Sitemaps

Any tips for a shy dog2007-11-25 2:58:14

My dog is shy and skittish around anyone he doesn't know and it takes him a long time to warm up to people. He's about 18 months old. Does anyone have any tips for correcting this behavior?

Answers:

Some dogs are like that.

You say his littermate (sister) is the same way.

When you see a pattern of behavior among a group of dogs that are closely related (siblings, parents/progeny etc), it is due to his breeding.

Behavior is an inheritable trait. Behavior is controlled by the brain and the brain is controlled by the neurological biochemicals.

What would concern me is that if he panics in a new place (what you said about Petco) that he could, one day, panic and bite from fear. Now, that doesn't mean "kill your dog". It does mean you have to learn to work with his temperment.

You have to figure out what are things that frighten him. Some things that are things that a timid dog can learn not to fear, ie: wering a collar and leash, being restrained in someone's arms or a crate. Others things they may never learn to cope with easily so that you can rely upon them to take it in stride - being approached by boisterous strangers who abruptly reach for them would be an example here. A timid dog who dislikes new places and new things will be on guard against attack as they fear all these things and can lash out from fear - we are talking fear biting here.

I would be very very interested in seeing his Volhard scores and for his sister: