Shy dogs lack confidence and are often turned in to shelters because they are not much fun.
Shy dogs are those who cringe in the back of their kennel when someone tries to pet them. They are the dogs who submissively urinate, or tuck their tail and try to hide when approached. Occasionally, a shy dog, feeling cornered, will growl, snap or bite.
The root of shyness is a lack of confidence. Dogs who have been punished harshly lose self confidence or become afraid . Dogs who have been struck may become hand-shy, but not all shy dogs have been abused.
Some physical problems such as blindness and deafness, as well as chronic pain or chronic hunger can be frightening or confusing for the dog. If a veterinarian has established that the dog is healthy, the case may be that he has learned shyness if his mother was shy. In other cases, a dog who has never been properly socialized with people, other dogs, and environments will be shy. A dog who spends most of his time in the backyard away from people and stimulus will be unsure of himself in a different environment. During development, a puppy will go through "fear periods" at 8 to 11 weeks and again around 4 months, when he may be very cautious. Frightening experiences during these "fear periods" can stay with him the rest of his life, causing shyness.
Although dogs will have individual personalities, gentle patience and proper techniques can build confidence in the shy dog.
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