Clover has always been barky to say the least. She is scared of kids and will go and bark at them if off the lead. I've got round this by just not letting her off the lead around kids now.

However lately she has started barking at other people. Take yesterday afternoon for example. Had a lovely walk, but then this lady came out of no where with a hood up. Clover went ballastic Really barking at her. She wouldn't come back. It was awful

Then this morning she went to start barking at someone we know. She did shut up and come back to me when she realized who it was.

Yes I could keep her on the lead at all times, but she doesn't do it all the time, and it seems a shame. I've had a behavoural person in who doesn't know what to suggest. And I can't afford it now anyhow. She is on kalm aid tablets to help with her nervousness. It is fear based I think, She is such a nervous little dog. She is also a lovely natured dog, and this is spoiling it. I'm at my wits end now

Maybe its time to join a local dog walking group where she will be on a lead but surrounded by total strangers and other dogs and perhaps children but in a controlled environment. One of the dog training schools locally have started this for precisely this reason. A lot of dogs have this fear around other people/children/places/dogs and so many of them have commented that it has really helped the confidence of their dogs in a relatively short space of time. Hope this idea helps. I think its worth a go and wont cost you anything.

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mel

It could be that she's picking up on your sad mood and is protecting you.

My dog used to do that, he became more protective when I was depressed. He even protected me when my exh went for me.

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MY FAMILY

Caramel (ginger girl) Harry (oldest son) Nick (Youngest son)

Thanks but she has alwys done it, and I'm feeling so much better now

id seriously reccomend leslie mc devitts control unleashed book . the whole program is designed for reactive dogs and those that suffer distractions . i have a barky little dog , hes not barky at people but dogs when hes on lead . now 90% or more of the time we can walk past someone with no barking and often only minimal barking . before we started he would make a complete show of himself and i hated taking him for walks because it was so embarrasing . im now at the point where i can walk him through the town center and if he barks its just one or two . we still have a way to go before he is perfect but the progress is really pleasing . the book was definatly money well spent in my opinion.

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Does she work for food or a toy when out? Could you associate strangers with yummy things or a game? Maybe start on a short lead and feed her as you pass a stranger or child? I did it for people approaching us on their own - Kilo was fine with groups and fine with a person with a dog, but sometimes used to react to single people who were going to pass us closely.

Once she is better on a short lead could you then maybe progress to letting her have the length of her flexi, then recalling and feeding / playing when she spots someone and eventually try again off lead?

I know you said she doesn't bark on lead, but you could put the work in making people a positive thing on a lead - think you did a thread on the LAT game if I recall correctly; has that helped at all (helped me immensely)?

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I have had some similar problems and I found Control Unleashed (the book) really helpful, and using some Kikopup clicker training videos on Youtube at the moment too, and the Look at That game. It's working (lots of time and TONS of treats later) but it's not easy.

When you feel up to it, it might be worth considering joining a helpful and well organised training class - there are lots of members in your area who might be able to help choose one. I find going to the classes really helpful.

You'll get there in the end...
Naomi x

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I was away to suggest something along the same lines . Mia is the same as Kilo was, she doesn't like strangers (without dogs) approaching us directly. She is also wary of children because they can be excitable and make funny noises and movements. Mia is fortunately also very food orientated so I have been working on this by getting her to focus on me as we walk close to strangers/children and rewarding her with her favourite food when she ignores them. I have also been getting visitors to the house and delivery people to join in! Mia is very wary of strangers coming to the door so I put her into a sit in the hallway and don't let her approach until she calms down. Once she is calm I get the stranger at the door to reward her with cheese!

Is Clover food orientated at all? Is she just like this when she is outside or does she do it to visitors at the door too? Do you have any acquaintances that Clover hasn't met that would be happy to get involved?

She isn't into food really.. not enough to keep her attention anyhow. The same with toys, the only thing that might keep her attention is a stick, but then she barks to have it. Will try all the suggestions though, something has to work . thanks everyone

You could also try a thundershirt. Lots of dogs find them calming.