My baby girl is so shy

[Maggies Dad]

Maggies just turned 6 months old last week and is the picture of health and the most loving dog in the world with the whole family but if I take her out with me she is so shy. My wife took her to the vet for me last Monday while I was at work( she had swallowed a Lava Rock, long story but shes fine and the rock has passed) But while she was there many people commented on how pretty of a girl she was and after asking if they could pet her would try and she would act if she had been beat to death slinking down and hiding behind momma's legs. This is not the first time this has happen and it bothers me, What can I do to help with this problem? Thanks

[trainer]

RE: My baby girl is so shy

Try the book "Help For Your Shy Dog" by Deborah Wood.

ETA: You can find it at amazon.com and dogwise.com. Amazon is the cheapest.

Bill Carnes
www.skylarzack.com
www.k9goodbehavior.com

"Unnatural diets predispose animals to unnatural outcomes"
Dr. Tom Lonsdale

Causing pain, either physical, mental, or emotional to an animal to force him to act as you think he should is wrong. It was wrong yesterday, it's wrong today, and it will be wrong tomorrow. Doing so only reflects the ignorance of the trainer. There IS a better way.

[AshieLu]

RE: My baby girl is so shy

My Lucy Lu was a very shy girl. She was very loving and affecionate with the family and close friends that she would see all the time. If I would take her anywhere, pet store, vet, walks, dog school wherever she was scared to death and would hide and shake behind me. She is now 15 months old and is finally starting to come out of her shell. I just keep on taking her places and exposing her to new situations. I always carry her favorite treats (hot dog pieces) in my pocket or purse. When people approach her I have them hand her a treat. She is not allowed to have it until she comes out from behind me. Once someone hands her a treat she is in love with them! She is just now starting to trust people and knows that she has nothing to be afraid of.

It used to break my heart to see her shaking in fear. I love to take my dogs places with me and she was miserable anyplace we went. I was told by my trainer at dog school to keep taking her places. He also told me to keep visits to places short. I arranged with my vet to bring her there during off/not to busy hours just to let her get to know the girls and the vet. Now she doesn't mind going to the vet unless someone new is working. It has really paid off for both of us.

She still gets a little nervous, but she doesn't hide anymore. She just kinda looks at me like not this again.

Amy

[Leelyn]

RE: My baby girl is so shy

Parker, our female dane is 4 months old and is also really shy. She had no social interaction with humans or other dogs until 11 wks. Every where we take her she crouches and hides between my legs. She has gotten a lot better with the more we take her out. She still is really nervous at puppy classes and inside buildings but we have been taking her everywhere and that has helped a lot. She has a long ways to go, but has already gone a long ways. Keep taking your dog places as often as you can, it has worked so far. its encouraging to know other peoples dogs have overcome it and she can too.