On Father's day, 2010, I went to the local shelter. I asked my friend, Tiffany, for a medium sized, lazy, quiet dog. She took us straight to Maddie. She was a bit stand-offish, but I thought she would get over it with a safe environment and plenty of affection.

Well, it's over two months later, and she has made some progress, but she goes back and forth. We have ten acres of land, so she goes in and out as she pleases and gets plenty of exercise on her own. When I try to interact with her, however, she wants nothing. She doesn't play, I've hardly ever heard her bark unless she's had a nightmare, and she avoids people, even us still.

She has no play instinct at all. I've tried balls, old socks, tug ropes. Nothing gets her attention. I also have not found any treats she likes, and feeding is an exercise in patience. She seems afraid to even eat from her bowl. She is also afraid of any water unless it's in her dish, so bath time is a weight lifting game.

She pulls out of her collar when we try to walk her, so I got her a harness, but she pulls on that until it rubs her fur off. I know I should be walking her, but I am a lazy pack leader. That's why I asked for a lazy dog, and walking her around the yard is just boring.

All I want is a more social dog, who isn't afraid of people and will eat and play without fear. I keep telling myself that I should be happy that she is not agressive or a barker at everything. I had a poodle/lhasa apso mix that I gave to my mother because she was just a yapping beanie baby.

I don't know what to do. I am trying to be patient and give her as much love and affection as she will allow. But I want her to trust me and Bob that we won't let anyone else hurt her, and we never will.

I know she can be a happy dog; I've seen glimpses of it. She wants to play and be happy, I can feel it. She is just so afraid.

Please help.

My family has always wanted a dog, so recently my husband and I looked around for one that we felt would fit our lifestyle. We found Pepper at an adopt-a-thon a few miles from home. She is a 9month old border collie mix. We were drawn to her by her quiet almost polite demenor and the loyalty she showed twords the shelter worker. This was a privately owned shelter that due to the economy was going under. But that is a whole nother story all togeather!
We were told that Pepper hates to be crated since she was rescued from a house where 150 dogs were found in cages and rarely if ever let out. We understood from that statement alone we would have some rehab to do with her. She is a very loving dog with a great personality when she lets us see it.
Pepper is very very reserved. She hides in the corner when she is scared and refuses to make any eye contact. Recently she has bonded with me but shys from everyone if there is more then one person in the room. She has great social skills with other dogs in the neighborhood and my indoor cat. Its just with people. I am sure she was beaten at some point since my son walked in the house with his baseball bat and Pepper jumped and hid.
When she first came home she revused to eat or drink. We purchased the same food she was feed at the shelter so I know it isnt a "taste" issue. She has started to drink water from her bowl and recieves much praise for it. But eating is another matter. She will not eat. After 3 days I took a small bowl of her food and mixed it with some canned food that I was told she had never had. She timidly ate about half a can and a handfull of her dry food. She has started taking a few treats, maybe two a day. When I walk in the door it is a 15 min process to get her to come out of the bedroom she hides in to go outside and then she will only stay there while I sit with her. She loves her walks(several everyday) but comes home and hides.
Honestly I have never really been exposed to Cesar and his ways, but from what I have seen and heard he REALY knows his stuff. I am going to go to the local library and get all the info I can to help Pepper. I know she is a great dog behind all the fears. Does anyone have any suggestions where to start my learning journey to help her?
Thank you so much in advance!

4 years ago I got 2 Siberian Huskies from an owner who didn't want them anymore. They are both up in age. The female, Precious was kept in a kennel, but is fine, except that she steals everyone's food bowl when they leave it unattended. Thunder was kept on a rope tied to a clothesline. When we brought him home, he went directly under our deck and stayed there. He has been very fearful of all humans, even my husband and I. When he got close enough to get petted, he would enjoy it for awhile, but as soon as you would break contact, he would run again. Now, after 4 years and after subscribing to your newsletters, he is finally coming around. He will now come right up to me to be petted and not run away as much. He doesn't stay under the deck anymore. It's a start. I would like to thank you for helping me to help my dog with his fear.

We have recently found a lost/abandoned dog wandering our neighbourhood and terribly frightened. We took her in, and after falling in love with her, decided to keep her, as no one has claimed her.
She is very smart and attentive, but has no training. She has relaxed and is happy in our home, but our only problem is taking her out for walks. She is terrified of everything around her, and immediately turns around and pulls the leash to go home, or she runs around in zig-zags with her body close to the ground, and she's very strong for her tiny size! She tries to poo and pee as soon as she gets outside, but seems to be afraid of where to go, often pulling me into other people's yards. I don't want to discourage her from going, as she isn't quite house-trained yet. She now hesitates quite a bit in the morning when I go to take her out, and thinks she is going to get in trouble when she needs to pee.
I don't want to turn going outside or going pee into a negative experience, but I don't know how to help her feel secure to pee and walk in an open area.
Would love some advice!

Hello, I recently adopted a 4/5yr old Aussie Shepherd, Bailey that I have had now about 3.5months. The first 2.5months have been great until one Sunday morning Bailey spotted a hot air baloon flying low over us. Thought she was going to jump out of her fur. I contacted the woman who had the Aussie rescue place and asked if she knew of any of htis behaviour from Bailey. She suggestred I continue to get her to go outside and not give in to her fears. I rewarded her maybe 15 minutes into our walk if she didnt freak out. There have been good days and bad and today was the worst.

We started our walk fine but then she started to stare up into the trees and smell the air and started to shake. I tried to sound upbeat and continue our walk saying c'mon Bailey, lets go. She flattened herself on the ground and was pulling to go home. This time I gave and as soon as we got in the house, she hid in the bathroom and the the bedroom all the while staring up at the ceiling like the sky was going to fall.
I would sure appreciate any help or suggestions from anyone. I am willing to work with her for whatever it takes. Bailey is a great dog and since I dont know much of her background, I realize I need lots of patience. Just need to know how to handle this situation.

Thanks for any input from any readers.

Sincerely,
Affy and Bailey