Shy dogs may not be experiencing a fulfilled life and can be burdened with stress. To aid your timid canine in becoming more self-assured and sociable, what steps can you take?
Although it may appear endearing when your canine takes cover behind your legs upon encountering another dog or person, failing to tackle their shyness may exacerbate the issue. Dogs with excessive timidity may respond anxiously, and sometimes even belligerently, when they confront new surroundings.
Delaying the process of building your dog’s confidence could lead to unfavorable consequences. Your dog may lose the opportunity to socialize with other dogs, participate in typical dog activities, and even experience physical limitations. Anxious shy dogs are more prone to exhibit harmful behaviors such as scratching and chewing.
Is Your Dog Shy?
Identifying shy behaviors in dogs is the initial move towards instructing your dog to become bold and sociable. Keep watch for these typical shy dog behaviors and body language cues:
- Hiding
- Shaking or stiff posture
- Cowering
- Tucked tail
- Low pulled back ears
- Avoiding eye contact
- Whimpering or whining
- Panting or licking lips
- Urinating
Begin helping your dog become more confident when it displays signs of shyness, particularly in new or strange scenarios.
Our guide provides you with valuable insights on how to transform your dog’s perspective on life and make their social activities enjoyable again!
Follow The Leader
Pet dogs need the same leadership level as their wild counterparts to feel safe, secure, and confident. In a home setting, the dog owner’s leadership role is more geared toward teaching their pet rather than just demanding that the pup follows commands blindly.
Your dog can pick up subtle cues, like body language. They will follow your lead, good or bad, so make sure you show your dog that you are confident and comfortable when meeting new people, new dogs, and going to new places.
Your Dog Needs Choices
When provided with options, your canine companion will experience an increase in self-assurance and a sense of authority.
Naturally, despite the fact that certain dog breeds possess great intellect, you should present your pet with uncomplicated, two-part options. This means that the decision must be presented in terms of either “yes” or “no,” as most dogs find this easy to understand.
Providing an excess of options can lead to befuddlement and will not instill the desired self-assurance in your timid canine.
Encourage Your Dog to Think For Himself
Encouraging a shy dog to think autonomously and not depend solely on you can enhance its confidence. Normally, shy dogs struggle with problem-solving, but engaging them in games or puzzles that teach problem-solving skills can aid in building their self-assurance.
You may have to provide your dog with some pointers initially, but once he understands the game, your furry friend’s self-assurance will increase. This form of cognitive challenge for dogs is also beneficial in lowering stress and monotony.
Praise Your Dog
Keeping a dog can be an enriching and happy experience, but there are occasions when things can take a turn, primarily when you’re potty training your furry friend.
Even though perfect behavior cannot always be expected from anyone, including your dog, your response when things do not go as planned can significantly impact their reaction.
In case of unexpected situations, it’s important to stay composed and refrain from becoming agitated. Employ precise verbal signals like “stop” or “no” that your pet comprehends, indicating that they should retry. Once your furry friend succeeds, applaud them with expressions like “good” or “yes,” and give them a reward like their preferred treat or plaything.
Training
Attending obedience training classes with your dog is an effective means of building up their self-assurance and overcoming social phobia towards other canines and humans. Nonetheless, consistently practicing training exercises at home can further enhance and preserve their confidence levels.
As part of your dog’s daily routine, you may incorporate simple commands into your interactions. As your dog successfully follows through with these commands, their self-assurance will gradually increase. Commence with fundamental commands such as “sit,” “shake,” or “stay,” and gradually add more advanced skills and duties.
Keep Your Praise Genuine
Even though the words you use may not be comprehended by your dog, he or she will still be able to detect and interpret your tone and your body language.
Make sure not to excessively praise your dog. Although it is important to show your pet appreciation and reward good behavior with treats, avoid being too exuberant. Overexcitement may cause your dog to be uncertain or frightened, which can negatively impact their self-assurance.
Strive for a joyful and enthusiastic tone, without going overboard. Your pitch should be elevated from your normal speaking voice while remaining identifiable.
Don’t Show Favouritism
It is important to avoid favoritism towards a particular dog when living in a household with multiple dogs.
Canines are perceptive creatures and can easily sense your emotional state. If a particular dog feels that you prefer your other household companions, it may develop animosity and hostility towards them.
The dog will experience a decline in confidence and adopt feelings of inferiority, believing that he will never be good enough no matter how much he attempts to satisfy you.
Don’t Be Afraid to Try New Things
Dogs that are reserved tend to feel at ease with their established routine, and anything beyond that may appear intimidating. To encourage your dog to explore beyond their comfort zone, you’ll need to take them away from their familiar surroundings and encourage novel experiences.
What’s the ideal duration for walking my dog? Beginning with your regular walks can be advantageous. Changing your routes will give your dog a chance to encounter fresh scenery, scents, and noise, as well as meet diverse humans and animals.
Allowing your dog to participate in group activities such as dog parks, pet stores, and doggy daycare is an effective strategy to introduce them to fresh and optimistic scenarios that aid in the development of confidence and social abilities. However, it is important to proceed slowly and avoid pushing your dog into excessively stimulating situations in the beginning.
