You are very limited where you can take Mike where there are other dogs that he can just see. When I was taking Cody to obedience classes the trainer told me to go into our town and just walk, there are ppl walking their dogs, well I guess the days I picked to do this were off days, no one was walking with their dogs. That is something you may want to try if you live where there is a town with stores. If a trainer told me to throw my dog in a ring, ignore, whats going on and it will work out, I would be out of that place faster then Jack Flash. You have a shy baby for what ever reason, you can't just toss that wee lil baby in with strange dogs, that experience could scar him forever. Walks with the neighbors dog is better then nothing. A behaviorist would be ideal if you can find one.

Most dogs eventually give in and accept their new pack mate, but not knowing how long it might take, little Jilly had no more weight she could safely lose. I feared she might start losing muscle as she’d gotten so thin, mostly only ate what I hand fed her during those ‘dark days’ ( for her). Teddy was such a sweet pup, she never seemed to mind Jilly’s ostracizing, just kept on being a fun-loving puppy, and she was getting so big, feared one day she might get sick of Jilly gnashing at her and challenge and/or attack Jilly once she was grown. Moot point as Jilly couldn’t have survived 2 more months the way she was going. Never saw a little dog detest having other dogs around as much as she! Figured she’d had such a rough life medically her first 2 - 3 years, it just kind of marked her and she wanted no more trying times so just wanted to live the finally comfortable, Jilly Rules life she’d at last attained, medicals mostly behind her

Alone with me, she was always her sweet, loving self, looking at me with those big trusting eyes, always leaning in for deep snuggles when you picked her up or she got next to you. I couldn’t let her life stay so unhappy

Another proof that nothing is one size fits all for dog, nor physically neither psychologically, and what works for one might not at all work for others..

This seems like a good idea, I might actually try sitting with Mike at a distance while others dogs playing (when any are around) and let him watch from afar at first.

Hummmm, I don't know if watching dogs jumping on each other or play chasing each other is a good idea, all that action Mike may take as aggression since he doesn't know what playing with other dogs is. It could upset him. Cause more fear of dogs. Do you have walking / biking trails near you, people take dogs on trail walks. Mike has to see calm dogs not crazy playing dogs.

We had a breakthrough yesterday with the neighbour's dog I mentioned before. I was so happy I almost cried lol. We went out and after about 30 min of more or less calm behaviour towards each other, we let them run free on a little meadow and they run after each other playing chase for quite a while. For the first time in MONTHS Mike didn't run to me for protection. He let the other dog sniff him without snapping and sniffed the other one a few times as well (although, he did it cautiously). At first when the other one chased him he was growling, but then after about 10 minutes his growls got quieter and less frequent. At the end both of them laid on the grass not far from each other. I really couldn't believe my eyes.

Will continue setting up meet ups with this dog and see how it goes. I gave him lots of treats last night after their little play :)

Joan, you were so right about just continuing with this dog and taking it slow. Thank you so much again!

I am soooooo happy for you my eyes teared up, see, all Mike needed was a one on one, another dog near his size and calm, nice calming walks to gain trust in the other dog.

Yes, keep it up, Mike will learn how much fun it is to run and play chase. Not all dogs get on well with many dogs in one area. Your goal is for Mike not to be scared when he sees other dogs. Everything is done in baby steps. Conquer this first step, it may take weeks just make sure Mike is 100 % comfortable with this one dog, then try the dog park and see how he reacts. The treats you should take with you and reward on the spot so he knows he is being rewarded for good behavior, and treat the other dog with the owners permission, you don't want a dog fight over a treat. Dogs must be rewarded on the spot. Giving treats when you get home Mike will not associate that with his good behavior.

Yes! I do bring treats with me and always treat him the spot. It was one of the most vital piece of information for training I read when he was a puppy. made most of the training much easier. I used to have some treats in the bathroom after we moved the pad so he would get an INSTANT reward.

At first couple of meetings with this dog I had to lure Mike to him with a treat and treat them both when they are almost nose to nose (with owner's permission) otherwise he didn't want to take a step forward lol

That’s so awesome!

Yay!! Good job Mike!!!

Good job, if Mike is food motivated makes training so much easier.

Cody is very food motivated, it was easy and fast to teach him all commands and a few tricks and he was 2 1/2 years old. Keep up the good work.