried,we were both jollying her along,and im well pleased

Yay :-)

Buster was terrified at the thought of going for a walk. He was 11 weeks old when I got him, so 13 weeks before he could go on the floor. Up untill that point I carried him around (and boy was he heavy!!), but being carried did nothing to get him used to walking in the big scary world under his own steam :(
He was so bad he didn't even want to walk out the door - wouldn't even go up the hallway to the door if he thought he had to go out, if I did get him out the door he'd chuck himself on the front lawn, trying to clamp himself to it and wet himself :(

I spent ages firstly getting him used to going to the door (I'd sit in the porch and patiently wait for him to come and sit with me), then I would sit on the doorstep with him on a lead (still in the porch if he wanted to be), just letting him get used to the sights, sounds & smells. At every sign of progress (eg, curiosity in stead of avoidance, a step forward etc.) he had gentle praise and a biccy (OTT praise in this situation only made him feel like things were a big deal).. I did this a couple of times a day, moving more outdoors when I felt Buster was ready, untill we used to sit on the front lawn. He gradually decided things were worth investigating so we could start going on little walks :)

Your girlie doesn't sound as bad as Buster was and seems to be doing well allready, but it still may be usefull to sit on your doorstep/front garden watching the world go by :)

good idea,mastifflover!,If Im brave enough to sit on my doorstep-ive no front garden,its the pavement,but Im willing to do it,who cares what people think!I think it would do Gwen good,and get her used to outside sights and sounds.Im a bit annoyed because Ive not managed to get her out today(babysitting ,vet visit,etc)but tomorrows another day!How is Buster now,by the way?I bet he was a weight,too!She about broke my arm!

>How is Buster now,by the way?

It  took 3 or 4 weeks to get him happy about going for a walk, sadly shortly after enjoying a walk he got a limp which turned out to be elbow displasia and got so bad he couldn't manage more than a few yards for several months :-(
After months of very carefully building up his walks he can mange a 40 min daily walk now, best of all he LOVES going walk :-)
He'll be 4 years old this summer and to see him, you would never believe, that as a pup, he used to widdle in fright at the thought of a walk!

Well, thats brilliant,Im glad he got over his fears in the end!Im taking Gwen out again later today,Im hopeful she might get even braver this time!Theres nohing more heartrending than a scared pup!

How are things going?

With this sort of problem, it's the old classical conditioning you need to use and this is all about "association" rather than a dog operating on its environment to get rewards.

Desensitisation: gradually exposing pup to "things" at a pace they can handle, without causing fearful reaction
Counterconditioning: roughly, making them think it's really great, so include food, games, toys, fun etc.

So basically I'd suggest doing everything in very tiny steps and ensuring pup is happy before progressing. Also, give "nice things" generously - this can include toys but usually food is much easier.

Example: dog exposed gently to man with funny hat, no too close.
As man moves near, give treats generously. As man goes past, stop giving food and relax.

Example 2: Expose to "outdoors" (back garden to start? depends where you are situated as to how "scary" the environment might be).
Lots of food and happy jolly attitude from mum. Go back indoors and relax.

It's not related to rewards for good behaviour :)
Of course you can do that as well, but it's not the way to alter emotions so much. That belongs to the above :)

Lindsay
x

Oh bless her....she'll get there...

I agree lots of gentle short exposures and at her own pace...

I also find with Collies that you need to clear your mind completely of any "angry internal dialogue" before approaching them :)

You know the sort of thing...where you're chuntering away in your own head...about the bloomin' washing machine being on the blink again...and needing to get a whole stack of washing done.... and doesn't it ALWAYS go on the blink just at the most inconvenient time....and how you've just wasted 45 minutes of your life holding to speak to someone at a call centre.....who doesn't understand the FIRST thing about customer service....and....

Now my partners Irish Setter...he's not one bit interested or affected by my problems...but my Collies...well...any "angry chuntering" going on in my head...and anyone would think I was approaching them with a big stick to beat them with :)

So...clear your head...sit on the step with her...watch the world go by....and enjoy the moment....theres a lifetime of exploring to do together :)

Thanks Lindsay,even better today,AND she walked up the street for the first time!The last time I put her down on the street,she made a beeline for the nearest door and refused to budge!I took the grandkids with us,they had a quick play on the swings while Jess chased a ball-pup seemed to think"hang on,this looks like fun!"so I had to run about a bit.might try a long line tomorrow.She was ILOADs more confident today,but being brave mustve worn her out,she s slept loads today!Thanks for the tips on using treats,as well! I will be taking things slowly, though,no point in rushing!

Thankyou,Freedom of Spirit,I do so agree with that- - My son,who s lovely,often comes for a walk(he s 39),but he has a way of discussing things that get me cross - now Im a pretty mild type,and it takes a lot to make me even raise my voice - but somehow i ll end up arguing my point loudly(He just has the knack-I once told him I wouldnt walk with him again,you know how it is,they think theyre right and you KNOW theyre wrong!)and it does worry the dogs,Jess will turn and look,and then walk behind,So now,I just let him get on with it and go"mmm"a lot!So its only a step from there to what youre thinking,I do try to stay calm,or"project calm"if there a situation coming up that could worry the dogs.    I said I was determined to enjoy every minute with Gwen,even the naughty ones,there havnt been many of those,and I am so looking forward to sharing the years with her and Jess.!

Ah Gwen is a lovely name :o).
Sounds like you're doing great! Well done and keep up the good work...it's nice to hear that she's relaxed enough to play!! Brilliant x