1 of 23

Write now Article Tools

Timid dogs awaken our most nurturing instincts. It is heart breaking to see a dog huddled in the corner of a kennel, big brown eyes wet with fear. He is afraid of any and all things, unsure of himself and his world. So, when you inevitably decide to bring him home, how do you train a timid dog to be a confident one?

1. Have patience

It will not happen overnight. It may not even happen over a week. All of the tips and tricks in the world may help the dog, but it will not make it happen quicker. If you truly want to help this dog, give it the gift of going at its own pace. You don't know what it has been through or how the world looks to him. He may be living his version of a nightmare, but you can't wake him up until he's ready. Be there for him, but don't push him.

2. Don't feel sorry for him
Don't let the dog know that you are sad when you look at him. Dogs are animals with a highly attuned sense of posture and attitude. As we can hear voice inflections, so, too, dogs can understand body language. They will know, and an anxious leader makes for an anxious follower. Anxiety is already the problem. It's counter productive to add your own.

3. Let the dog smell you

Dogs lead with their nose because it is their most powerful sense organ. The smell receptor for a human is the size of a postage stamp. A dog's is 25 times larger. While in general control of the dog, let him smell you. Turn side ways because facing an opponent is seen as aggression to dogs. Think of yourself as a very small thing and let the shy dog sniff you. You may have to do this several times for him to get accustomed to you.

4. Appeal to his food side

After smell, dogs are motivated by food. "As a matter of interest dogs will not take food when they are fearful or stressed," says respected trainer Stan Rawlinson. If you can establish a situation where the dog is moderately comfortable, food can be a great way of initiating the bond between you and him. One of the best ways to initiate this practice is to toss some food a foot or so in front of the dog wherever he may be holed up. Don't ask for him to run to eat it. Throw the food and walk away. Give him the opportunity to see that there is no threat presented by the food. Eventually, you will be able to toss the food to him and he will eat it immediately. This builds trust. Keep bringing the food closer and closer to you until the dog is eating out of your hand. Encourage and praise him for every new step he takes. Dogs associate experiences with praise

• 1
• 2
• 3
• next page >>

Add your voice

Know something about How to help a timid rescue dog?
We want to hear your view. Write now!