Dear Miss Fifi:

We have a female english bulldog who is very sweet, however she is scared of everything! If a bag or ball or anything is out of place she gets in her kennel and will not come out. She is two years old, and we have had her since she was 12 weeks old. She has always been this way. How can we help her to get out of this?

- Pamela

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Dear Pamela:

It sounds like her nerves are shot.

Have you tried holding your dog in your lap and investigating the items that worry her? Let her see that you're comfortable with them, and help her establish a calm method in which to check them out. The kennel, as it should be, is her safe spot so it's nice to know she does have somewhere to go where she can settle her nerves. One thing you might try is touching base with a pet behavior specialist. They may have some good ideas for helping your pup shed her squirrellyness.