Here, find seven ways to bond with a shy dog and learn more about how to give your dog the attention he wants.
Here is some general advice on building trust with your rescue dog from my personal experience.
Exercises to Build Trust With Your Dog
The key to gaining the trust of an aggressive dog lies in practicing patience and consistency. Move slowly at all times and present yourself as a non-threat. Offer treats and positive reinforcement as often as you can. Watch for warning signs, such as growling, and remember to protect yourself if needed.
Allow the dog to approach people on his own, rather than forcing him to tolerate someone. Give the dog a routine; structure helps a dog feel more comfortable. For instance, have a set schedule for hand-feeding his meals, giving him walks, sitting with him to toss treats, handling and petting him (when he is ready).
To gain the trust of an abused dog, make sure it sees you coming before you try to pet it. Then, pet it gently under its chin with your palm facing up. You should also take it for walks twice a day to help the dog get used to you.
Helping to teach the dog in question that they can trust you is important for that dog's emotional safety as well as for your own physical safety.Exercises to Build Trust With Your Dog
Here are six games you can play with your shy pup to help him overcome shyness and keep him mentally stimulated.
Worried dogs have a hard time enjoying life. To break the worry cycle, teach your dog to play games such as “Fetch” or “Hide-and-Seek.” Your dog will relax and simply be a dog for a while. If she has a dog friend, include him or her in the fun. Schedule at least three play sessions each day.
Training your dog to play shy starts with a simple 'sit' command. If your dog knows this, playing shy is not going to be difficult at all. You will be teaching your dog essentially to take his paw, cover his eyes, and rub the side of his snout. To do this, you need to give him a reason to rub his nose.
6 Signs Your Dog Trusts You With His Life
7 Ways to Bond with a Shy Dog
Pack walks are a great tool in learning how to socialize a shy dog. Watch your pup carefully and pay attention to the distance they need between them and another dog to remain calm. Go on walks with other people or walking groups, but keep far enough away from others for your dog to stay relaxed.
This dynamic breed, on top of everything else, is also very sensitive to the wrath of their owner. If you're too tough in their puppy years, there's a large chance they'll develop a shy and timid personality as adults. Training a Weimaraner is a difficult and at times frustrating task.