13 of 23

Write now Article Tools

Page 2 of 2

by wearing a hat yourself, praise and reward your dog. Next time, have a stranger to the dog enter the room, but do not approach the dog. Praise and reward. Finally, introduce the person to the dog calmly and reward.

GREETING: Never force a timid dog to greet someone she does not want to greet. This will only cause your dog to regress, and all your hard work will be undone.

As a general guideline, timid dogs should be introduced to one new place a week. Allow your leashed dog to walk on the ground. Never carry her. Dogs who are carried lose confidence in themselves and tend to rely more on their owners.

Allow other people to approach your dog, but it is your job to teach them how to greet your dog properly. Use caution with the types of people and animals you introduce to your dog at first. Young children are usually too overwhelming for a timid dog.

CHILDREN: Children and adults alike should be instructed on the proper way to greet your dog. Never make eye contact with a timid dog. This is considered a threat to most shy dogs, and can frighten them. Never make sudden movements, and speak calmly and quietly while approaching the dog. Be sure to offer the back of your wrist for the dog to sniff. If she shows interest, continue to scratch behind the ears, or under the chin. Never pat a nervous dog on top of the head or approach the face area. The best area to approach a dog is on her side in between her ribcage and hindquarters, sure to win over most dogs.

TRAINING: A good dog trainer can work with you and your dog and develop a plan of success that works for both you and your dog. For timid dogs, private training is recommended for personal attention. Later, a small class of three to four mildly tempered dogs would be a great encouragement tool for your dog.

Positive reinforcement training is a must for nervous dogs. In positive reinforcement training, dogs are rewarded for good behavior with praise, treats, or toys. Keep in mind, however, that some timid dogs will not accept food from a human hand without some practice.

In severe cases, formal training can not help dogs. At that point, your veterinarian should be consulted, as well as an animal behaviorist.

Dogs have the mental learning capabilities of a four-year-old child, so it is important that you remember to exercise patience and consistency in your training. Your loving approach will soon win over your dog, and she will soon be grateful for the rescue!

Learn more about this author, April Olshavsky.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.

• << previous page
• 1
• 2

Add your voice

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