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Problem w/ Heeler pup

Hi, I rescued this Heeler pup from the shelter; she is spayed, etc. She is about 5 months old.

Had her 2 1/2 months, and she is showing no signs of protecting the property! I live on 10 acres & need a warning bark if anyone comes into the yard; this one runs & hides for hours. Also when we go for walks, she acts terrified & runs into the bushes if a car approaches or a strange dog barks.

I am exahusted by all this, I wanted a dog with some protective instincts not a scardy cat. What can I do to instigate a guardian behavior?  Thanks!
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82861 tn?1333453911
You said it yourself: you have a scaredy cat.  Your poor dog is no where near secure enough to think about protecting anything other than herself.  She has no self-confidence whatsoever.  Can that change?  Yes!  To reach that point, I think you'll need professional assistance with a trainer, or preferably, a behaviorist.  If you deal with her behavior by yelling and getting angry, you will only make her even more neurotic.  
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Avatar universal
Earn it. Obviously this animal has been given reasons in it's short life to be afraid of a lot of things. It's going to take a lot of time and patience to get her to a point where she's not afraid. If she ever reaches that point. If you truely and immediately want just a guard dog then I'm afraid you might be out of luck. If you want a friend for life, a pet to love, and a chance to earn that protection that naturally developes between dog and owner then keep her, love her (as she is), and give her a chance.
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