Really Scared Dog Please share suggestions

Oh, I'm glad to hear you're making some progress.[]  That's good news! 
 
(When I was reading your screen name, I was reading it as There's a Mat...but now I see your name is Theresa... boy don't I feel silly.)
 
 

Mattie came to take treats from my hand today. THANKS TO GLENDA'S homeade liver treats. She's still scared but improving. We had been to the vet everyday to get a cookie.
 
I found a certified trainer not to far from home. We are going to take a class geared toward nervous dogs. The lady sounds very nice and we went to tour the place. I think Mattie is going to really to do nicely there.They are even putting in an agility course and will have classes on that. I dont know how well a short legged Scottish Terrier would do. But I think we'll keep going with classes and see how she likes that.
 
Amylu, thats funny Theres a mat! There are so many ways to spell Theresa. I often tell people its spelled like 2 words theres a .....

Oh cool!!  Three cheers for Mattie!!  Sounds like that'll be a good class for her.  And she's taking treats from your hand. Yayyy!   [sm=clapping%20hands%20smiley.gif] 
 
[color=#0099cc]P.S.  You're right, there are a lot of different spellings of...not just Theresa, but every name you can think of.  There's probably half-a-dozen variations of Amy.  [sm=wink3.gif][/color]

Just keep plugging, and don't give up - some dogs take a long time.
But, you are definitely on the right track.  I don't know what trainer you will be using, but she sounds progressive if she has a "shy dog class", so that's encouraging.  And, if my friend's Shih Tzu can do agility, I think a Scottie can.  Also, agility is a great confidence building activity!

Just wanted to brag on Matties progress. We have started the class for shy dogs and she is doing great. I think she is still just a little scared if she thinks I am going to pick her up. But she is really improving. And she does come running to me again when I call her.
And not only will she take treats from hand now. But since I have made Anne's salmon treats she watches my hands with anticipation and is back to following me around the house. I have almost tripped over her a couple of times.
This has been a hard thing to go through, having her scared of me. Thanks to everyone who gave me suggestions and encouragment. Things are coming along really well for us.

That's really great - and I'm glad she likes the salmon treats!!!

I am so glad things have gotten better with Mattie, I cant imagine how hard it must have been for you.  I hope it keeps improving and she eventually forgets all about it (as much as possible).
 
I have always thought your name was 'theres a mat' until I read what Amy wrote - LOL.  Duh....  I started cracking up once I realized it was theresa and there was even someone else who thought what I thought.  Should have read this post sooner []
 
 

Thanks for providing your experience.

Shadow can still be very shy and skiddish. Sometimes, he's okay in social situations, sometimes not.

He won't let me clip his nails. I have done it once before after having him sedated. I have been working desensitization. I handle his paws every chance I get without wearing out my welcome, and it is accompanied by praise and sometimes, treats. He loves to be groomed otherwise and will demand it. We brush and comb him nearly every day. Recently, he's been chewing his nails and got his left front paw down to a respectable length. I know one other person who's dog chews their nails and keeps them down that way. Part of that his part of one of his breeds. Huskies self-groom.

Still, I work with him on overcoming shyness. Some days we take two steps forward and other days we take a step back. Sometimes, it's my fault. Today, we went to Petco and their parking lot for our walk. I was going to walk him this morning but, evidently in our town, today is the day for loose dogs to roam as they please. So we went to Petco first, which is out of routine. He was trying to poop in some tall monkey grass and ended up with a cling-on, which drove him crazy. And since he wasn't wound down from the normal walk, he was anxious in the store and around others. I was just wanting him to walk without having to fend off loose dogs. I want at least some of his walks to be without confrontation. The mean part of me wants to pose as an ACO and pick these dogs up and take them to the shelter or to a rescue group.

One old lady here in town couldn't take a walk without being pestered by loose dogs. She used her walking stick a few times and the dogs left her alone, when they should have been under the control of their families.