Scared of bigger dogs
 

Lottie is 9 months old and despite meeting lots and lots of dogs she is terrified of bigger dogs . She used to bark at them as a tiny puppy but with lots of treats whenever they approached she no longer barks.
The problem occurs when she is off the lead and a dog come over to sniff and play , Lottie will yelp and bolt with her tail between her legs . It is coming to a stage where I don't want to let her off as i'm terrified of losing her but she loves running and playing with her ball .
Anyone got any ideas how I can boast her confidence ?

Scared of big dogs
 

I think small dogs are scared of big ones when they lunge forward in play. My dog does not like that either.
You suggest that she is ok when on the lead, so perhaps she feels safer knowing you are in control of her. Perhaps if there are larger dogs around you could keep her on the lead and take her slowly to the larger dog until she gets scared, and then lead her away to safety. ( in her mind!). If you cannot get her over the big dog thing, she may just not like them!! In that case you might only be able to let her lead free in a safer place, free of big dogs.
I keep my Yorkie on a lead always when outside as I never know how other dogs may behave with him. In enclosed dog parks here, where dogs can be lead free, they usually separate big from small dogs. I do not like dog parks as I am scared my dog may pick up diseases or fleas!! But that is just my choice.

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I am a control freak!! I NEVER allow my babies to be where they are in a situation where I have NO control! I would never allow my babies to run free with other dogs in a dog park....(in addition to fights, diseases, fleas and ticks and worms and God only knows what else, possible open gates for escape, etc)....if I had a 50 lb dog, it would be different, but Yorkies are only that big in their own minds.....and they will take on ANY dog, any size, with possibly horrific, tragic results. I dont even allow my OWN dogs to mingle if I know there is a trouble maker in the group.... A run in the park, free, is just no way worth that, in my mind! I do not trust other dogs to be as kind and loving and tolerant of my babies as I am! Besides, I know ME very well....I would spend every minute of any life I have remaining in me, blaming myself and tormenting myself for allowing my little trusting baby, that depends on ME to make the right decisions for her safety and well being, to "run free and play with the wind in her hair", and get torn apart by another dog. Aint something I want to live with on my conscience!

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Unfortunately she is no better on the lead . My experience was terrible two days ago when she was on a lead and a big dog run up to her to sniff . She panicked and tried to bolt but couldn't and ended up crying while flying in the air as I tried to reel her in to pick her up :( she was tearing in a circle so fast I just couldn't get to her to calm her down
We have only a little green in my local park and all owners I know treat their dogs monthly like I do for fleas as a preventive.
She isn't tiny small - she is 8 pounds but we hardly see many dogs smaller . She loves the little pug and shizt tu that plays on the green
It's sounding like she will never feel safe with big dogs so her time on the lead must come to an end and I will have to pick her up whenever I see a big dog approach

Big dog
 

Hello.
Sorry, but I read your first post wrongly as your dog only had issues off lead.
She is still young and a big dog probably looks very scary to an 8 pounder:)
As I said before, it could be that she just can't deal with big dogs and has to be kept away from them.
My previous dog, only five pounds, hated ALL oher dogs and I just had to steer clear to prevent a war, LOL! They all have their issues!
As for fleas etc, it is good that most dogs you meet are treated monthly, and we all take risks when walking our dogs in public parks and places. I don't know if you have them, but we have closed areas specially for dogs only and we call them specifically DOG parks where the dogs are usually off lead and able to play unrestrained.
These are not very big and can get very dirty if not well maintained, and if owners do not pick up after their dogs. That is why some people don't risk taking their dogs there. General use parks tend to be larger, but still can have risks, but we take them or the dogs would never get to walk!
I am sorry you had this scary experience recently so that you had to pick up your baby, but I guess you just have to give the biggies a wide berth.
Hope she gets better as she gets older and is not so scared, and that she has enough smaller dogs to play with.

Thank you for your help . I was hoping it was something we could overcome :( but maybe as she gets older she may improve
We don't have any parks here (in the uk ) for dogs
Lots of lovely country though :)
I love my baby so much, I just want her to be happy and secure