Hi

I'm sure there is a perfectly obvious answer to my problem..

As you are aware Clunie had half her tail amputated when she was just under 6 months old. However this experience was obviously very traumatic for her, as there had been a week of trying to save the tip of the tail, with almost daily visits to the vet.

The result is that she is very wary of stangers (especially females - as it was mainly female vets that we saw). If I hadn't been hoping to show her this may not have been too big a problem. However the only show she has been to, last summer at a local Highland Games, she snarled at the judge, who was female, as soon as she started to touch her.

I had hoped to get her to ringcraft classes but for various reasons have not managed to yet. The really sad thing is that lots of peoople we meet want to make a fuss of her, eg when she had to visit the vet this week, but the first thing she tends to do is to back off and growl. If the person knows dogs, and they don't make any further approach to her, Clunie will go and sniff them then make friends, but in her own time.

I assume that it is just a case that she needs major socialisation and patience? Any ideas please? She is fine with dogs apart from pulling to meet them (still a puppy trait).

The other thing is that for the past 2 weeks she has been suffering from pneumonia which the vet had thought she had contracted by inhaling water into her lungs. It was quite upsetting at our visit to get the results of her X-ray when the vet stated that she had the lungs of a dog 10 years older than her. The good news is that when she was there on Tuesday they thought that her lungs were almost clear again, but she had a slight heart murmur (we suffered from this with Kerry) However fingers crossed she'll get the all clear next week. Poor Clunie is stir crazy as she can only get short lead walks and she now has all this excess energy to burn off!!
Anyway I'll stop bletherring now.

I can only suggest some "staged" introductions whereby the female has some yummy treats etc so that she starts to see females as a positive.

Any opportunity you get (maybe carry a bag of treats around with you). Give one to the person so they can give it to her.

So sorry she is under the weather.

Gosh, poor clunie doesn't have much luck does she? I would still take her to ringcraft
when she is feeling better. Explain to the organisers the situation and I am sure they
will help you overcome Clunies nervousness. MrsMc has a good idea, make sure you have
plenty of treats in your pockets and give them to females to offer to Clunie.

I haven't got any advice to offer really but would like to say that I hope she gets well soon - at least we have the spring to look forward to

Poor Clunie, I hope she recovers quickly. I agree with MrsMc. Not only can they give treats but also get them to go over her so she gets used to that as well. Preferably women who "know" dogs so they won't be nervous but can get out of the way if need be.

Hi vicky, poor clunie, I think that, what the rest of the people have said is correct you should go to ring craft, she will have lots of people and dogs coming and going there so it should be good for her, give her more confidence, and there will be lots of women there aswell... Do you have any snow with you yet?
we have afair bit now here is ghillie enjoying the out doors

Hi Sheona
Looks like Ghillie is enjoying himself in the snow. Small snow showers but no new stuff on the ground. Gave Clunie her first small run today and none lead walk. She loved it!

Poor girlie she is in the wars, I hope she is better soon.

Does she do this if someone else is holding her lead?? or is it only with you?

If she were mine, I would certainly try some Bach flower remedies ,rescue remedy ,is amazing and I use it for me, also Plum is excellent

www.bachfloweressences.co.uk/

A friend of mine has also had huge improvement with a Deerhound that was scared in a hotel she stayed at, this made her too scared to go anywhere after the event

www.nutrecare.co.uk/prod5...sg=&offset=

I also think its worthwhile chatting to local dog clubs to find out if you have a good Canine behaviorist

She will be picking up vibes and scent from you, this can become perpetual and needs the help of a professional to help both of you


let us know how you get along now