When your Sheltie is frightened, what is your approach

I think picking her up is fine, but I think I’d be inclined to try to back away to a distance where she doesn’t seem frightened. Even if it’s 20’ away. She can learn that it’s not so bad and you’ll help her feel safe. Treats always help too!
 
Very very scary Glen that Willow escaped her harness! Quick thinking on your part in remaining calm and asking her to stay, allowing her to be picked up! I get so mad at some ignorant dog owners I encounter on walks!
I agree with Sandy, a training collar (martingale) works better than a harness at preventing an escape (and we all know what escape artists they are!). I've used martingales on all my boys since they were big enough to wear them and they've never gotten out of them (of course I've never been in a situation quite like this before).
 
I gotta stop reading threads in the wee hours of the morning, I think I was responding to another post so excuse it if was confusing.

Tully was the master of slipping her harness, and Deska the master of slipping his martingale. But Tully never slipped a martingale and Deska never slipped a harness. I also walk cats - and they are the masters of slipping out of anything. It's all about how they get traction. I think a Sheltie can get out of a harness because of the extra fur, but as Deska was long the D-ring was further back. Tully had more fur at the back of her neck so I have trouble getting her martingale off. The trick to getting out is the angle of the D-ring and a taut lead. In a harness if they pull backwards and the lead is over their head they can slip out, in a martingale if the lead is straight up they can slip out.
 
Nothing scarier than your dog escaping from their leash or collar! Anyone who thinks a snarling dog baring teeth is a playful dog is delusional at best!

When I would take the boys out for a walk they were always asked to do a sit stay on the grass as another dog passed! It reinforced their sit stay command and worked well.

However, I would have crossed the street if I noticed a snarling and aggressive dog! Granted it was not an option for you in this circumstance. Thankfully you were able to get her without ill effects.

We have a dog on our street that is a huge overweight yellow lab. That dog constantly growls and barks at any dog he sees. Believe me... I walk in the opposite direction every time. I don’t need my dogs getting scared! Sometimes you just have to rescue your pup...
I would have done the same... pick her up!
 
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ghggp said:
Nothing scarier than your dog escaping from their leash or collar! Anyone who thinks a snarling dog baring teeth is a playful dog is delusional at best!

When I would take the boys out for a walk they were always asked to do a sit stay on the grass as another dog passed! It reinforced their sit stay command and worked well.

However, I would have crossed the street if I noticed a snarling and aggressive dog! Granted it was not an option for you in this circumstance. Thankfully you were able to get her without ill effects.

We have a dog on our street that is a huge overweight yellow lab. That dog constantly growls and barks at any dog he sees. Believe me... I walk in the opposite direction every time. I don’t need my dogs getting scared! Sometimes you just have to rescue your pup...
I would have done the same... pick her up!
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Totally agree Gloria! There are some very ignorant people out there that know absolutely nothing (but think they do) about dog behavior.
Many times on walks I've also crossed the street or put my guys on a sit stay only to have some moron think how nice it'd be for them to meet! Really??? I try to be polite but one of these days....
I've also got a nice long walking stick (was a branch that broke off a tree, cleaned and sanded it up) that helps to reinforce that my guys don't need to meet yours.
 
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