How can i help my shy puppy?

Question

My puppy is Wonderful. She is shy and skiddish around strangers... But is curious. How can i help her get aquainted with people to let her know they arent out to hurt her?

She is 7 months old and has been to puppy class. (at pets mart) She is just very shy i know dogs can sense fear and i had to get rid of my last dog due to her trying to bite so i think influence her reactions to people.

Answer 1

It's important that you cure this young, or she could easily stay this way for the rest of her life. Your best chance of breaking her out if it is now, because she's still a puppy and should be a little more accepting of new situations than an adult dog.

Have a friend come over that your pup considers a stranger. Does your puppy like food? Put a trail of small, tantalizing treats leading up to your friend. Make sure your friend knows to use slow movements and a high, sing-song voice -- not a scolding one. Get your friend to let the pup sniff her hand, and be very gentle while petting her. Praise the pup for investigating and acting bold. DO NOT coo the pup when she shows fearful behavior, because she will interpret this as praise.

As your puppy gains acceptance of your friend, start doing this with more people, but just one at a time. Build your way up to men and children, since puppies tend to find these groups a little more scary.

Be patient with her, and show her yourself that there is nothing to be afraid of. Ignore fearful behavior, but never force her into a situation that she thinks is scary. Let her investigate at her own pace, and praise her when she does. Have friends over as often as possible to practice this with her.

Answer 2

This is very touchy. Some shy/anxious dogs can snip - not all the time out of aggression just as defense so you want to warn the people who try to pet her.

Have them relax, not excited voices and try one at a time. Not a group. Have them hold out their hand, fingers tucked. Let your puppy make the first move.

The person should stand side ways - its a less aggressive stance, and not to make direct eye contact with your dog. Let them crouch down - still to the side.

If they coax her over, have them speak to her in a low voice, almost a whisper, MAYBE offer a treat.

Do not let them pet her on her head. Most dogs get upset when they see that hand going over there eyes. Have them start out under the chin lightly then move up behind the ears.

And no sudden movements.

She should be in sit or down while the do this. With you bent at the waist petting her and encouraging her.

Don't force her into a situation she doesn't feel comfortable with.

Good Luck

Answer 3

My aunt had a puppy like your's. What she did was, to have people come over to the house that the puppy didn't know too well. Have the people give her a treat when she goes to them. That will show her that good things happen when she goes to people. Slowly stop giving her a treat, and just give her lots of love. She will learn that no one will hurt her.

Another thing to think about is, where did you get your puppy? Did you get her from a breeder who is mean to their dogs? You might have an animal abuse case on your hands. Did the other dogs there put her down? (show dominance and snap at her) Do you have other dogs who do that? That might be what your problem is.

Just remember to be patience and show your puppy all the love you have to give her.

Answer 4

Bring her to dog parks. I had a shy puppy once too but I start bringing her to dogparks 3 times a week if not more and she totally came out of her shell. You can do a search in your area online for them but its a great way for her to be exposed to other dogs and other people. While you're there just be an encouraging presence for her and give her a lot of praise and affection when she does well with a new person.

Answer 5

Have friendly, non-threatening people offer your dog a treat and talk to it in a friendly voice. Do NOT try to comfort your dog when it is afraid. That only accomplishes the exact opposite of what you want. If you do that you make the dog think there IS something to be afraid of and that it is right to be afraid. Pretend nothing is happening or act just like you would if the dog wasn't afraid. Once she is calm and not afraid, then feel free to praise her generously. Introduce it to lots of people. It will take a long time, but she will most likely learn that people are not scary.

Answer 6

As other people suggested, get her out there among people, just make sure she always has a positive experience! if she is so shy that people petting her really freaks her out, just ask strangers to walk by calmly and toss her a yummy treat. try to get her out with people of all shapes and sizes, young and old. don't over do it, you'll get those "ohh dogs love me!" people who will try to insist on petting her, which could scare her more. you didn't mention her age, but puppies do go through a fear period. take her to places like petco, or maybe enroll her in a puppy class. the puppy kindergarten i assist in works on this very problem by inviting people to bring their children along, and allowing other owners to spend time with all the different pups.

Answer 7

Praise works best with puppies and some food rewards also play a part. Try taking her for walks and meet people intentionally, praising her for greeting people in a friendly manner. Soon she will want to meet more and more people expecting the praise from you, the odd biscuit or two and pets from admiring passersby. Have fun and who knows you might meet some interesting people too.

Answer 8

The best thing you can do for her is just socialize her - take her everywhere you can. Take her for walks, to Petsmart, have friends over, take her visiting if you can. Be careful that you're not reinforcing her skittish behaviour by telling her "it's ok" if she backs off from someone. If you do that you're telling her she's right to be scared. You need to encourage her to go up to people, but let her do it at her own pace. Not all breeds just run up to strangers and instantly make friends and that's alright, too.

Answer 9

Handle your puppy as much as possible. Massage her gums. Let others handle her. Take her many places. Take her to home depot and pet stores where they allow dogs. Take an obedience class. Take her around children. Do it all while she is little. Give people treats like little pieces of string cheese and let them feed her and pet her.

Answer 10

Don't force her, reinforce her with love and a kind tone when meeting someone. You may want to try a dog school course for socialization. Find a group one and make it fun for the both of you. Good luck.