Dog Health Questions: How can I help my dog be comfortable around other dogs?

I have to explain a little bit first. My 3 yr old cocker spaniel Daisy used to be a I love people and dogs kid of dog. We took her to dog training classes at petsmart and later took her every time we took our new dog to his puppy classes there too. She was a very well balanced dog minus the happy cocker spaniel peeing when new people greet her. She was just fine with dogs until our neighbor in a townhouse moved in with a Great Dane. We had a 6' privacy fence between backyards, but the dog could still look over it when he stood up on it. The great dane would often attack the fence when Daisy was out. I made it a point never to leave her out longer than it took to use the bathroom. We've moved from there but she not has a problem with other dogs.

When any new dog (not ones she already knows) comes into our yard she goes crazy acting like she's being attacked or just got hit from a car. But at the same time she's not running away she's running after the dog. It's not a aggressive bark, but a almost cry like she's hurt. I can't even take her to petsmart anymore because she's too nervous. What can I do?

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I'd contact a trainer to get some specific tips for your situation. If your dog is 3, this has gone past just some shyness and become a habit. That is going to take more work to change. There are a lot of ways to socialize, but unless you have spoken with a trainer to identify what is going on for your dog, it's kind of trial and error with different techniques.

You could also try taking a class with your dog. If there is anxiety behind it, giving your dog a clear message that YOU are dominant also gives her the message that she's safe. In a class she can learn to focus on you & your commands, even with other dogs present, which should show some improvement in the anxiety. There are a big variety of classes, so it doesn't need to be general obedience, it can be a more fun class if you want.

One more thing I'd suggest is not bring your dog to the house. If your dog is anxious about other dogs, having one come into her house might overwhelm her & turn on her protective response even more. And then it's going to be hard to get her to listen or to calm down. Can you meet at a neutral place, maybe go on a walk together or go sit ona park bench and talk or something? Hope this helps Veronica and Daisy

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• Get another dog, or bring your friends dogs over.. they have to be friendly nice dogs and show her that dogs are okay and they wont hurt her.
  when shes around them long enough then she will get used to them :D