Sometimes I think -- even with children - a lot of coddling, cuddling, babying, etc., reinforces being timid, afraid, and shy. So - this doesn't just happen with dogs...
Of course - this doesn't mean you want your dogs or children to be frightened - and you do need to do something.
My shy dog - got the works - and he's much much better now. I didn't hold him and baby him. Whenever he behaved this way - I did just the opposite. I didn't say, "Oh you poor little thing - you're okay." I distracted him and got him up and out and doing something else. What I tried to do was get his mind off himself and being afraid and on to other things. I am sure this helped limit his fearful experiences and over time they became less an issue with him. Over time, he learned that he was going to be okay wherever we went....because he always was okay......
And - because he was shy - we went out a lot more. I took him with me whenever I could. I exposed him to more people and other dogs all that I could. If he got frightened - I didn't baby him or "talk to him about it." We often just went off to look at something else. And - I made him feel that we were going to do something else because I wanted to -- not for any other reason.
Anyway - he's 5 years old now - and people can't believe how outgoing and friendly he has become. He really was a very fearful pup and he has really made a turn around.
So - I do agree with Caesar. Don't baby your dogs - it will reinforce their fears. Turn their fear experiences quickly into something else... move on to a more secure activity - and as soon as they are over their fear and having fun --this is the time to reward their behavior.
Good luck! Carol Jean |