First I should have asked you if you are familiar with marker training. If so, then what you do is teach her to watch you and sit or down (to use also). Make sure that's solid on those before asking it with a distraction.

For now when you take her out...just use distance as a buffer zone and give her treats for being calm and also for paying attention to you...the more engaged the better. Gradually over time not in one day..just get closer to her triggers and keep working on the same thing...only reward her for ignoring it and getting calmer. If she has a bad time, just take a step back, NEVER push.

I'll give an example: Lets say you are walking at a school ground and there are some swings with too kids on them. If she is terrified of that from there either show her swings are ok when nobody is there or get farther away from them and work on getting her attention...just 5 minutes or less twice per day. Then what you do the next time is get closer.

If she's afraid of people, don't let them approach her. Once you have gotten her calm near them, let her approach them (with instructions to not pet but let her sniff). Then have them toss her bits of food, and encourage her to investigate them to get food. They have to be non-reactive, not trying to pet her for it to work. But this will come later not now.

See if this is helpful...if you have any questions just let me know, there's always somebody here to answer it.

Oh I forgot: you may have figured this already but I recommend using a flat martingale collar or a sense-ation harness. Both are gentle and she can't escape if she tries to bolt. I would not use any kind of choke chain or prong and not a regular harness where she can pull either...you want to redirect her and never correct her for fearing.

The lack of interest in the treats (assuming she loves them at home) is stress. So, its an indicator of how stressed she is...so that means too close to something, too long of a session...fear of the place she's at etc.

Edited by Tresa Hendrix (01/11/2012 09:06 PM)
Edit reason: crap, I forgot something else!

What I would do with her Brett, is spend some time working with her where she's comfortable first, in your yard. I'd put a light weight line on her and let her sniff around or whatever, let her attention wander. Then with some excitement, and just slightest little pull on the line, call her to you and reward her like crazy for getting there.

Don't pull her in with the line, you want her to come because she wants to but still be aware of the line. After a little bit of that, take a couple of steps when she gets close to you and then start building on that. You'll show her coming to you is good and the leash is no big deal.

Don't do it out where she's afraid of things right now, its too tough for her to learn anything when she's afraid. When you do take her out places, just plan on hanging out and letting her check things out, let her grow past a lot of this stuff.

I endorse the above post.

So do I.

 Quote: steve strom

What I would do with her Brett, is spend some time working with her where she's comfortable first, in your yard. I'd put a light weight line on her and let her sniff around or whatever, let her attention wander. Then with some excitement, and just slightest little pull on the line, call her to you and reward her like crazy for getting there. Don't pull her in with the line, you want her to come because she wants to but still be aware of the line. After a little bit of that, take a couple of steps when she gets close to you and then start building on that. You'll show her coming to you is good and the leash is no big deal. Don't do it out where she's afraid of things right now, its too tough for her to learn anything when she's afraid. When you do take her out places, just plan on hanging out and letting her check things out, let her grow past a lot of this stuff.

Exactly that. She's going to have to work at her own pace.

Ok guys thank you very much really appreciate the help very helpful she is getting better everyday longer walks less scared. We just got hit with snow about 12-18 inches and we have not walked in a few days except in the backyard, boy does she love the snow I have a hard time getting her in the house and she acts like a little kid. Anyway, I will keep you updated on mine and Bella’s progress.

 Quote: brett zoerb

Ok guys thank you very much really appreciate the help very helpful she is getting better everyday longer walks less scared. We just got hit with snow about 12-18 inches and we have not walked in a few days except in the backyard, boy does she love the snow I have a hard time getting her in the house and she acts like a little kid. Anyway, I will keep you updated on mine and Bella’s progress.

Good progress!

If she loves the snow, try working with that!
try taking her on a little walk outside of the backyard?
if the snow distracts her it might be a good time to get in some leash walking.