I just got an eight week old puppy, I've had him for a week now and I noticed that hes timid around new people, but hes great with me and my wife. The weird part is that hes not scared of loud noises, ie street sweeper, pots and pans hitting the floor, hair dryer etc. He does love chasing after his ball and other toys.
My question is would he make a good schutzhund dog or would he be better at SAR? What can I do to get him over his shyness? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you!!
Timid puppy
- kamil959
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- Marjolein
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Re: Timid puppy
give the little one some time! He's only a little baby, if every new thing is a calm positive experience, he will react much better to it next time :dswink" You did not like all the new things you saw as a child right away, did you?
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Sugars Mom
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- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
Re: Timid puppy
If you tell people to ignore him, he will feel more comfortable going up to them. Trouble it, with a puppy, its pretty much impossible. They are like a magnet they are so darn cute and people can't help wanting to pet them.
Sue (and Sugar)

- Dutchringgirl
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Re: Timid puppy
the poor little guy is only 8 week, the other day sadie (7months) was afraid of a loose carpet fiber. He will learn what life is in time.
Lisa, Thalie CGC & Sadie, Cookie the Basset, CT




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leih merigian
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Re: Timid puppy
When you start taking him out into the world, if he's interested in investigating someone, have that person give him a treat (quietly).
Whatever you do, do NOT tell him, "it's OK," or anything else that would justify his concern. You can greet people yourself, ignoring him and having them ignore him, too. You can play with him in the vicinity of something that concerns him. Reward him for any interest in others, but don't force him to greet anyone he doesn't want to greet.
As far as his future, who knows? He's just a baby...
Whatever you do, do NOT tell him, "it's OK," or anything else that would justify his concern. You can greet people yourself, ignoring him and having them ignore him, too. You can play with him in the vicinity of something that concerns him. Reward him for any interest in others, but don't force him to greet anyone he doesn't want to greet.
As far as his future, who knows? He's just a baby...
leih merigian
Vrijheid's H'Geyser
Zodiac vom Younghaus (over the bridge)
Central VA (near Charlottesville)
It's never too late to have a happy childhood...
Vrijheid's H'Geyser
Zodiac vom Younghaus (over the bridge)
Central VA (near Charlottesville)
It's never too late to have a happy childhood...
- vneerland
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Re: Timid puppy
Judith Van Neerland Dutch Shepherds 
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tedge007
- Puppy
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- Tell us about yourself: I am from Long Island NY. I Currently have two dogs, a 6 year old Female Doberman and a 10 week old female Dutch Shepherd. My dutch is a mix of Van Leeuwen and LeDobry bloodlines. She is a pistol putting it lightly, she is actually "slightly flammable" and has been since we got her at 8 weeks old. She already shows tons of prey drive, Active Aggression and Social Aggression. Never have I had a pup with nearly as much spirit as her she is going to be a very serious dog.
Re: Timid puppy
Just keep on socializing him and that means taking him everywhere with you to as many different places as possible. This doesnt mean to have people petting him, rather have him always focusing on you and learn that people are of no consequence. Eventually he will see that strangers are a normal part of life and nothing to be scared of.
- Tom Edge -
- kamil959
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Re: Timid puppy
Thank you guys for posting your thoughts. Its been a couple of weeks now and there is a significant improvement. Initially he would bark at everyone but now its the rare person and now he will actually come up to people. His tail isnt wagging but its not tucked underneath either. I'm happy with the progress.
Anyways I found some really good videos discussing fear stages in young puppies. I'll post the links just in case anyone else has similar issues now or later..
part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOuwZcqn ... re=related
part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjywxm- ... re=related
part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjWBnJ69 ... re=related
Anyways I found some really good videos discussing fear stages in young puppies. I'll post the links just in case anyone else has similar issues now or later..
part 1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hOuwZcqn ... re=related
part 2
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3kjywxm- ... re=related
part 3
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjWBnJ69 ... re=related
ARES
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Sugars Mom
- Working Dog
- Posts: 1734
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2011 12:16 am
- Tell us about yourself: I adopted a Dutch Shepherd mix (without knowing what she was) from the SPCA here in Victoria BC and am now trying to learn everything I can about this breed. My husband and I work from home most of the time so I thought it was time to get a puppy! We have his 2 boys here half the time and we wanted a nice family dog.
Sugar looks like a miniature Dutch Shepherd with floppy ears, and has every ounce of DS traits in her little body!
I hope to learn from other DS owners and share doggy experiences. - Location: Victoria BC
- Marjolein
- Working Dog
- Posts: 2078
- Joined: Sun Jul 11, 2010 7:17 pm
- Tell us about yourself: I'm a Dutchie myself ;-) but live in Germany with Johan and my two DS's Cobber-Dingo and Knivil (Dingo and Ivil to friends...)
- Location: Warbeyen, Germany
- Contact:
Re: Timid puppy
Don't worry, it's not your faultSugars Mom wrote:Hey, I see your from London Ont...that's where I grew up!


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