[ebakerwhite]

My border collie/german shepard/? mix is a rescue we adopted when she was 9.5 weeks old. She is now 1 year old. At first she was just afraid of stairs. We used to take her to the dog park but she is submissive and about 3-4 months ago was overrun by 4 or 5 dogs and stayed crouched down until we approached and the dogs left. She then started being afraid of narrow passages and is now completely afraid to go into the kitchen to eat her food. I can't leave the food out too long because the cat will eat it! I have been leaving the food at the edge of the kitchen and she eats it by stretching out her body and flinching at every sound. Also, there is someone new in the house, my mother-in-law moved in with us 2 months ago.

She is a good dog and usually listens to our commands. How can I help my dog to overcome her fears.

Thanks!

[CorkyMax]

Are you still taking her to the park (where she is afraid of other dogs attacking her)? Will she take treats from your hand when you offer them? I just did a reply not long ago in this forum that I am going to give a link to: My Dog is Scared of Other Dogs
If you can answer yes to the 2 questions above--Maybe you can try what I posted to someone else. What do you think?

[ebakerwhite]

Thank you for your response. No, although she loves to play with other "non-alpha" dogs, we have not been back to the dog park, mostly because it has been so cold. There is another park that we can go to that is smaller with fewer dogs. Are you suggesting that we not take her to the park anymore?

Yes, she will take treats by hand. I read your response and I have been trying to get her to take a step closer to her usual feeding spot. She did get a little closer so I think and hope your suggestion works.

Thanks again!!!

[CorkyMax]

Originally Posted by ebakerwhite

Thank you for your response. No, although she loves to play with other "non-alpha" dogs, we have not been back to the dog park, mostly because it has been so cold. There is another park that we can go to that is smaller with fewer dogs. Are you suggesting that we not take her to the park anymore? No, no!! Take her to the park and use the treat method at the park (as mentioned in that other thread I sent you.----Condition her to associate a good thing when other dogs approach.

Yes, she will take treats by hand. I read your response and I have been trying to get her to take a step closer to her usual feeding spot. She did get a little closer so I think and hope your suggestion works. I hope so too. Saw this idea on 'Victoria's' tv show.

Thanks again!!!

You are welcome!

[sweetdog888]

My dog is also afraid of other dogs and I take him to the park regularly and eventually he got used to it.

[leashedForLife]

Originally Posted by sweetdog888

My dog is also afraid of other dogs and I take him to the park regularly and eventually he got used to it.

hey, 888! :--)
the behavioral-science term for this is * flooding * -
its a very bad idea, as it frequently makes fears WORSE - not better.

(if U are familiar with a certain TV-presenter, the Dog-Wrestler also uses flooding; the method has been out of favor for approx 40-odd years )

if i am afraid of flying in planes, and U stuff me into a seat on a plane traveling from NY to Australia, i will probably never get back to NY - unless via a cruise ship. and the flight-attendant may need to have a Dr sedate me, to keep me from becoming hysterical after a few hours. : eek! :
cheers,
--- terry

[Todd]

The dogs seems to have phobias of several different things. The dog park for one. The dogs obviously had a traumatic experience when she was overrun by the 4 or 5 dogs. I say taker her back to the park! Just like in the case of us humans, running/avoiding out problems does nothing to solve the problem and can create new ones. It is common for a new dog to be overrun at first meeting. Dogs are pack animals, and establish/enforce their own ranking system within the said pack. Your dog is obviously submissive which is completely fine. The other dogs will recognize this and generally will quit "bullying" her once she accepts/they recognize her status in the pack (which in this case would be at the low end/submissive end). Dogs will usually work things out among the pack. If your dog gets scared and runs to you for comfort, don't acknowledge this behavior. You don't want her to think it is acceptable to seek your refuge unless it is an emergency situation. If she tries to hind in between your legs, simply move your body and ignore her behavior. She'll soon learn that she can't run to you every time she's scared. She'll learn to work things out herself much like a child. Once she earns her spot in the pack, things should settle down. Don't intervene unless she is getting hurt. Also, make her experience at the dog park as positive as possible with plenty of verbal rewards, treats, and toys!

As far as the kitchen situation goes, has she ever had any traumatic experiences in the kitchen? Most likely so whether you were around or not. I'd continue the method you've been using, but placing the treats on the ground, and every time she takes a step into the kitchen praise her and give her a treat/toy. When she eats her meals, initially place the bowl barley inside the kitchen like you do now. Each day, move the bowl a foot or so further into the kitchen. By desensitizing the dog to the kitchen very gradually, the success rate should be a lot more prevalent. if she stops going for the food, move the bowl back a bit. No need to rush the process. Make sure things in the house are peaceful during mealtime. If all else fails (which it should not) you can always just leave the food in the kitchen and refuse to move it. Dogs will not starve themselves. After a few missed meals, your dog will most likely give in and go for the food.

Same goes for the stairs/other fearful areas. Desensitize with the use of treats and praise.

Good Luck!