fearful rescue dog

[601halfdozen0theother]

How? I can't watch her 24 hours a day.

She's shucked a regular collar and leash, and a slip collar/leash. Multiple times.

I'll try a Gentle Leader harness next - it should arrive on Thursday. (I live in the boonies so just can't run out and buy one.)

Although she will eat out of my hands, and voluntarily sleeps on the dog bed by my bed, after 2 weeks in my home she still won't let me touch her or pet her.

Any ideas?

[flowbe202]

Putting the halti on is not going to be fun... Dont know if you'll be able to get that close to fit it and then put it on.

The goal might be to build up her confidence first by quietly sharing space.
Have you tried quietly sitting on the floor, not looking in the eyes, and doing a trail of treats slowly to you? Just keep the leash and collar by the treats to desensitize their "scaredy-catness". Its got to be a slow, gentle and quiet process...

When working with Jelly the SharPei, it was a very slow process in the beginning. Having a second dog helped, but the initial trust building was just sitting and treating. she got chunky at first!!