Shyness is the one trait that is proven to survive form puppihood to adulthood because it is a self rewarding behavior. everytime the dog survise an encounter by being fearful it reinforces the behavior. So Whit I trying to say is there is no total cure. What there is a life long process than can enable him to cope better.
see as your best resource
HELP FOR YOUR SHY DOG
and a fair review of the book
Depending on how trong his anxieties are he may also benifit from antianxiety medication see Seperation Anxiety for a post I wrote on a different board with links to various antianxiety medication. All require a perscription and a decision to use them should not be made lightly. The drugs themselves are not effective without behavior modification as well so I provide the follwing link to behaviorist that can also prescribe because they are vets
Find a Diplomat
One of the biggest mytrh you will hear when working with a shy/fearful dog is don't comfort the dog when it is fearful because you are reinforcing the fear. This is some of the worst advice possible made by those that do not understand the importance of emotional state plays in learning. You can't reinforce fear by conforting the dogs.
Can Fear be Rewarded?
Fearful Dogs:
Help For You & Your Dog
some other resources that may be helpful
CLICK TO CALM - HEALING THE AGGRESSIVE DOG
The approach hear is more for the "reactive dog" that is a dog that manifest its fear though aggressive acts. Not what you describe abe as being but considering bark buster approach I thought there might be some of that as well.
CONTROL UNLEASHED: CREATING A FOCUSED AND CONFIDENT DOG
More geared to the performance dog and stresses, anxiety and distractions that occur however much can be applied to shy dogs as well even without a performance bent.
CAUTIOUS CANINE - HOW TO HELP DOGS CONQUER THEIR FEARS, 2ND EDITION
A good treates on desentiziation and counter-conditioning just one of many techinques in dealing with why behavior. It is by no means comprehensive in its approach other than laying the basic groundwork on how to use desenitization and countercondition in a step by step approach.
Sorry I don't have some mavalious cure but all there is involves a lot a work and at best the make the situation better not perfect and require a life time of practicing because you stop the behavior will once again become worse overtime. Shyness is the one temperment in a puppy I would cation all potential owners to avoid.
see as your best resource
HELP FOR YOUR SHY DOG
and a fair review of the book
Depending on how trong his anxieties are he may also benifit from antianxiety medication see Seperation Anxiety for a post I wrote on a different board with links to various antianxiety medication. All require a perscription and a decision to use them should not be made lightly. The drugs themselves are not effective without behavior modification as well so I provide the follwing link to behaviorist that can also prescribe because they are vets
Find a Diplomat
One of the biggest mytrh you will hear when working with a shy/fearful dog is don't comfort the dog when it is fearful because you are reinforcing the fear. This is some of the worst advice possible made by those that do not understand the importance of emotional state plays in learning. You can't reinforce fear by conforting the dogs.
Can Fear be Rewarded?
The following web sites can be helpful as well
Fearful Dogs:
Help For You & Your Dog
some other resources that may be helpful
CLICK TO CALM - HEALING THE AGGRESSIVE DOG
The approach hear is more for the "reactive dog" that is a dog that manifest its fear though aggressive acts. Not what you describe abe as being but considering bark buster approach I thought there might be some of that as well.
CONTROL UNLEASHED: CREATING A FOCUSED AND CONFIDENT DOG
More geared to the performance dog and stresses, anxiety and distractions that occur however much can be applied to shy dogs as well even without a performance bent.
CAUTIOUS CANINE - HOW TO HELP DOGS CONQUER THEIR FEARS, 2ND EDITION
A good treates on desentiziation and counter-conditioning just one of many techinques in dealing with why behavior. It is by no means comprehensive in its approach other than laying the basic groundwork on how to use desenitization and countercondition in a step by step approach.
It depend entirely on the "other dog" IMHO a puppy or younger dog would be more impressionable and more likely to adopt the behaviors of an adult dog than a stable adult dog. Young dogs learn behaviors from observing other dogs. But, I also had an adult dog only show signs of thunderstorm phobia late in life after the dog he was living with stress became more acute. Were the two related is anyones guess but it is a valid concern.
Sorry I don't have some mavalious cure but all there is involves a lot a work and at best the make the situation better not perfect and require a life time of practicing because you stop the behavior will once again become worse overtime. Shyness is the one temperment in a puppy I would cation all potential owners to avoid.