Are you the owner of an extremely shy puppy? Shy and fearful behavioral is characteristic in toy breed dogs, but all breeds have the potential for shyness. In fact, every litter will have a least one shy or reserved puppy. Shy puppies will need to be treated a little differently than the rest of the pups.

When these shy puppies grow up into adulthood, they typically become extremely needy. Instead of being confident and secure, they look to their owners for reinforcement and protection in almost every social situation. This need to “run to mommy or daddy” every time she gets scared will lead to trouble down the road. As an adult, your dog may start to react with aggression if she is not getting the soothing attention she has come to rely upon. Helping her learn to screen social situations, will make her more confident and curtail the yappie fearful barking.

Ironically, constantly caressing and soothing your shy puppy when she demonstrates extreme shyness and becomes frightened, only reinforces the shy behavior. She grows to associate the loving, with the behavior that is actually driving you crazy. It’s hard to imagine ignoring your shy and scared puppy when she needs you, but if you want to help her change her behavior and become a bold and social animal, you have to quit letting her know that it is “okay” to be afraid.

Helping Your Shy Puppy Shine

If your dog is showing signs of fear and timidness early on, then you will have to be patient when helping her adjust in social situations. You must coach your dog and help her realize you will not be her protector in all routine social situations. Behaviors, such as barking while hiding behind your legs when startled, darting away whenever seeing a normal part of the outside world, like a person walking or a bush swaying by the wind, will need to be stopped..

Here are some ideas to help you help your puppy embrace social situations with much less shyness:

1. Start by explaining to your family and friends that they need to ignore your puppy's fear-induced barking or crying whenever they approach your charming puppy. Up to this point your dog has acted and reacted out of fear. Whenever someone approaches, your dog has learned barking and hiding works in her favor. You picking her up or acting as the buffer between strangers and your puppy, has reinforced her fearful behavior. Going forward your dog will start to understand that fear-induced barking will not work anymore, especially as long as your friends and family respect your training wishes. Eventually she will learn that these people are safe and once she is confident enough, she will welcome their attention and no longer hide from them.

2. Whenever expecting guests to arrive at the house, be sure to keep your puppy secured by her lead. Take her with you as you approach and greet the guests, the lead allows the dog to be with you all times. The difference is that when she starts crying, barking, or hiding behind your legs, you will now act in a confident matter and be near her, without petting or soothing her. This will help your dog become confident while teaching her that her old behavior will not work anymore. The lead can be her security blanket and still encourage her to learn to be part of the group.

Being social and a part of the crowd is infinitely more reward than hiding and barking or cowering in fear. These simple techniques will help both you and your pet become the life of the party.