Shy Dogs Can Overcome It!
There are constructive measures you can take to boost the confidence of your timid and introverted dog. While it requires persistence and repetition, implementing these measures can transform your dog into a more extroverted and affable pet.
To ensure your dog’s ease in unfamiliar scenarios, set an example and assume the role of pack leader. Serve as a guide and instructor for your dog, applauding appropriate behavior and prompting him to independently solve minor dilemmas.
To prevent feelings of jealousy or insecurity among your multiple dogs, it is important to evenly distribute your time and attention. Engage your dogs in group activities as they can learn from each other, which facilitates the acquisition of normal dog behaviour.
BONUS: Dog training 101 — How to set realistic goals and where to get started
When it comes to training dogs, there are primarily two categories. The first is skill training which pertains to basic etiquette like sitting, staying, and laying down. This can be achieved through a dog trainer. On the other hand, if your dog suffers from behavioral problems like aggression, anxiety, or fear, it is recommended to seek out a dog behavioral consultant who specializes in this area, such as Brianna Dick from Pack Leader Help.
“The way that I approach dog training is behavioral psychology based,” says Dick, who is a member of the International Association of Canine Professionals. “We’re not looking at just the physical behaviors of dogs. We’re looking at their emotions and the relationship they have with their humans.”
Begin with behavior training if you require both skills and behavioral training, as it is the most intricate. While a dog trainer may be proficient in instructing your dog to sit, a dog behavior consultant is better suited to address separation anxiety issues.
Be realistic.
As Fratt points out, not every dog will enjoy going to the dog park, just as not every person will enjoy attending raves.
Kim Brophey, who owns The Dog Door Behavior Center, is an applied ethologist and a mediator for family dogs. In addition, she authored “Meet Your Dog: The Game Changing Guide To Understanding Your Dog’s Behavior.” Brophey employs an approach named L.E.G.S (learning, environment, genetics, self) to clarify dog behavior. For instance, if your guests are being barked at by your dog.
Brophey explains that this breed of dog has been purposely bred for centuries to protect against intruders entering through your front door. As the instinct to defend its territory is inherent in German shepherds, adjusting your expectations may be necessary instead of trying to eradicate this trait through training.
Decide how you’d like to train your dog.
There are several ways to train, including group classes, one-on-one sessions, board and train, day training and self-led training. Although group classes cost less, they do not provide individual attention. According to Fratt, board and train options are pricier and come with more risks.
“If the trainer spends all this time training the dog in this really specific context and then basically just hands you the leash, takes your check and walks away, there’s a very good chance you’re not actually going to be able to implement those new strategies and skills … successfully in your home.”
Your decision relies on both your budget and objectives in training. In case your dog displays aggression towards another dog at home, it is unlikely that training outside of your home would address this issue effectively.
It is important to understand that you will need to participate in your dog’s training, but this does not necessarily have to consume a significant portion of your time. Fratt suggests that dedicating as little as five minutes to training each day is sufficient. Furthermore, many of the exercises recommended by trainers are enjoyable and can be easily integrated into your daily routine.
Our experts recommend free or inexpensive online resources for dog training if you wish to avoid spending a significant amount of money.
- Kikopup on Youtube and Instagram
- Fenzi Dog Sports Academy
- K9 of Mine
On her website, Dick has gathered a collection of free resources, while Fratt presents a set of complimentary lessons known as Training Tuesday Free Lessons.
Understand the methodologies.
The field of dog training is entirely unregulated, allowing individuals with a website, Instagram presence, or physical shop to declare themselves as dog trainers. Due to the absence of an authoritative guidebook regarding appropriate dog training techniques, there exists a range of opinions among trainers. Nonetheless, most trainers can be classified into two general groups:
One type of dog trainers who use positive reinforcement methods, such as Fratt, offer rewards such as treats to encourage good behavior and create positive associations with previously perceived negative experiences.
Balanced trainers, such as Brianna Dick, are the second type. They implement positive reinforcement techniques but are also open to including corrections, such as e-collars, in their training approach.
Dick explains that E-collar training utilizes a collar that your dog wears and that you control with a remote, which produces a correction stimulus to your dog’s neck, such as a shock, sound, or citronella spray. These types of collars are a point of contention in the dog training community, particularly those that produce a shock.
Be cautious of trainers who use e-collars on every dog, according to Dick. “This is an unoriginal approach that is unlikely to yield satisfactory outcomes,” she advises. “It’s preferable to find someone who takes the time to understand your unique circumstances, including your bond and way of life with your pet.”
Find a good trainer.
To locate reliable positive reinforcement or balanced trainers in your locality, you can commence your search with the help of diverse professional associations’ lists. Numerous such lists are available, such as:
- International Association of Animal Behavior Consultants (IAABC)
- Certification Council for Professional Dog Trainers (CCPDT)
- The Association of Professional Dog Trainers (APDT)
- Karen Pryor Academy (KPA)
- Pet Professional Guild
- The Academy for Dog Trainers
- Pat Miller Certified Trainers
Conduct interviews and contact previous clients to determine which trainer puts you at ease. Verify that they can articulate their approaches to training.
