[Curly Girl]

Hi there, I have a 1 year old female shih tzu and up until a few months ago she was a fun loving playful puppy who loved going to the dark park to play.

A few months ago she had a few bad experiences with dogs; she was chased by an aggressive dog out of the park and ran all the way up to the entrance to our building. Shortly after that, there was an other incident where she was doing her business in the dark behind our building and a larger, off leash dog ran up to her and scared her.

Now she is afraid of all dogs except for the ones she knows.

To try and rehabilitate her, we continued to bring her to the dog park to see other dogs but wouldn't let her off leash. Each time a dog would approach her she would be come scared and want to run and hide.

Recently we found in indoor dog park where we can bring her to socialize with dogs her own size. The first time we brought her with one of our friends dogs and she seemed to be OK, wasn't playing but didn't run away scared from other dogs. The next day we brought her back on own own and she was so terrifed, that she made a bee-line for the exit every time she was scared.

Neither myself nor husband are scared of dogs, so I don't think we display that kind of energy towards her....so now I'm not quite sure on how what we need to do to help correct his problem.

Do we continue to bring her there each weekend and hope she gets better?

Any advise would be greatly appreciated!!!

[unstresst]

Don't show or verbalize sorrow or sympathy when she's being scared......keep your attitude and words calm, confident, and PLEASENTLY bussiness-like.

If she still walks IN TO the dog park with no fear, you have a chance.
Depending on the dog, I have two possible ideas.
When she cowers from an approaching dog, put her facing away from that dog and laying down.
If she stays still enough when the other dog approaches, you're doin ok......if she kicks up a fuss, the INSTANT the fuss starts, shoo the other dog away quietly,calmy and firmly.
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The other idea......If she stays at your side while walking on leash, walk her through the park at a quick busssiness-like pace. passing close to other dogs, but don't let her distract from that 'walk' .....if she fusses too much when passing close to dogs, it's time to try something else

[CorkyMax]

Maybe you can give her a treat each time you see another dog approaching. Repeat each time so she associates a pleasant thing when a dog comes near.
Will also serve to distract her, esp. after she gets the 'hang of it' and will start to be a signal that she is going to receive a treat.