Don’t ever tell your dog it is OK when it’s not
Use toys and treats to get your dog’s mind off of what it is that may be causing him concern.
Give appropriate praise for appropriate behavior
CONSISTENCY AND PATIENCE
Take emotion, especially anger and disappointment, out of the equation
Reserve the favorite toy or treat only for stressful occasions
Make sure that “strangers” have treats, too
Use obedience commands to make your dog think rather than react
Proper tone of voice is important. Soft tones should only be used when having cuddle times
Keeping your tone normal is a sign of confidence
Teaching the “watch me” command will help with keeping your dog safe
When introducing new things, make sure to carefully plan, time, and supervise
Keep command clear, short, and with no sense of pleading
Puppy should be on leash when challenging situations arise
Backsliding is a perfectly normal experience
Tug of war games can be a confidence builder (make sure to teach the “out” command)
When at home, teach thinking games such as family, toys, objects, etc.
Don’t allow your puppy to cower and hide
Rather than using “It’s Ok,” use a simple phrase (“You are being so silly”) in a matter of fact tone to distract your dog from whatever it is that is making him fearful
“Let’s say hi” is a good phrase to teach your dog when meeting strangers. Make sure to have toys, treats, and praise handy for appropriate behavior
“Look” is a good phrase to teach. Use it in a confident tone when introducing objects and situations that may be potentially fearful
Reserve petting and touch for situations where the dog is being non-shy or non-fearful
