dog obedience

Question
I bought a two year old golden reteiver from a kennel and she is very shy and nervous.  I am afraid to take her off the leash as when she doesn't come when I call her I am setting her up for failure (to ignore me) sometimes she comes sometimes she doesn't.  I have had her a month.  How much longer will I  have to keep her on leash until she will come to me.  She also has peed in the house twice and had a huge mess also and now has diarreah.  I couldn't get her to pee when we went for a walk and I don't trust her in the house so am keeping her tied outside. I have taken her to obedience class and use treats as a reward when she pees and comes to me. I really feel like I made a big mistake getting this dog.  she is so much work and trouble.  She gets me up for a walk at 6:00am and then doesn't do her business.  I am tired and frustrated. help!

Answer
Hi Kathy'
Raising a dog is just like raising a child, and almost as much work.
First, I NEVER give treats as a reward.
I use only praise as a reward.
I don't know whay so many trainers are now using treats as a reward.
I am shopcked to see them do it at some dog shows.
It was always taboo, and way back when I was showing dogs. it disqualified you if you offered a treat.
It is like offering a child a cookie to sit on the potty. they will run to the potty every 10 minutes and yell for a cookie.
Rewards should be given fordoing a kob right, and just like it is true with people, giving praise for a job well done, and recognition if the best motivation.
For the shy and nervous, I use animal massage.
Dogs and other animals can have fears and anxieties just like humans can. amd the Tellington-Touch method of animal massage will help more than anything I have used to correct fears, aggressions ( which is usually another way of expressing fear), as well as arthritis, and hip dysplasia, which larger dogs especially are subject to as they get older.
To read about the massages, and learn to give them properly to get the desired results, go to
   www.lindatellington-jones.com

You may need to re-evaluate whay you want a dog.
It may be that you would better like another pet, like a cat.
Or you just may not be a pet person.
Some of us are and some are not.
If I can help further, feel free to write anytime.
Charlotte