... and is shy around people. Please anyone give me your thoughts on this.
I would like to get her to understand all that we are working on.
Hi Lisa, welcome.
Your pup is really cute, striking even, perfect little mask. She has that face that people are so drawn to with huskies, the reason they’re so popular even. And, as I'm sure you're aware, you’re dealing with a tougher breed to train than the average Lab or Golden. People often don’t realize this, selecting them based on the look of the breed alone.
Siberians are inherently outgoing and adventurous and very pack structure oriented. They are more independent than other breeds, meaning you’re not going to earn their respect overnight. They generally will try to please you if they understand, very clearly, what you are asking for and there's something in it for them.
Their response to confusion is often construed as being stubborn or ignoring you. If they don’t understand, rather than struggle to please you, they will find something else to do. They just don’t have that people pleasing, engagement factor that you see in most dogs.
You don’t have the benefit of a partnership right off the bat, it must be earned. They will look to you for leadership if you prove a worthy leader.
When you say people shy, this could be a few things. Perhaps she’s had little contact with humans, may have been left with mom too long and has become a bit doggy, responding first to other animals over humans. Perhaps her contact with humans has been a little intimidating (looking/staring at her striking face) or it could be a temperament issue.
When they’re young and just developing confidence, you want to try and keep the eye contact to a minimum. It has a really storng impact on these guys, a bit more so than other breeds.
A tough thing to do when your eyes and everyone else’s want to go straight to that adorable little mask, but it really can have an effect on the confidence of the pup, initially.
If you come in contact with people, try and protect her from the eye contact – and trust me, I know how hard this is with these guys – people just go goo goo over and adore them but it really isn’t helping her issue at all.
And it sounds like you’re working on a few things right now. I would slow down a bit and just work on one at a time. Completely proof say her “sit”. When she comes in, when she goes out, as you’re walking, 5-10 times, in the yard, it the car, everywhere she goes, have her “sit” and reward, reward, reward. Once she's offering it up (working for/with you) then I'd move on to the next one.
Sorry for the long winded book but I hope that helps a bit. Nice to have another husky member on board. Again, welcome.