How to help my shy dog make friends?

If your dog seems scared often, refuses to go outside, won’t explore or play, there might be a few tips to help your shy dog make friends!

Observing a park full of dogs could be a lot like watching kids in a classroom. There are the outgoing ones: the kids who love being front and center, then there are the shyer ones who prefer watching and observing. The same goes for dogs! And there’s nothing wrong with that—shy dogs actually tend to be super sweet, gentle, and very loyal. 

But if your dog’s shyness stops them from doing things comfortably, then that might be worth addressing. If your dog seems scared often, refuses to go outside, won’t explore or play, there might be a few tips to help your shy dog make friends! 

• Let them observe

Don’t force your shy dog into a social situation right away. You can start by letting your dog observe from a distance where they can feel safe and calm. If you take your dog to the Paw Park, you can start by sitting with them and watching the other dogs play first! 

• Use treats to reward socializing 

You can offer your dog a treat if they try moving closer to another dog or even when they look calmly at another pet. This has been found to be pretty effective training! 

• Practice with a friend 

Some recommend this tactic as a confidence builder. First, ask your friend to ignore your dog (no eye contact or reaching) then have them gently toss a treat near your pet. Once a dog learns to approach the treat on their own, that could help a ton with their confidence! 

• Know your dog’s limits 

Short effective socializing sessions are way more helpful than long stressful ones. Once you see your dog signal that it’s too much (ex. tucking their tail, trying to hide or escape), let them rest. 

• Consider a trainer 

A trainer can also help boost your pet’s confidence! We would suggest joining your dog’s training sessions too so you can learn how to reinforce the same behavior on your own time. 

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