Really upset struggling with Ishka

I cant seem to make any progress with her. One day she seems ok then the next shes growling and barking at passing dogs, though its not just ordinary barking, its a really scary noise, I can only describe is as some sort of crazed baying or hell barking. She scared an old lady with a lab so badly she jumped into brambles to escape us before I could explain to her

Today was a particularly bad walk, she kicked off badly at every dog we saw, a westie went for her which made her even worse. On the way back I was getting her out the car at home and she hell barked at a passer by with a dog who started screaming at her "SHUT UP!!" Well this sent me into a rage so I had a big arguement about the usefulness of screaming at a nervous dog.

Shes on scallup and valerian tablets, Ive tried feeding her a zillion treats when we see a dog, watching dogs in the distance, trying to be careful about which dogs she socialises with. I dont know what to do no . Is a behaviourist next? Walking her so early and late noone is around? Shes still never shown any sign of biting just so very vocal and cowers but her limits seem to becoming less and less Im so worried

I dont know what Im trying to say here. Just after some help, feel useless

Have you thought about finding a training club where she can be around other dogs with them not paying her any attention? Start with a fair bit of distance, and gradually work your way closer

Poor you and Ishka.

Sounds like her comfort zone is being pushed beyond what she is able to manage. Problem is if you don't get her out and around other dogs at a safe distance she will become worse. Are you tense before you start out worrying about her reactions ?

Do you know anyone with a bomb proof dog you could walk with either with them in front or behind for a while and then start trying to get her to walk alongside ?
If not behaviorist sounds like your next step. Is she speyed ? I was wondering if it could be hormonal that is making her worse than usual.

Sorry no real advice or help for you.

No that would only send her into stress overdrive, she sees a dog in the very distance sometimes and starts the hell barking. Theres no way Im taking her into any confined space with other dogs she will melt down and I doubt bog standard training clubs would have the space Lynn Fleet is the best person around here but her classes are held in a small church

Could it be that on the days she seems "OK", she is actually too fearful to do anything, but the pressure rises with each scary event and eventually she has a huge, reactive day to everything she sees? Look up trigger stacking in reactive dogs, it can explain why reactions seem so random.
If you are struggling on your own then a behaviourist could be a good way forward, I'd recommend an APBC registered one though - http://www.apbc.org.uk
Also another idea is a "grumpy dog"/reactive dog workshop, they won't cure your dog in a day but the one I attended with Casper showed the basics to give you an idea on where to start, and also gave lots of management techniques (plus a bunch of the theory behind reactivity to help me understand his behaviour more)

Lynn shes due her booster in a few weeks so spaying is defo top of the list to discuss with vet. I know castrating a nervous male can make them worse but never read anything about spaying a nervous bitch.

I dont do anything when she reacts. Just carry on and apologise to the victim explaining shes scared.

Shes not a typical laid back Basset at all

I think you maybe right, when she doesnt react she commandos along the floor still scared.

I did find a class called "reactive rover" but when I contact the trainer she said she wasnt able to run the course any more as she was moving

I know having Ollie neutered too young didn't help him at all with his nervous issues. Like you not sure if the same would apply to a nervous bitch but I am wondering if coming into season makes her worse than usual have you noticed the timing of it at all ?

I don't think you can do much more than ignore the behaviour. Maybe a one to one behaviourist is the way to go.

It all starting at the first season, its been like this in better and worse patches ever since.

The worst of it is the noise she makes. Im sure sooner or later I ill have a visit from dog warden about having a dangerous dog, it scares even me.

Lynn is an excellent behaviourist