Adopted abused border collie

Question
My family recently adopted a PRECIOUS border collie. She had been trained and finished by a professional. After training, the owner took her back to the trainer and dropped her off. She was timid, extrememly thin and had cuts on her.

"Mollie" has been with us for three weeks, and has started waggin her tail at us when we get home. She has started barking in the last week. She will not come when called at all. She will run around and has started wagging her tail when you approach. She will sit and stay some when you are trying to approach, until you get close, she then runs- tucking her tail.

I like to walk with her, so after 15-20 minutes of "catching her" (not chasing- begging really). She will walk fine on the leash.

Last night, we walked around the neighborhod. She is skiddish about cars and other people walking, so when others approach, I have her sit, wait for them to pass and then I praise her. It works. I bent over to pick up a paper in my driveway. SHE FREAKED OUT and got out of her collar. I thought she would never let us get her back.

How do I teach her to come to me and my other family members without being so afraid. She does not like any treat I have tried. She does like cheese (yes, I know), but she won't even come to anyone with that treat.

She acts the same way in the house when going into other rooms through doorways...waggin her tail, "smiling", but will not let you approach.

Suggestions?

Answer
Hi Susan,

It could take a lot of time for Molly to develop confidence with you, and if your goal were to have her in public a lot, she could be the wrong dog for that lifestyle. I expect that she will get used to you and make a good pet in the home. How much beyond that, it's hard to say.

You need to build up to walking Molly in public areas where there are other people, cars, or other things which traumatize her. You can't rush "desensitizing" a fearful dog. The following web sites have useful information in the training of fearful dogs, but you may want to consider working with a professional dog trainer, as training these kind of dogs isn't simple, and time consuming.

http://www.hsus.org/pets/pet_care/our_pets_for_life_program/dog_behavior_tip_she...

http://www.sccpets.com/PFL/CalmingTheFearfulDog.pdf

ttp://www.newhopecattledogs.com/forms/BEHAVIOR%20MODIFICATION-REDUCING%20FEAR.pdf

Best of luck,

Patti