I just want to help KoKo

Question
Hello,
I have a 13 month old cockapoo named KoKo. I want to give you her background before I get to the problem.  I got KoKo when she was 9 weeks old (she was shipped to us) from the day I got her she was very very skittish, paranoid, fearful and shy...I didn't worry too much because I thought maybe she just needed to be socialized and although difficult I did try socialize her but she just never warmed up to people or objects outside.  So here are the things that make it difficult to walk KoKo...she's afraid of balls, bikes, trash cans, leaves, bags blowing, men, children, trucks, cars, some statues and the list goes on. She shakes and shivers the whole time we're outside, she won't make eye contact, she tries to yank herself off the leash if she sees any of the above items. She yanks so hard she's broken two retractable leashes and one regular lead and she's only 151bs, she's dodged into the street about 4 or 5 times just to get back home.  I do have experience with dogs (I have two others who are fine) so I understand not to push her too hard or do corrections. I've tried giving treats outside but she's not interested (her pupils remain dilated until we get inside). I've tried gentle leads and harnesses and they stop some of the pulling but if anything she's scared of comes near her it doesn't matter.  She's great in the house except for fear aggressive barking and growling at guests and not letting me know she has to go potty (this is because she's scared to go outside)....I originally thought she was abused or maybe the place I got her from was a puppymill but even if that's the case I've got her early enough to reverse that. But now I'm thinking this could be a mental disorder and I've researched mental illnesses in dogs on the net but I don't find anything about what KoKo is expreriencing...this is a very unique situation...I really just want her to be able to walk as I don't have a yard and to see her paranoid looking around and shivering outside just breaks my heart. Sorry for the long email...What do you thing and/or suggest?

Answer
At 9 weeks of age, your dog was in the middle of a strong fear phase (8 to 10 weeks, approximate).  Additionally, genetics is not just the passing on of color, size, etc., but also communicates mind set, fear, and other far more subtle things; also, if your dog came from a puppy mill (which is likely), she was not at all handled or socialized properly as a neonate and her dam (mother) was totally unsocialized to humans and maintained in an extremely inhumane and punishing environment.  This all communicates to the pups.  Fear of men is a huge problem with puppy mill dogs.  Fear of any new environment is a function of the pup not having been tested (by humane and careful introduction) to new things as a neonate.  The first time this pup left its cage was when it was scooped up and shoved into a crate for a terrifying passage via car and plane.  Your dog will never be the confident, friendly animal you envision.

The fear aggression toward guests in your home is a huge problem, since people negotiate this behavior by showing fear (which is normal) or withdraw (which teaches the dog that aggression works.)  Her exaggerated fear of everything on the street makes her an unlikely candidate for city life.  There are remedies for everything you post but this requires an in person evaluation, extensive interview with you, and repeated visits by a credentialed behavior expert (NOT A DOG TRAINER!) to help you desensitize her fear (if it's even possible, and it might not be.)  Contact the veterinary college closest to your home and ask for a Ph.D. or DVM behavior expert who will come to your home.  This might be costly but the dog will fail if you don't do it.  Next time you want to acquire a puppy, find a legitimate breeder using the AKC web site for the breed; ask lots of questions; visit the breeder's home and meet the dam and sire (if possible); look at other dogs in the household and ascertain friendliness, etc., and ask for references from other puppy buyers.