[yorkietalkjilly]

Patience. This type of fear isn't easy to fix as she's not food-oriented when scared so working to find what will get her attention fixed on something else in a non-food oriented dog is one of the hardest to get started rehabilitating from their fears. And likely you are more than a little stressed by the walk, her fear reaction and fear of another attack on her yourself. Normal reaction but unhelpful at this stage.

Both of you should be as relaxed and calm as possible before you try to walk her outside. A good run around the house, up and down stairs or doggie steps or backyard to work out her anxieties, frustrations, distract and tire her often helps relax anxious dogs.

And psyche yourself into a confident state with macho, military-type self-talk or whatever it takes to make you feel completely self-assured with your abilities and in control of any situation. I swear this really works - positive self talk. Your dog can read your emotions before you even feel them so she'll know if you are worried about the advancing dog or how she will react so every time she sees a dog approaching, so truly control your mind, think relaxed, confident, in control woman of purpose - out to fix things for her baby and not about to take any guff from any other old dog!!! Or however you need to boost your self into a positive, assertive winner. Your dog will begin to feel that you are her bold and confident leader and relax, knowing you will always protect her. And she'll feel less nervous.

And you can learn to read the body language of approaching dogs by Googling 'dog body language' and study how to spot the attitude of the approaching dog and come to easily recognize dogs you should stay very clear of. Any dog that begins to alert to and fixate on your dog, body stiffening, ears and tail erect, perhaps slowly wagging, perhaps still, eyes wide, round and intense, be aware. But some dogs will be just bouncy, rambunctious and eager to get to know your dog while most others will barely notice her, depending on the type of owners who live in your neighborhood.

But your baby has some currency, something she values or is highly interested in that you should be able to pinpoint and use to distract her when another dog approaches during her early rehab. Otherwise, trying to keep her on the other side of the street as you involve her in some type of ultra-fast-paced activity that will intensely involve her while over time gradually teaching her that dogs passing aren't all about to try to get her even as she's busy involved in whatever activity you've devised. And she'll begin to associate their nearness with that great activity or thing she so enjoys and fear begins to dissipate.