OK, so this is the plan ... (mad dog calming)

[luckyblackcat]

So Teasel has been almost housebound for weeks due to season. The DC really wanted to go to the lake at the weekend, so we decided to risk it (on the basis that her season is so light and nearly over).

Dog was wildly excited by every person and dog that she met, even with dogmatic on was quite difficult (she now weighs 25k) I did walk her into (our local small)town twice at the end of last week and sat on a bench with her watching people, she seemed to calm down towards the end of each walk.

Should I really go for broke and take her on the school run and walk her through the high st of the major town and sit outside Sainsbo every day for a fortnight in the vain hope that she just gets the idea that every person isn't her new best friend?

I tried to take her to training this am, but she just barked and barked at the other dogs (excited/nervous ? not aggresive) so wasn't allowed to join in until calm - which didn't happen really.

The vet has put her on a low dose of clomicalm, as her anxiety seems to be getting worst not better - when the DC move away from her when out, even if still close by and visable, when I am in house but not in room with her she is really barking.

She doesn't spend very much time alone, but it seems the more time we spend with her the more she needs us - so DD was off sick for 2 days last week, so dog spent much of each day laying on sofa with DD. When DD back at school I have to work and do chores so dog not with me all the time and gets really stressed.

How did I get such a neurotic dog, I am not a shouter or smacker, she has been everywhere with us from little and used to be really great.

Poor you, LBC. It could still be her hormones, couldn't it? iirc she has got noticeably worse since her season began.

I would do the school run/bag lady outside Sainsbury's routine, rewarding only calm behaviour. Am sure Minimu would have good ideas too.

Or I could swap you for a fiercely independent pup of same age?

Look at where her hormones are: see graph

Yes she is worse now, so could be hormones. I always seem to be making excuses for her, she young, she has pmt...

I thought you had posted that pup in a jiffy bag?

I did, but Minimu wrote 'return to sender'

Have you got your parcel yet Bella?

LBC how old is your dog now?

I personally wouldn't take her to the Sainsbury run yet. It does sound as if she is a little anxious and this may just reinforce her fear and concerns.

When you are at home you must train her to be on her own so when your son was poorly put her in another room for a while so she is comfortable to be on her own. This must be done daily and regularly.

Eg mine come back from a walk and are shut in the kitchen on their own for a sleep - not for hours but it does mean they are comfortable on their own.

Does she have any calm moments? If she does tell her good calm and click and treat her. She will soon associate the word calm with that behaviour so then you can ask her to be calm in other situations.

You do need to get her socialised and I would do this on a succeed only basis. SO start off in a quietish situation (not sure of your location but maybe a local park with children playing in the distant. If you can not get her calm at this distance you will not do so if you go nearer. Then up the stakes a bit so if worried about cars get your car to go past her and when she is calm praise her and then take to quiet road etc.
If things make her go crazy again go back a stage. You will move on guite quickly I hope.