KimStewart

Thanks very much for your help. Let's see how we get on with your suggestions!

Thanks for the reply. I definitely try all the above but I would struggle to not take her walks whilst we are doing the first steps of counter conditioning. She's very energetic and always wants to be on the go! Can I ask for your views on antidepressants? Would it help with the counter conditioning? Thanks again

Hi, I have a border collie (Isla). She is almost a year and a half. She is often 'on edge' or seems to be quite aroused when out of the home. The biggest concern is children. I take responisbility for this issue, when she was a puppy I was ignorant of how intimidating kids could be to a puppy, even when they are being gentle. I used to let children come up to her and stroke her. Now we have an unpredictable problem. Sometimes she will see a child from a distance and be ok. At other times, she can see them from a distace and she begins growling. But when she sees them running, she always starts growling, barking and lunging. I'm terrified that one may pop up from nowhere at some point and Isla will end up biting. She hasn't bitten anyone so far, however when she has been off the lead in a field and a child appeared, she has ran up to them and barked at them. I have had a dog behaviourist to out to us and he recommended giving her treats when he sees a child. However I'm finding this really difficult because of course you never know when one will appear and what they might do i.e. laugh, scream, run around. Please could anyone offer any suggestions? I have a muzzle and have done some muzzle training but she hates it and tries to get it off to the point where it rubs along her snout, making is sore. Feeling quite hopeless at the minute. Thanks very much in advance.