[Terrified greyt girlie]

Thank you very much for your advice.

I have never heard of spook harnesses as our old boys were so laud back nothing fazed them.  I've looked them up and as far as I can see there are 2 types - one with two bands and one with three and a grab handle.  I assume the three bands plus grab handle will be the best for me (being little and of a certain age) but was wondering what you thought.

When she is stressed food is a definite no no so I don't think that will work at the moment.  I do talk to her all the time but without having much effect at present.  Maybe in the future.

I hadn't really thought about her not experiencing the outside world very much.  She was fostered by a family for a few months but they returned her to the charity saying that they couldn't cope with her wanting to be up all night.  I assumed, obviously wrongly, that she would be fairly acclimatised to things outside.  She does go to bed at a reasonable hour now and will sleep through so progress is being made there.

We are giving her a specially prepared flower remedy.  It's got about half a dozen different 'flavours' in it including the rescue remedy and I have quite high hopes of it making a difference.

Thank you again.  I feel that we are doing some things right and you have boosted my confidence in this respect.

Riggles

[Terrified greyt girlie]

We have been fostering a lovely greyt girl for the past 3 months but how do I get her to stop being terrified when I try to take her for a walk.  She shakes when the harness goes on and when she has been (literally) dragged out if a door bangs or someone approaches she jumps about two feet in the air twisting as she goes.  I find it very difficult to hold her as if I don't hold on to the harness she manages to slip it and if I do hang on to it my wrist gets twisted. 

We have had many dogs over the years but I have never had one that has been so obviously mistreated.  She is slowly gaining confidence in the house and will now wag her tail a little bit.  I know it will be baby steps but am I am really at a loss as to what to do as I feel she does need walks outside not just in our very small back garden where incidentally she is just as jumpy.

Any suggestions as to what I can try with her would be very much appreciated.

Thank you

Riggles