Very Shy Puppy

DukesMom31 · 03-12-2013, 09:07 AM

Hi Everyone We purchased a puppy this past Saturday and he was on the shy side but not overly shy and he reacted well to my kids. Since we have brought him home he has become even shyer. He is only playful when he is around my other two dogs and he doesn't seem scared of my kids but he is very reluctant to come to my husband and myself. He walks well on a leash when we go for walks but will not come when called. I plan on getting him into an obedience class asap but I worry that his fear will turn into aggression is this a valid fear? Any input will really help!

mandiah89 · 03-12-2013, 09:18 AM

how old is he?

DukesMom31 · 03-12-2013, 09:22 AM

13 Weeks

mandiah89 · 03-12-2013, 09:40 AM

Could just be fear stage, hopefully others will chime in.

jessac · 03-12-2013, 09:50 AM

He's only been with you a few days then? I would let him get used to his new surroundings before I labeled him as fearful or shy. My pup took a couple days to get used to us and our home before he came out of his shell. He was still a little shy, but only needed a little confidence building (through socialization). I would up the socialization (but make sure he's enjoying it, it might be socializing from a further distance at first) but also give him time to adjust. It's hard to say just based on what you said if he's just taking his time getting used to you, or if he is indeed fearful. Either way, with socialization, obedience, etc. you can definitely turn this around - he's so young!

Does he know "come?" They need to be taught to come before they will reliably and in just a few days, I doubt he has that mastered.

03-12-2013, 09:07 AM	#1 (permalink)
DukesMom31 New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Buffalo New York Posts: 2	Very Shy Puppy Hi Everyone We purchased a puppy this past Saturday and he was on the shy side but not overly shy and he reacted well to my kids. Since we have brought him home he has become even shyer. He is only playful when he is around my other two dogs and he doesn't seem scared of my kids but he is very reluctant to come to my husband and myself. He walks well on a leash when we go for walks but will not come when called. I plan on getting him into an obedience class asap but I worry that his fear will turn into aggression is this a valid fear? Any input will really help!

03-12-2013, 09:18 AM	#2 (permalink)
mandiah89 Master Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 931	how old is he? __________________ Penny - GSD - 11/11/2012 Diesel - GSD - 03/15/2010 - 11/05/2012

03-12-2013, 09:40 AM	#4 (permalink)
mandiah89 Master Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Nova Scotia, Canada Posts: 931	Could just be fear stage, hopefully others will chime in. __________________ Penny - GSD - 11/11/2012 Diesel - GSD - 03/15/2010 - 11/05/2012

03-12-2013, 09:22 AM	#3 (permalink)
DukesMom31 New Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Buffalo New York Posts: 2	13 Weeks

03-12-2013, 09:50 AM	#5 (permalink)
jessac Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 272	He's only been with you a few days then? I would let him get used to his new surroundings before I labeled him as fearful or shy. My pup took a couple days to get used to us and our home before he came out of his shell. He was still a little shy, but only needed a little confidence building (through socialization). I would up the socialization (but make sure he's enjoying it, it might be socializing from a further distance at first) but also give him time to adjust. It's hard to say just based on what you said if he's just taking his time getting used to you, or if he is indeed fearful. Either way, with socialization, obedience, etc. you can definitely turn this around - he's so young! Does he know "come?" They need to be taught to come before they will reliably and in just a few days, I doubt he has that mastered.

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