My dog (german shepherd female) isn't really a "shy" dog but I still want her to be a little more confident with people.

When new people walk into the house, she'll put on her mean bark but won't really stand her ground. She'll back up little by little, still barking, instead of holding them in place. She'd probably back up faster if they approach her (never tried ). She's great with people (and kids) otherwise.

With dogs, she'll bark like crazy (if leashed) but only because she wants to play with them. I've never seen her aggressive with other dogs before (I've never ever seen her snarl.. which I do want to see, ha!). I don't really mind that; it's the encounters with people that I'm focused on.

J/w if anyone has any advice to boost her confidence. The first few google links just talk about really shy dogs who cower at the sight of anything. She's about 8 months old right now, if that matters.

This is what I'm talking about:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSbFQq_dXm8

2/21/2009 1:53:37 PM

Sit him down in front of the TV and make him watch rin tin tin reruns...Im just kidding, i dont know

[Edited on February 21, 2009 at 2:10 PM. Reason : .]

2/21/2009 2:10:23 PM

i'm also interested in this. we have a boxer/lab mix and she is fine around other dogs but whenever anybody comes into our house, she goes and sulks in the corner, doesn't want to be petted or even talked to she'll just cower away. we got a second dog hoping if the second dog was friendly with people, she would pick up on it, but so far that hasn't really happened. i have no idea how to help her be ok with people

2/21/2009 2:49:05 PM

get her out and around as many people and dogs as you can to expose her to new sights, smells, and things.
That doesn't mean you have to let everybody touch her or every dog sniff her but you can take her to a park and sit at a distance and slowly work your way up to some mild interactions.

2/21/2009 3:43:27 PM

I used to have a german shepherd/golden retriever mix that was the same way. She was never assertive when people came in (while there were other people nearby). I thought she was a wimp until one night my dad was out on business and it was just me and mom in the house (I was 8 or 10 ish at the time) late one night sleeping and a car I didn't recognize pulled up into my driveway. I heard the door handle jiggle and she started barking like a mad dog and then I heard it open up slightly and I swear the growls and snarls and barks she let out scared even me and she was my dog.

Whoever was attempting to come into my house that night definitely thought twice.

I'd recommend just letting her be. You have to wait until you're in a situation where you need her to be protective to find out if she'll really step up and do it. Some dogs just aren't going to be guard dogs by nature. If yours is just yappy, then you're not going to change it without making changes to her whole personality you may not enjoy.

PS - my dog used to bite my parents for spanking me. She'd also bite my brother if we got into a fight. See what happens if some violence breaks out, that could be another indicator.

2/23/2009 1:51:12 PM

What would you rather her do? Leap at your visitor?

Be glad you have a dog that avoids jumping all over people that come over.

2/23/2009 2:56:51 PM

my german shepard mix did the same thing. she was really passive aggressive toward new people but then was all over them 5 minutes later.

2/23/2009 5:32:41 PM

< not an animal psychologist.

I would try this drill. Start out by going on a nice long walks (45min+) in a public place. Every now and then stop, give the sit command and allow people to slowly approach and pet the dog. If she's still a bit nervous you could let them give her a treat. That way she associates people in a public place with good stuff. I would try to block her view of other dogs durring this drill. But off leash at a dog park is a great time to socialize with other dogs. But make sure that's a seperate event. Try to keep the dog focused on YOU durring leash work. (you're telling the dog to sit and telling him it's okay for people to come up)

After you've done that a couple of times (and it'll take some time depending on the dog) Start this drill on a saturday or sunday afternoon. Give a friend or neighbor some treats and have them ring the doorbell or knock on the door. With the Dog ON THE LEASH walk to the door give her Sit followed by Stay. After she's sitting and calm (no barking) open the door, greet your friend for a second or two and then let them pet the dog and give the treat. If she breaks the sit or barks after the door is open your friend should immediatly walk back out the door. You might try a reminder command early on. If she gets scared and starts to pull away put her back in the sit and stay. I'd repeat it a lot early (10x and hour for a solid hour.... if you can get the correct responce that many times) and later maybe half that much. Eventually an occasional pizza man will be enough of a reinforcer.

This drill does a lot of good things. It teaches GREAT door manners. It pisses me off when dogs jump on me at the door. It also establishes your dominance in the house b/c your friend is greating YOU before the dog.

Keep in mind with this stuff that you're not gonna see a change over night. It's gonna take work and repetition. And the more often you do the training the faster the dog will get it.

I would recomend with all training sessions that you start with a good brisk walk for 30-45 min and warm up the dog's mind with some easy commands that she already knows. (sit, laydown, stay, rollover if she knows that one) That puts the dog in training mode so she's interested in whatever you're doing.

Your pup is 8months so now is a GREAT time to get those good habbits in. And when she gets older and ballsier she'll know what she's sposed to do. So all you'll have to do every now and again is remind her, vice train her.

2/23/2009 9:55:13 PM

Quote :

"What would you rather her do? Leap at your visitor? Be glad you have a dog that avoids jumping all over people that come over."

ain't that the truth.

2/23/2009 10:16:12 PM

fyi- German Shepards as a breed are restrained around other people they haven't seen you interact normally with.

When she sees you comfortable with someone, does she warm up too? If so you don't have any issues.

2/23/2009 11:02:50 PM

agility courses.

2/24/2009 1:54:59 AM

2/24/2009 3:14:48 AM

^^^yeah she'll be all over you if you play rough (aka dog lover). People who don't care for dogs will just keep walking and she generally is more reserved.

Quote :

"What would you rather her do? Leap at your visitor? Be glad you have a dog that avoids jumping all over people that come over"

depends on the visitor Oh she'll jump if she knows them, but thankfully she's really good about "NO"

Quote :

"I'd recommend just letting her be. You have to wait until you're in a situation where you need her to be protective to find out if she'll really step up and do it"

I hope so.

2/24/2009 9:17:31 AM