MaziesMom

Wow, you guys. Thank you all so much for replying. Time4ANap, thank you. I've been reading this forum but just officially joined so I could post...so not quite sure what I'm doing! what is a Quote...is that how I should be replying? Mikalela & Macoduck, I will try all your suggestions. I've trained a lot of dogs--my own and fosters. But Mazie is my 1st greyhound and with the passing of my last terrier mix a year ago she is now my only dog...no other trained dog in the household to help me out! And Greys are different...duh! So although I know dogs can pick up on our emotions and was trying not to let her feel my frustration, I think I'm realizing just how much she takes sensitivity to a whole new level! I'll work on that (on me, that is) and I'll just stand outside in my driveway with her for long periods this weekend. Maybe that's what i did when i first got her when I had no expectations and so wasnt frustrated. I'll also get a harness. And the "quick, quick" idea from the track experience intrigues me. I'll let you know how we do. btw, she LOVES people and rides. So if she sees a person who looks at her in a friendly way 2 houses away, she will go that far, but then wants back home.

Mazie is 5. I've had her 2 yrs. It took her 2 months to go past the end of my driveway, but eventually decided it was safe and has loved her walks in the park areas throughout our neighborhood...until about 2 months ago. She has always been freaked by the spurting noise the sprinklers make when they start up, but would calm down after a few seconds and let me lead her past them. (It's the start up noise, not the water, that scares her. She isn't afraid of the hose when I use it.) However, 2 months ago she was sniffing a bush when a sprinkler went off right in her face! Since then she refuses to go for a walk. I've tried walking in the opposite direction from the park, up past houses with no sprinklers. Sometimes she'll walk a little ways, but then stops, and turns to go home. I've tried coaxing her with treats...it works for a few steps but she's too smart and just freezes! I've tried walking her with her poodle friend who she usually trusts to lead the way, and she'll maybe go a block, but then turns to go home. I've tried driving her to locations in the neighborhood with no sprinklers and she'll walk for maybe 15 minutes but then turns to go back to the car. (About 2 weeks ago she actually walked 2 blocks but I can't get her to do it again.) I swear she can hear sprinklers a mile away! Any ideas? btw, I live in Arizona. Sprinklers year round!