Zach has been attacked a few times by other larger dogs over the past few months and his confidence has plummeted to an all-time low.

He now actively checks out the park first and if there's a big (or even biggish) dog about he'll go nowhere near it. He won't even follow me if there's a big dog near by.

His fear pours from him when other dogs check him out and they're starting to prey on him with that victim factor.

What can I do?

Awwww- poor Zach.

I've just had the strangest thing happen. Just as I was thinking 'what Karis needs to do is to PM Olliekitten and to get Petie Puddle round to meet up for a little simper with Zach', someone knocked at my door and it was Olliekitten!

Petie Puddle is a really sweet, inoffensive and friendly shihtzu boy whose first action on meeting another dog is to throw himself on the floor and offer up his tummy in total submission. I think he'd do Zach a power of good.

keep taking him to he park, but don't let your fears show as he will pick up on them , if you see someone with a friendly big dog , ask if zack can say hello and encourage him. Zack has been fine with Pip my bosses dog though but they know each other, so keep encouraging him and he will be fine.

He's fine with dogs he knows, although when you were away (Teeny) he was terrified of being left alone with Pip that first time.

But I'm not showing him any fear in myself. Will just keep trying to find friendly dogs and maybe this will just be a phase.

Anyone got any friendly dogs they want to play with Zach?

Takara will quite happily meet up with Zach (outdoors - not in the shop ;) ) she is just as much of a wuss (only she doesn't just avoid them, she used to run back to the car if she sees a big scary looking dog).

There are some great ways of building confidence and I've seen improvements in the scaredy spotty dog since working with her using these methods so if you want some advice on that, you know where I am.

Plus - I have a class starting on Friday if you would like to bring him to class - it's a large hall and he can easily be kept separate from large scary dogs. We have a baby rottweiler attending so he can get used to her as she grows!

But seriously, if you want some help you know where I am.

Hi Stuart, I've got Charlie(now called Marley) that came to see you and Zach.He's much smaller than Zach , as he's only 15 weeks old, but he's scared of nothing as he's been well socialised. His best friend is Lennox, the dogue de bordeaux, and they look so funny walking side by side.As Tina says, take him in the park, let him mix with other dogs including big friendly ones, and try not to worry as he will pick up on your fears.

Hi Stuart, I've got Charlie(now called Marley) that came to see you and Zach.He's much smaller than Zach , as he's only 15 weeks old, but he's scared of nothing as he's been well socialised. His best friend is Lennox, the dogue de bordeaux, and they look so funny walking side by side.As Tina says, take him in the park, let him mix with other dogs including big friendly ones, and try not to worry as he will pick up on your fears.

Oh Helen, so glad you ended up with him - he's such a little cutie and fits in so well with your pack and your right - they do look funny when out walking :hihi:!

Hey Helen, Zach was amazingly well socialised 'till about a month ago.

But he did better today. Quite a few medium sized dogs and he seemed to regain a bit of his confidence.

Maybe it's just a matter of time.

We'll have to go walking again soon!

hi Karis i have a beautiful medium to large sized lad who would also be pleased to help if you need any 1-1 time with a larger dog. Albert will happily walk along just ignoring your lad

Thanks. If you're in Woodseats or the surrounding areas, I'd definitely take you up on it!

It's SO frustrating because he was doing really well yesterday, and one dog bounced up to him today and he ran off squealing and we're worse than ever now.

So, do let me know :)

Well we are in Woodhouse so you are more than welcome to meet us over this way or we can catch the bus somewhere and meet up.

I have 2 lovely calm dogs Albert is a beardie lurcher X but is not remotely interested in others after he has said hello and he will just ignore altogether if i tell him to. This is great for nervous dogs as he just walks along not bothering which helps them just settle down. Tilly is the same but much smaller and she is very gentle. Neither are bothered about playing 10yrs and 16yrs so they are very useful when working with nervous dogs. They also have fairly good dog language so give off all the right signals.

Let me know chuck and we can sort something out :D

Adz I really need to organise meeting up with you - we were going to do it ages ago.

I reckon Albert will be great for T as well as she's even got nervous with lurchers now - they used to be her all time favourite dog!

Lottie we must we must we must :D tis good for him to :)

Lets arrange it. Also i have found somewhere over here where there is a really wide tarmac path but with grassy areas either side. Tis great as the path is not muddy, bumpy or anything and the dogs can still go off lead noseying or you can walk 2/3 people abreast with the dogs on lead and still be on the path :)

Let me know what you want to do chick :thumbsup:

Hey Lotti, stop taking over my thread :P

Adz's dogs are MY dogs now! (mwa haa haa)

Karis, I am more than happy to bring Petie over to play with Zach if you would like?

Hehe i like this being in demand and popular carry on fighting over me tis good for our ego!!

Hey Karis, Your inbox is full :)

Karis your inbox is full