Me two years old rescue dog is scared during walks. I have had her for 4 days now. I take her on 4 walks every day, at roughly the same time. Same route every time I give her treats during the walk and talk to her and give her pets. I also keep her on a short leash. The walks are about 10 minutes tops.
Noises make her nervous but she’s really spooked by strange dogs. I will pick her up and carry her to safety and continue our walk. I try to finish the walks because I hope the successful walks will help grow her confidence. When she’s too scared she can’t go to the toilet and sometimes she keeps it up for over 24 hours and does in the house. She looks miserable and guilty whenever she does
When she does I immediately say “no” and pick her up and take her outside and continue her business, which she does and I praise her heavily for it. I never punish her. She’s comfy and happy inside the house.
She grows more confident after going potty or having a good walk, but every time something goes wrong (seeing a scary dog) she seems to regress. Patience is not the issue here, but I really want to know if I’m on the right path. I don’t have a yard I can take her in. What if she grows more miserable with me, I don’t want to rehome her but I don’t want to make her unhappy either. I’m terrified of accidentally traumatizing her, honestly literally crying as I’m writing this.
I love her so much already. Sorry for blabbering on here I just don’t know what to do.
Advice is much appreciated.
submitted by /u/Vanillacokestudio
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