Shy dogs

Looking some advice from you lads again. A friend of mine has a very well bred dog but the problem is he had been shut away for 7mths as a youngster before he bought him and spooks at life outside his yard,traffic,people,trees blowing in the wind,its made him unpredictable with strangers,any advice at all to bring this great little dog around,it wouldn't be fair to bring him out for work when the occasion alone would be a problem to him. Would be a shame to just give up on him,his sister was raised elsewhere and is the complete opposite.

Spend time with him. Take him for walks for short periods and try to expose him to different things. It takes time

Every bulldog I have owned has been anywhere from a little shy to very shy or just skittish and scared of different things ranging from a man hole cover in the side walk to a weird shaped trash can lol etc. Mine have always been very loving and outgoing to everyone they knew ,but just very skeptical and/or shy of everyone else. With tons of patience and socialization they all came around and became well adjusted individuals.... well adjusted for crazy ass bulldogs that is lol.

For how long has he tried? Took a dog of his yard for the first time 2,5 years and brought him to the city. He didnt dare to walk 1 step outside. 3 weeks later all was good. Takes some time and patience. It helps when u walk another dog together.

Thanks for that nut,he took another dog with him today and he followed out not too bad,still spooked but little more confident. Think the dog needs more one to one. The dog is still very cautious of strangers so much so he can't be trusted. Going to be a long process I think.

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Originally Posted by Westcountry Worzel

Thanks for that nut,he took another dog with him today and he followed out not too bad,still spooked but little more confident. Think the dog needs more one to one. The dog is still very cautious of strangers so much so he can't be trusted. Going to be a long process I think.

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Yes, walking with another confident dog should help him. It is all new to him and he will see how the other dog ignores traffic and such.

And to get him more used to people, I would get some pieces of cooked chicken or sliced lunch meat and get some strangers (maybe your friends that the dog does not know) to feed him small pieces so he associates new people with good things and special treats. Keep the meetings with new folks sweet and short at first and see how he does.

As others have said it will take time but he should come around. Many dogs are shy when taken off their home yard but most will come around. Shyness can be genetic and also be influenced by early rearing.