This is Really Hard.

I have to add that this anxious, fussy behavior has only really developed in the last couple of days. Multiple people have said how great it worked to get another greyhound, which I'm sure would solve the problem because when we went to the Gassy walk and there were other hounds there, she was a different dog, letting everyone pet her and greeting everybody, which is not like her otherwise.

We took her for a walk today at Medicine Lake and we had to cut it short because she was too jumpy. There was a lot of commotion - kids swimming, people playing volleyball, kids at the playground - and she would start hopping around like a scared rabbit, pulling on the leash and trying to escape the situation. We hung in there, staying calm and quiet and not letting her escape from the situation, instead just stopping and letting her settle/regroup before continuing on. Finally we just sat on a bench near the playground and once we just sat quietly she started to become more relaxed, though still pretty alert. Kids make her nervous, but generally she is very shy when meeting other people. She backs away and seems really unsure. We try to encourage her or have the people offer her treats and wait until she comes to them but she usually doesn't warm up in the short amount of time we have as we are usually just greeting people in passing, so she gets away with not having to let anyone else pet her.

But like I said, at the Gassy walk she was so happy and comfortable with everyone, wanting attention and feeling comfortable greeting everyone, and we have not seen her like that since then. When she's timid and shy or freaked out by noises she does NOT want treats. She is too focused on whatever it is that is bothering her. When we meet people she is more likely to eat a treat, especially if it is just tossed near her on the ground, but when she's stressed by an overstimulating environment or things that are making her nervous there is no way to reward calm behavior because even when she gets calmer she still doesn't want treats. She doesn't even sniff them.

I know another greyhound would be great for her and would probably solve our problems, but I cannot convince Chris to get another one right now. I know it would not be more work having two, but it does double the cost, which is where we would probably get stuck. Also, we live in an apartment so she has to go potty on lead and having two dogs to potty on lead would be tricky.

Is it possible for her to still be happy and well-adjusted as a single dog? Or will she always be neurotic and anxious being the only one? What if she absolutely can't handle being the only dog but we can't get another one?! I feel very discouraged and stressed out. This is really hard.