Yard/Fetch Phobia :(

[nellie123]

Wasn't really sure if this was the right topic, but it happened in the agility yard so I guess so:

About two weeks ago Nellie and I were out in the yard playing ball and doing a bit of agility, when I threw the ball and she went and got it. I unknowingly threw the ball so that it landed on the ground near a patch of ground bees/wasps. They came out of the ground and started dive-bombing Nellie, chasing her back inside. She was totally fine(no swelling, etc) but since then she has been really scared to go into the yard for agility AND also does not chase any toys thrown by me, or play tug, anywhere. She has become really clingy to my dad and only chases toys in the house by him.

She's perfectly happy to do tricks in the house and is fine with tricks in the yard. Agility is also completely fine at trials.(brag: we went to a trial last weekend and she was stellar!CL1 title too!)

Does anyone have ideas on how to get her back into the yard to play agility and also chase toys thrown by me? We've tried some clicker training to get her more comfortable but it doesn't seem to be working. Thank you!

 

[OntarioSheltie]

I had something similar happen, only with Ginny it was MUCH more severe.

She stepped on a bee in some grass, didn't seem to understand what happened to her and became severely anxious of everything around her, particularly outside. I even had to put out a crate for her to hide in inside the house, she became so bad.

Here's the thread which describes what I did to help her. I found that putting too much pressure on her made it worse, so I tried doing fun she enjoyed in the yard with her near by. Eventually she couldn't help herself and started re-engaging.

http://www.sheltieforums.com/showthread.php?t=11118

 

[Meldor]

I agree with Melissa, avoid putting to much pressure on her in the yard. With a bit of time and patience, she will be back to normal.

Start slowly with short positive experiences and try to stop the game and go back inside before she starts being scared again, when she still seems like she wants to play or train. That way it will remain a fully positive experience.

I seem to recall you had a sort of similar set-back with the weaves a while back? Unless I am thinking of someone else but didn't Nellie stub her toe and started getting scared of the weaves? Maybe try and see what approach worked well to get her motivated again with the weaves...