Your new puppy appears to be scared of everything and you want to help bring him out of his shell.
Identifying problematic shyness in a puppy can be difficult. It is in a puppy´s nature to be fearful of people, places and objects that are new to him. The shyness will more than likely fade as he matures. However, some dogs are born with a very timid disposition and if ignored will develop into problematic shyness. The following tips should help you help your timid puppy.
- Have you spoken with your veterinarian about your puppy´s shyness? There are several medical conditions which can cause hormonal shifts that appear as a very timid disposition. Epilepsy, thyroid problems and other medical conditions have been known to have this effect on dogs. If you feel strongly that your puppies timid nature is more than normal puppy shyness make an appointment with your veterinarian.
- Be careful to avoid training your dog to be fearful. When your puppy whines or barks defensively you want to console him. While this feeling is normal, it will just reinforce his idea that there is something to be fearful of. When your dog exhibits this type of behavior the best thing you can do is to ignore it and let him find out that there is nothing to be afraid of. If he whines and hides under the table when a new person enters your home, he will see that your guest leaves without incident and that his fears were unfounded.
- Reward him for social behavior. Anytime your shy puppy exhibits social behavior reward him with his favorite treat. Try taking him to a public place, with his favorite toys and play with him. Make it a fun, no pressure event. Wait for him to feel comfortable enough to start playing with you and reward his confidence with a treat or a new toy.
The above methods should help you bring your puppy out of his shell without developing a problem. Be patient and don´t pressure your pup into being a social butterfly and always reward his successes. If these methods do not help and your puppies personality becomes even more introverted you may need to seek professional help.
Make sure you stock up on plenty of rewards so you can positively reinforce your puppies social successes. Keep a few new toys and a variety of fun treats at home so that there is always a fun new reward available.
