Highly strung!!

[JoanneM]

We have just been to a local doggy fun day with Murphy and his behaviour has upset me.  He has always been quite a nervous dog but today he was like a wreck.  He barked constantly as soon as we got there, so stupid me went and picked him up (to keep him quiet) thing is once I'd put him down again he'd start barking again. People were looking and I was embarrassed so we left. 

It was probably the amount of other dogs there that started him off, but he is a well socialised dog and we go to a busy park everyday where he plays with other dogs and meets people.  I just feel stupid for pandering to him and picking him up, and I don't want people thinking I am a bad owner.  We have done a lot of work with him since we've had him, its finally been a long slog but he's finally overcome his fears about being left in the kitchen (he actually happily dives in his bed on command now when we're going out), but there is obviously still some problems we need to address. 

Any advice will be appreciated.

[Cob-Web]

Aw Joanne - try not to worry 

We had a very similar experience last weekend when we took Molo and Bonnee to a fun show - they barked and barked for the first half hour; one would set the other off and everyone was looking (and a few tutt'ing  )

I walked both of them away to another part of the park, and calmed them down by doing some basic obedience with them. I then slowly began to move closer to the other dogs/people - in their time, so that I didn't stress them out by getting too close too soon.  Eventually, we managed to sit near the ring, but not right next to other people or dogs, and I distracted them if a dog walked close by 

Molo is worse than Bonnee in these situations - we took Bonnee to a show on her own yesterday and she was totally calm even though we were sitting with other dogs and people, but Molo finds the experience a bit more stressful - so we didn't take him   We will keep at it; taking him to quieter events and giving him space and time....hopefully, he will become more adapted - but if not, then I would rather leave him behind than stress him out   

Take no notice o what other people might think - you know you are not a bad owner and are doing the best you can for Murphy - you can only train him if you take him along to experiences like this, so try to ignore anyone who judges you 

[Mari]

Don't feel bad. You're not alone. My dog barked like crazy when I took her to the doggie park in the beginning. It was embarrassing, but if the people around you know anything about dogs they will forgive you I guess you allready know you should never pick the dog up, you're just teaching him that it really is something to be afraid of. And of course there isn't

I had to take tiny steps with my nervous little girl. We sat down at a safe distance from the other dogs. Every time she looked at the other dogs without growling she got a treat and some praise. We moved a little bit closer every day. Sometimes we had to take a step back, but all in all she became safer
If you know someone who has a dog who is good with other dogs, bring that dog along so your dog can see how comfortable that dog is with the situation.
We kept our distance for the first week, playing on our own. After that we could walk into the midst of 20 strange dogs without a problem.
I made sure to never pick her up or comfort her. If she did get scared, I let her hide between my legs, but I did not reach down or comfort her. She needed to learn that she could manage fine without my help. If she got overwhelmed and started barking. I put the lead on and guided her away without a fuss. But I never went straight home, I let her off the lead when she calmed down. That way we would always come home with happy thoughts about the dog park

If you are familiar with the calming signals, use them! You may look like an idiot, but it is really effective!
And remember to stay calm and confident even if you don't feel that way. The dog pics up on your mood and will reflect it.

Maybe this is old news to you, but I have struggled a lot to learn how to make my nervous dog confident so I figured I'd write my own experiences in case they were helpful. I would also recommend the books "Help for your fearful dog" by Nicole Wilde and the calming signals book by Turid Rugaas if you have not read them. They helped me so much with my little girl!

[JoanneM]

Thanks your comments really do help.  I suppose it was too much for him but we gave up too easily.  We tend to normally take him to places where he's used to going and I have noticed a big change in him in the last 6 months where he has a lot more confidence while he's out, I guess it upset me to see him so worked up today. 

[Boof]

I agree, try not to worry. Next time you'll know how to help him so hopefully it will make for a better experience. 

[Mari]

Sometimes when we have a setback like that, I feel like such a failure. And I get scared that my dog might be like that forever.
But then I remember what she was like six months ago or ten months ago. And I know I'm doing something right.
You say you have seen a big change the last six months, so you're probably doing all the right things for him 

[Brimbeck(Dyllan)]

My Dyllan barks in such situtation - we are working on it slowly.
I explain to people very near me that he is just gbby and not harmful. Other people I just ignore if they give me funny looks.
After all it's the quiet ones that are the worse