Has anyone been able to work through shyness with their puppy? I am asking because I have an issue with my dutch shepherd who is 8 months old. He is not afraid of anything except the initial meeting of people but recovers very quickly. I have a super trainer that he stays with for about 2 weeks out of every month since I have acquired the dog and responds very well to obedience, becoming a much more confident dog. I am not a competitive dog person but trainer who has been to worlds says this dog could complete his BH now but the age requirement is older than 8 months. Some people say that this personality/ genetic defect that the dog was born with and will not ever change but will be controlled with obedience. The breeder tells me that as long as the dog recovers quickly, he will grow out of it. I take the dog out to socialize quite often and even take him into NYC. Any experience's would be greatly appreciated.

Amy,
How do you mean shy of people at first meeting? Mmmm, what I mean is what's his body language?
And when you say socialize often, what does socialization mean to you? Is he expected to be fondled by all he meets?
How does he deal with the flooding you put him through during his visits to the Big Apple?

Hi Randy,

Sometimes his body language means tucking his tail other times, like yesterday he snarled at a woman in a local pet store who just looked at him. I do not let strangers touch my dog but hope that he will be able to ignore them in the future as he grows up. He seems to be reactive when someone gets too close. If it is required for him to adjust to an individual ie friends, maids or assistants then he will, it just takes a few minutes for him to adjust. Socialization to me means getting the dog out and around different places not just at home where everything is fine, because he knows all visitors. When walking through the city he reacts differently to situations, meaning he is quite fine to walk past strangers, as long as no one strange gets close to him, if so he tucks his tail. He was exhibiting this behavior towards other dogs too but since his last visit with his trainer he seems to have grown out of being reactive to other dogs. I don't let other dogs sniff or say hello to him, I just mean whilst walking by them. He comes to the city as my husband has business there and we don't want to leave him home!

Sounds like you have a fear agressive dog on your hands & it is possible that no amount of socialization will ever cure it. (been there, done that) The dog may evntually remain somewhat neutral, but I would never trust a dog like that not to react if the right trigger presents itself. You will always have to be on guard with a dog like that. I would be very careful with him in public. JMO, having been down that road.

So the dog has always had that kind of avoidance language?
What kind of training is he going through? ie. is he doing any protection work?.........Any at all?
Which brings up another point I rather neglected, why on earth would you give up your dog for half of it's present life with you?

Hi Randy,

The puppy had this behavior when I picked him up at the airport but I thought it was just flight jitters because he quickly got over it. He starting acting out around other people when he was about 3-4 months old. The dog knows to heel, come when called, drop the ball when told, sit when told and lay down. He is doing standard Schutzhund work but reluctant to start bite work with a dog exhibiting this kind of behavior. The dog spends so much time at the trainers because I travel and can't take him with me, plus I am not a professional and I get a better dog every time he comes home. He is a part of their family too! I am just wondering if anybody has ever been able to work a dog through this avoidance or is it genetically always going to be with him?

If your trainer is as experienced as his credentials infer that he is...why would he not able to asses the degree of fear or fear agression that is surfacing? And how genitically ingrained it is. You state that he has the dog 2 weeks out of every month. My guess is that as the dog continues to mature so will the fear agression issues increase. (like now growling at the lady in the store that made eye contact with the dog) Making eye contact with a dog is the same as challenging him. Dogs que mostly off of body language as opposed to humans who que more off of verbalage. The dog that I had with fear/ fear agression issues started going forward with the agression at almost 7 months old around the same age as your dog is now. JMO & the experience that I had. Good luck with your dog. I hope he works out fore you.

The trainer has told me that this is in the dogs personality and the obedience will make him more confident but not solve an ingrained problem and this has been my experience so far.I suppose that I was hoping someone on this board had been able to change this behavior.I am confident the pup will work out as I have never got rid of an animal in my life! Thank you for your knowledge and sharing of information.

Amy check your PMs.

My rescue has fear agression ,he is just over a year old,as my vet said "I would much rather have a dominant aggressive dog that fearful" they may never change,work on building confidence,bring around others,but like you said ,no petting etc.,no dog parks. I personally would by a muzzle,IMHO I would think twice about the schutzund,trainer should be able to advise you. Dont give up,my Edward is a sweety at home ,a work in progress!