Puppy Care
SHYNESS AND FEARFULNESS#/Title#
Some puppies are born shy or fearful. They may have had timid parents. Temperament is passed down from parent to puppy, so if your puppy's parents were shy, there's a good chance that it's in her genes. Some puppies are
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SHYNESS AND FEARFULNESS#/Title#
Some puppies are born shy or fearful. They may have had timid parents. Temperament is passed down from parent to puppy, so if your puppy's parents were shy, there's a good chance that it's in her genes. Some puppies are shy or fearful because they haven't had a lot of positive social experiences during their first 16 weeks of life. Maybe they never left the house or kennel except to go to the veterinarian. Or maybe they were "outside" puppies who never enjoyed diverse interactions.
Shy puppies can be very challenging and frustrating. You want to make them less afraid of the world. You may want to do things with your puppy that require you to take her places or require that she be friendly with strangers. Unfortunately, you can't reason with a shy puppy and simply explain to her that there's no reason to be afraid. Instead, you must be very patient and help her overcome her fears.
What to Do
If you have a shy puppy, it's best to contact a professional reward-based trainer to assist you. She will personally evaluate your puppy and help to develop a treatment plan to build her confidence.
What Not to Do
In the meantime,
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