Hello,
I have a shy 13 week old puppy. I was planning to start leash training w/him by going around the block. First time I did it, he did walk for awhile but looked very alert / concerned and after going by a house with a barking dog in the yard, I ended up carrying him. Second time, he kept immediately trying to go back up his walkway and into his house. I decided he was too afraid and carried him the entire way.
Seems like he's too afraid outside of the yard, so this morning I started inside the yard. I take him around the perimeter step by step and give him food for treats. We did it twice - first time he was doing great, then lost interest, so I took him off leash and let him play for a bit. Checked if he was hungry again and since he was, we walked again. This time, he stopped because he got concerned about loud traffic or something going on out front. I tried distracting him, but he was too distracted by the noise and I ended up letting him run back to the house, then we went inside.
Just wondering if anyone has experience training a shy dog? I don't want to accidentally encourage his shyness, but I don't think he can learn if he is too afraid. Am I doing the right thing by letting him go back in if he gets to afraid of the noises? I'm imagining that at some point he won't be so concerned with them.
I have a shy 13 week old puppy. I was planning to start leash training w/him by going around the block. First time I did it, he did walk for awhile but looked very alert / concerned and after going by a house with a barking dog in the yard, I ended up carrying him. Second time, he kept immediately trying to go back up his walkway and into his house. I decided he was too afraid and carried him the entire way.
Seems like he's too afraid outside of the yard, so this morning I started inside the yard. I take him around the perimeter step by step and give him food for treats. We did it twice - first time he was doing great, then lost interest, so I took him off leash and let him play for a bit. Checked if he was hungry again and since he was, we walked again. This time, he stopped because he got concerned about loud traffic or something going on out front. I tried distracting him, but he was too distracted by the noise and I ended up letting him run back to the house, then we went inside.
Just wondering if anyone has experience training a shy dog? I don't want to accidentally encourage his shyness, but I don't think he can learn if he is too afraid. Am I doing the right thing by letting him go back in if he gets to afraid of the noises? I'm imagining that at some point he won't be so concerned with them.