noises mess with him a little bit but that is about it he might be scared of something that is big till i touch it then he sniffs it and then doesn't care anymore. Cars don't scare him cause we live in the city next to an air force base and he hears jets all day and a large highway is by the house as well. It's just people he is scared of to the point were he wants to run and get away from. Everything else is just a "oh crap that scared me but its just a pop machine , it's cool now".

Miles, your post ("oh crap that scared me but its just a pop machine , it's cool now"), and the picture of your pup, made me smile.

I will gather up some stuff about people-desensitizing and get it to you by Thursday, and I hope well before.

I'm sorry -- it's an overwhelming work week.


I'd be building this guy's confidence like crazy with marker training, and going loads of places with you (but not close enough to anyone to trigger the fear response).

He looks and sounds like a great dog!

P.S. Lots of others here have had fearful-dog experience, too..... more than I have.

I have had three recent ones, so I will get info to you before it fades from my dwindling and rapidly-aging brain cells.

You are in the right place!

just a little update after first post. I have been taking him to all the parks around the area(don't dog parks) and he was shy going up to some playground things but with me marking him touching the items at the park he started to chill out and not run away from things that scare him. I guess he was shy to other things besides people.

hope I am doing things right.

Great!

And I'm sending you a PM.

Miles - I don't necessarily think that there was any event or situation at the breeder prior to 3 months that has left a mark on your dog (though it's possible, but seems unlikely). My GSD is now 13 months old, and he entered a period of similar shyness at nearly the same age as your pup is now. My dog is still shy of others and we haven't really worked it out yet.

He used to be very happy to meet people on walks, but now is leary. He barks and gets his hackles up when anyone approaches him. I have made the error of trying the "there, there, it's okay" method, but I don't do that anymore. One of the main problems is the other people, who are not very helpful (wanting to come pet the pretty dog). They make you feel that you're rude or anti-social if the dog is barking at them, etc.

I have found that simply stopping and talking to the person (as I would if the dog were not with me) and ignoring him is the best method so far. After a minute, he usually will approach the person and sniff cautiously... and often allow them to touch him. Then he'll sit or lie down and be fine.

We still have tons of work to do with ours, including greeting guests to our home properly, etc. The advice others have offered above is good. Take the dog as many places as possible, socialization and getting used to different sights and sounds is important.

I've been working with clicker training recently, and am thinking I'll incorporate that - with "click, treat" as he calmly accepts people and shows confidence.

Hi Miles,

Were you able to work through this shyness with your puppy? I am asking because I have the same issue with my dutch shepherd also 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. Some people say that this personality is something the dog was born with and will not ever change but will be controlled with obedience.

Amy,
This really is something you should start another thread about.

Go to the top of the page and click New Topic. Pose your question. You'll get help.