How to Help a Shy Dog Become More Social at Any Age

Is your dog shy? One common reason that a dog may be shy is because he possibly had a lack of exposure to new people, places and things when he was at a young age. You can help your dog at any age to overcome his shyness with lots of love and patience.

An important goal for an owner is to have a puppy grow up and mature to be friendly and well-adjusted for their lifelong emotional well-being. Puppyhood is an important period for a dog's development. Positive influence in the early weeks of the puppy's life can be very beneficial.

The time before the puppy is sixteen weeks old is an important developmental time period when he may be very receptive and influenced by his experiences. Socialization actually begins on the day your puppy is born and continues for the rest of his life.

If you have a puppy that shows signs of being shy and he has already had all of his proper vac­cinations, you may want to be guided by your veterinarian about when and also how to introduce your puppy to other animals in a safe manner.

Once you know that it is fine to socialize your puppy, you may want to gradually introduce your new puppy to some of your friends in a pleasant, supervised manner. You may want to get your puppy comfortable with handling, especially if they may need routine grooming in the future. You can safely hold your puppy on your lap and help him practice being calm and relaxed with you.

It may be lots of fun to safely take the puppy on short car rides, so he becomes familiar with riding in the car. This positive experience may make it easier for the both of you when you need to go for any future veterinarian office visits.

If you happen to already have another pet in the home, you may want to make sure that you provide enough individual attention to your new dog to help them develop their own personality.

You can help build your dog's confidence and be a good leader by beginning to teach him a few basic commands, such as sit, stay and come. It is positive reinforcement to reward your dog with treats or verbal praise when he acts with confidence.

Dog obedience classes may offer an opportunity for the dog to socialize with people and other dogs in a safe, supervised setting. Some professional dog trainers specialize in helping shy dogs.

Spending quality time with your dog is very important for his mental well-being. You can enjoy walks together. You may wish to take your dog on errands with you, if possible. Always remember to reward your dog when he has done something right. Helping your dog feel a sense of accomplishment is a great confidence builder.