[Bremner53]

Well... I think you need to take care of yourself. You need to get to the point where you are not constantly stressing out. I don't know how to get there with out rehoming Nala and Koa, but I really hope there is a way. For Nala, I don't know what you can do, other then what all other pp's have suggested, if you don't think you can handle it, then try and find a home for her. Soon, before she gets worse, its a tough decision, but its one that needs to be made. As for Koa, he has grown up a whole bunch, but thats why training as a puppy is so important. I've seen a small lady handle a friggin monster dog, and she don't back down (Lisa/Rosco). Its to late to even bother bringing that up. But I really hope you can figure out something. Its not fair to you, the dogs, or your son for you to be stressed.

 

[Bremner53]

If you're saying I only need 15 min/day to cure Nala's WEAK NERVES, Hallelujah! I am ALL EARS. I would love to fix her that easily, and if you think it can be done with such little effort,

You will not be able to fix her weak nerves, EVER! It just won't happen. She will always be an unstable dog. You can train her to hide it a little bit, which will only take a few minutes a day. Dogs are smart, and have short attention spans, you dont' need an hour a day to work with them.[/quote]

 

[Bremner53]

Dozer was a fearful dog, as most of you know. So speaking from the little experience I have. The last thing you want to do is go an introduce her to people, and try and get those people to pet her. You will have to understand that you don't have the dog that will wag their people and lick strangers hands when they want to meet. If you go for a walk and try to let people pet her you are only going to stress her out more.

When I was walking with Dozer, my goal was to get him to pay attention to ME when we walked by strangers or scary things. If I had his attention and he was heeling beside me good then he wouldn't react to all the scary stuff. It definately took alot of work, ALOT of "look" work. I did that so much. I would say "Dozer Look" and he looked EVERY time, it doesn't matter when he was paying attention to. I honestly think that was the most important thing I ever taught him.

I don't think taking her out and exposing her is goign to do anymore then scare her at this point. You have to get her to the point where she will heel beside you and you can have her attention when ever you ask, so that when you do take her somewhere to see scary stuff or more people. You can help her, by trying to keep her attention on you.

Having an unstable dog is not easy, but you can do it. I did and didn't mind it at all at the time, now that I have two stable dogs I realize how much easier it is. You will have to be on you toes at all times, looking for things that will scare her and get her attention before they scare her.

 

[Bremner53]

You are not going to make her worse, really how much worse could she get?

I used a clicker teaching Dozer look. I would say "dozer look" and as soon as he made the slighest eye contact with me he I clicked and gave him a treat. I would do this with his whole meal of kibble a day. Do this for 15 minutes a day, just sitting there. Then go do it when she isn't paying attention to you already, then go outside. But take it slow.

Is she food motivated?

 

[Bremner53]

So don't give her the treat until she sits nicely for a few seconds, I know what you mean, it seems like its killing htem just to sit there for one second. But that is another exercise you have to do with her. Teach her patience. Since she is food motivated, that makes your job a million times easier!! Carry your treats around with you, while you are doing laundry or something and get her to look at you at weird times. Do this is only with Nala, have your other two put away when ever you are doing training.