[Lou]

I never thought I would have to post a training problem but Gracie has me buffalo'd. You might remember that she is my 5-year-old rescue that we got just about a year ago.

I have tried every method I can think of to teach her to sit and every attempt ends with her running away from me. She acts as if she is afraid of me.

I know she doesn't trust me very much because I am the nasty person that cleans her eyes and she HATES having her face touched. She doesn't nestle down when I hold her either. Not like she does with my dh. I know I am the villain that picks her up for training, baths and eye swabs. when I am seated on the couch (and Daddy isn't around) she is quite comfortable coming to sit in my lap or lay on my side. She enjoys my petting her at that time but let me act like I am going to do anything else she is off like she's shot out of a cannon. Gracie has also been really slow learning to play. Whenever she has pounced on a toy and we have tried to interact with her she stops playing and never picks up that particular toy again. Sounds like an abused dog doesn't it. She was used as a breeding dog and her breeder kept her dogs in the house with her so abuse could very well be an issue.

Anyway, does anyone have any gentle techniques for overly sensitive canines?