Hi Samantha,

The thing about irrational fears is that they are just that; irrational. Sometimes it can help to know where they come from, but often, you can not figure that out, and even when you can, it doesn't change the fear itself.

Behavior modification is the same for all beings and learning theory is learning theory; what works for dogs works for people, too .

You would find tons of desensitization threads on this forum, for example, if you were to look for them, and they all discuss the gradual adaptation to the feared object.

So, regardeless of where your fear has come from, I think if you back up and do the groundwork with this new dog, building your relationship with it before you try to do any formal training, as Connie and others suggest, in effect you will be doing your own desensitization program even as you build a bond with the new dog.

And, every moment you spend with this new dog is training/learning time; learning doesn't just happen when you're in formal training mode. Once you have built a relationship that is based on trust, then you can start to work on commands. For now, there's no reason to call the dog to you; just go to him and get him and bring him with you.

leih

If your corgi is anything like mine you'll have to provide a lot of "what's in it for me?" They are sassy, smart little dogs, but pleasing you just for its own sake isn't their highest priority. But they are worth the extra effort. Provide lots of positive rewards (bribes, at first!) and set some ground rules that you are consitent with. My corgi, Fanny, is 4 and will still try to get away with a lot if I let her. Sit? Why? My butt is already 2 inches from the ground. That's close enough, right? Oh, you really mean it? Okay.