Hi Claire.   The main problem that Zoe seems to have is that, as a puppy, and I am talking about the first 8 weeks of her life (the most crucial part of a dogs life), her eyes had not been 'opened' to the familiarity of sights and sounds around her. Either she was locked away with her mother as a pup or else she had a massive fright that is deeply ingrained in her psyche. The barking is just to warn people or objects that she is frightened, and to come any closer would cause her (and you grief). She therefore needs to be socialised.

The first step is to stop her barking, then you will be able to walk with her in public without that fear hanging over you. Buy a water pistol. Then, in the safety of your own home, put Zoe on the lead and walk her up to things that she will normally bark at (but nothing outrageously frightening to her). This may have to be stage-managed by bringing things into her path. As soon as she barks squirt some water in her face, and shout QUIET, nothing else. And then, walk on. Bring her back in a circle to the same thing and do the same, until she recognises she cannot bark. This may take 1-2 weeks. You may have to go outside too, but, eventually, she will understand that she barks at her peril. Later it will be just your voice telling her to be quiet or the sight of the pistol.

Once you can take her out and be confident she will not bark, then it is a matter of getting her out and about to get familiar with everything she did not see as a pup. But take it easy. Walk the outskirts of a city and build it up until you can sit her down in a pub. (She may always sit underneath your seat but she will at least have the confidence to face these situations). She needs to be immersed in sights and sounds, so that she sees them everyday. Walk her along the same route, seeing the same things until she no longer fears that walk. If she pulls away from a particular statue for instance, bring her to that statue every day, going a little closer, until she no longer fears it. See how you get on Claire, but remember she is lacking in confidence, and she covers it up with barking. The only way to build up that confidence is to get her out and about. I hope this helps, and please keep me posted as to how you get on.

I hope this answers your question fully.

Yours faithfully,  Paul,  Altiquin Dogs  @  Tel+Fax:  (from USA: 011) +353 71 964 8355

altiquin@labradors.com