Very anxious

[bluebabygirl124]

Hello i have a chihuahua mixed. She is one year old, finally is potty train!!! yay!  But my dog is very anxious, we can not take her outside without the leash. She is constantly running and pulling and going in circles (doing donuts). When we are outside is like another dog that does not know me. It does not follow or understand even her name. Is just pulling and running and breathing very hard. I dislike her behavior i have to use a lot of force in order to stop her from going away from me. Any suggestions ?

[bluebabygirl124]

Hello how are you ? and you are right, once when outside all the noise, cars etc she gets panic. She is all over and not listen to anything. I will try to enroll her for obedience classes. Thank you for your comments.

[bluebabygirl124]

Ginger thank you so much for your suggestions, I will try to follow. About the leash in the house. As soon as we try to put the leash on her she pees on the carpet or floor. So I have to be very gentle and nice to her most of the time. She follows directions in the house, she is loose, but once when outside, she does not even know my voice or her name. Ahhhh is so frustrating. I will try to do my best. Thank you and have a wonderful day .

[Ghilly]

Ginger, EXCELLENT post!  You must have been typing yours at the same time I was typing mine because had I seen yours before I started, I would have just posted a giant "what SHE said!"  LOL!  

Ghilly

[Ghilly]

You need to sign her up for obedience classes.  These classes are invaluable when it comes to training dogs to walk well on a leash and they are also great for socialization, which is what she needs.  When she is in the house she is within her own little world, but when she goes outside, she is overwhelmed by all the sights and sounds and she panics.  Obedience classes will teach her how to concentrate on YOU and they will also teach her how to listen to you when there are other dogs around her.  From being around the other dogs at school she will learn how to interact with them and how not to be afraid when there are other dogs around.  Usually the classes run for about 6 weeks and cost anywhere from about $40 to $80 for the whole course, depending on where you live.  I see that you live in a very populated area in California so it should be quite easy for you to locate a class.  Something that you can do until you locate a class is to always remain positive with her when you have her outside.  Talk to her in a very happy, "UP" voice, like everything you're doing with her is loads of fun!  Take some small pieces of boiled chicken outside with you to use as a reward and every time she does something good, praise her like she just found a cure for all the world's problems and give her a piece of chicken.  If there is something she is afraid of, introduce her to it slowly, talking to her a calm, happy voice and steadily slipping her pieces of chicken.  After she does something well, tell her what a good girl she is and go on to something else, but keep that boiled chicken coming.  She will learn that whenever she meets up with something that makes her nervous, tell her it's not a problem, talk to her calmly and as long as she is being calm and accepting of it, give her pieces of chicken.  Again, she will associate something that she once was nervous of with getting something good and it will eventually change her attitude about it.  Keep us posted on her progress and find that obedience class as soon as you can!

Ghilly  

[ginger899]

I am not a behaviour expert but I have a lot of experience with dogs. But I hope someone else will comment who may be able to fill in the gaps I leave.

OK if you use "a lot of force in order to stop her going away" from you....that could make her worse. She is feeling no reward at that point for sticking with you! All she will feel is your frustration, your annoyance and "the force". -see what I mean?

She needs to focus, to see you as her starting point.
I would suggest starting inside. Get her to focus on you and come over to you when called or whistled. When she does, get her to sit, then reward her instantly (either affection or a small food treat like a piece of kibble) Do this umpteen times till she knows 100% that focusing on you and doing what you ask her to do will definitely bring reward.

Then leash her -inside the house. When you put the leash on, watch her for calm acceptance. Reward her instantly when you see it. Then  take her for a little walk around the house on the leash. If you see her focus wandering say her name and call her attention, then reward her. Get her to sit when on the leash and when she does, reward her.
Do this umpteen times till she is 100% certain that walking nicely with you on the leash will bring reward.
Slowly start to include the outside world, by introducing the porch, the steps...whatever -same reward technique. Then try the yard, garden...etc.
If you do this all crammed into one session it probably will not work. You will have to do this for a week or more every day at least once a day, preferably more.

The object is that she will happily walk in and out of the house, from home to around the yard or garden with you, nicely and calmly. The reward system will show her that doing it well brings fun. Doing it badly won't.
If she does it badly stop immediately, take her off the leash and ignore her totally. Then try again later.
But never never get annoyed with her and don't scold her. No negative feedback for her. And try not to over-talk to her while you are doing this, or she will get information overload. Only speak to her when she does well, and make it happy, and when she hears your voice she gets the treat.

Gradually extend this technique to the road outside. This may take some time, or she might respond well in only a few days.

She is missing a sense of direction and a focal point. You have to be that for her to get her bearings. Then hopefully she will start to enjoy the outside world.