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Old May 17th, 2004, 10:58 AM
Lucky Rescue Lucky Rescue is offline
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Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 10,287
The most important thing is for your puppy to learn to trust you completely to keep her out danger, or what she perceives as danger!

Therefore you must never force her to face her fears, as this will only reinforce her idea that you will not keep her safe.

Stop walking before she acts afraid. If you can see trucks etc in the distance but your dog is not acting fearful, then just sit for a minute, practice a little obedience and go back home. You may only get to the end of your driveway for a long time, but this must be done at your puppy's pace. It could literally be inches at a time - but there is no other way.

You desensitize by gradually getting closer to the thing she fears, and, by her getting treats and praise for not showing fear, she should one day associate the cars, etc. with GOOD things! If she won't accept treats, then you know you are going too fast, so back up and start over.

If you force her to approach what scares her, you could make her fearful for life and she won't trust you to protect her.

For now, just stay in your yard. Play games, throw a ball etc. until she is at ease there.

This can be a very slow process, so you need lots of patience.

Here is one of the most important tips of all: NEVER EVER comfort or soothe her when she is acting afraid!!! She doens't understand the words, and to her, it sounds like you are praising her for being afraid. COMPLETELY ignore her fear and only praise when she is not showing fear.

Thank you for taking in this poor baby. She is very lucky to have found you!!
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