How can I help my puppy be less nervous?

[eatingmyslippers]

Our much planned and longed-for 11-week-old mini Dachshund came home with us a fortnight ago and is on the whole amazing: she's settled in beautifully, is eating and drinking well, sleeping properly, loves to play with us and the children (DC 8&10), knows her name and is getting the hang of toilet training.

The only issue is that when I leave the house with her she is absolutely terrified. She's not allowed out on her lead/harness just yet as she's awaiting her final vaccine (next week) but to get her acclimatised to the outside world I've been carrying her out with me to the corner shop or to get a coffee.

She HATES being out of the house. She shakes, whimpers and burrows her way into me whenever we're out, and I'm worried if we don't tackle this straight away she won't enjoy going out for walks/socialising with other dogs.

Has anyone experienced this with a pup they've managed to successfully reassure and encouraged to love the outside world? I really want to help her feel morre safe and secure outside.

I'm no behaviourist but sounds like you need to go back a few steps. Once she's terrified and shaking, you've gone too far and tipped her over the anxiety edge and you're not going to get her back to a happy dog again until she's back home.

Carry her to where she's happy, bright and looking around, then go home again. Even if that's just to the end of the driveway and back. Going a little further each time, with lots of praise and happy vibes.

More experienced people may say this is rubbish haha but it may help.

Lots of tips here: www.dogstrust.org.uk/help-advice/training/

I think you're going too quickly.

Instead of carrying her around with you, can you drive to say, a park where there'll be lots of sights, sounds, people and dogs, and just sit on a bench with her? Then, give her treats and praise for calm behaviour.

Lots of small dogs don't like being carried around (even though it's sometimes necessary) so maybe the combination of carrying plus new things is a bit too much for her yet :)