[Ken]

...get her to respect me? I got a 6 year old Italian Greyhound rescue dog two months ago with my wife. She has been through a lot in her life, but we are trying to give her a happy life. However, she loves my wife, responds with wags and kisses when she comes home, but doesn’t even look in my direction when I come home. Furthermore, she is terrified of me to the point of biting and running away when I try to pick her up.Tonight, as I tired putting a harness on her, I literally scared the poop right out of her. Although she lost all her teeth and her bites don’t break the surface, it is really hurting my pride. I feel frustrated and upset.I am trying to be firm with her, but I seem to be traumatizing her worse and worse with each attempt at conditioning her.What do I do to make her respect me?

[daphne]

Now isnt the time to be firm, but extra mellow. Let your wife snuggle with the pup, sit down next to them and let your wife show the pup that you are a good guy.
You can also switch it up and have your wife complely ignore the dog and lavish the dog with attention when you are home. Feed her the best stinkest treats you can find and she will figure out that you are on her side.

My rescue still wont go up to blond puffy haired women, but if I sit down with them Burke will allow them to pet him, and will jump to their lap after a few minutes. It has been 6 years since I've adopted him and he still has set backs with strangers.
Ignore bad behavior ( unless its dangerous like biting) and just go at your pups pace.