My Sheltie puppy

Question
I have a Sheltie puppy five months old. She is a wonderful calm girl exceptwhen I try to walk her where there is traffic. She is petrified of moving cars and trucks. I have tried making her sit by my side to show her they won't hurt her but she pulls so hard on her leash I'm afraid she will choke herself. Otherwise she is very bright and has good manners. If you can help me I would greatly appreciate it

Answer
While trying to help a dog overcome fear of some object, an owner will often pet the dog and speak softly to it, even offer it a treat.  What you're actually doing is rewarding the fear and training the dog's reaction to it.

Five months of age is a neonate, this dog is a baby.  Furthermore, she is just emerging from a strong biological fear phase.  Forcing her close to the objects of her fear in order to accustom her to them will make things much worse.  First, put her on a body harness (not lead her by the collar) as her pulling to get away IS choking her and making her fear much worse.  Second, try to avoid heavily trafficked areas when at all possible.  Third, if you are walking with her and a car is passing, go calmly and slowly in the opposite direction, while observing the dog very closely.  When you see her fear is gone (watch her ear set, her tail set, her hackles), stop walking and pop a  treat into her mouth; then resume as normal.  Each time a vehicle approaches and she reacts fearfully, calmly and slowly move away from it and repeat the above.  Do not make a big deal out of this; do not put your hands on the dog; do not make eye contact or say her name; simply walk calmly,,and slowly,,away and then reward her non-fear state.  Within the next two months you should see her fear response begin to decrease significantly.  If this does not happen for some reason or things get worse, please repost.