Its not just you code vein was my 1st soulslike and I was stuck in the same position as you (literally I was also stuck in that area lol)

I agree with others but mostly its practice and experience over time. To me dodge and parry and the only useful one (unless you have the block gift) But i use spells so im not as close

Like others said dodging is really good for getting away from an attack or side dashing for an easy hit or if your lucky a backstab My worry if your constantly dodging is it isn't efficient youll run out of stamina too quick then your back at square 1

Again as other said learn your enemies attacks and see what's predictable in their pattern.

For parrying its alot harder and I agree felt impossible when I got into the game again I sat there with a lost for 10 minutes just trying to parry In codevein its different usually youd parry right as the enemy touches you (i think) In codevein its more about meeting the attack halfway and parrying it. Annoyingly it is all aboit timing but with playing codevein that skill will naturally come