Adopting a shy or fearful dog is a rewarding journey that requires patience, understanding, and consistency. These dogs may have had limited socialisation or past traumas, making them more sensitive to new environments and experiences. Here’s how you can help your new companion feel safe and loved.
Preparing Your Home
- Safe Space: Set up a quiet area with a comfortable bed, toys, and water. This space allows your dog to retreat when feeling overwhelmed.
- Secure Environment: Ensure your yard and home are escape-proof. Check for gaps in fences and secure gates.
- Calming Atmosphere: Consider using a pheromone diffuser or playing soft classical music to create a soothing environment.
Bringing Your Dog Home
- Calm Arrival: Keep the car ride quiet and calm. Upon arrival, leash your dog before opening the car door to prevent sudden escapes.
- Gentle Introduction: Walk your dog around the home on a leash, allowing them to explore at their own pace. Show them their safe space and other accessible areas. If they’re very overwhelmed by the new environment, limit them to a number of key areas to start slow.
Establishing Trust
- Respect Boundaries: Avoid forcing interactions. Let your dog approach you when they’re ready.
- Positive Reinforcement: Reward calm behaviour with treats and praise. This helps build confidence and trust.
- Be consistent: Establish a general schedule for feeding, walks, and playtime to provide structure, be consistent in your interactions whilst avoiding sticking to specific times.
Managing Behaviour
- Avoid Punishment: Do not scold or punish fearful behaviours. Instead, redirect attention to positive activities, and give space where necessary.
- Encourage Exploration: Use food puzzles and toys to engage your dog’s mind and prevent boredom.
- Limit Stressors: Minimise loud noises and sudden movements. Gradually introduce new experiences at a comfortable pace.
Socialisation and Visitors
- Gradual Exposure: Introduce new people and environments slowly. Monitor your dog’s comfort level and proceed at their pace.
- Manage Visitors: Keep initial interactions with guests brief and positive. Allow your dog to retreat to their safe space if needed. Manage these interactions on lead in the home if necessary.
Basic Rules
When you bring the dog home, it’s important to follow some basic rules AND ensure everyone who lives or visits your home follows the same rules.
- Give the dog space. Don’t hover over or crowd around the dog and make sure they have room to move away if they need to.
- Avoid forced interactions with the dog and respect the dogs body language. Signs like backing away, freezing, growling, or raised hackles mean the dog is stressed. Stop and give them space.
- Let the dog approach you for interactions when they’re ready to establish trust.
- Be pro-active by giving the dog food puzzles, treats and toys to help prevent destructive behaviour.
- Regularly encourage the dog to go outside to go to the toilet.
- If you see undesirable behaviour like barking, DO NOT PUNISH. Instead, ignore it or re-direct the behaviour onto something you want, like going outside to the toilet or playing with a toy. Behaviours that aren’t reinforced will generally go away in time.
- It’s important to look for desirable behaviour and reinforce that (e.g. Your dog is interacting with you or a visitor in a positive way). This can be done by simply smiling and saying “good dog” or by throwing a treat on the floor for the dog.
Remember, building a bond with a shy dog takes time. Celebrate small victories and be patient with setbacks. With your support, your shy dog can blossom into a confident and loving companion.
