My 2 yr old male boston is supper shy. When we are walking and someone wants to pet him he scoots away. Luckily there has been no aggression, but he is just so timid around other people and other dogs. This is the one area that he seems to go against the breed. It seems that most BTs are very people oriented. Any suggestions to help build his confidence and get over is fear of people and other dogs?

You could try having some friends pass you by on a walk. As they approach, you could have them toss him a treat. Then, once he does well with that, you can have them bend down and give him the treat out of their hand. Then, treat and pets. Hopefully, that could be the first step of building a positive association with people. Is he afraid to greet other dogs or pass by other dogs on walks? You could do the same thing with that. Have a person with a dog pass by and drop a treat. Then, he might be able to greet new dogs on walks from there. Eventually, maybe you can have him work on socializing with one dog at a time...greet at first, then play, etc.

My BT is the same way. The only people he is loving to is my husband, myself and my sister and her husband b/c they keep him sometimes. Everyone else he is very skittish to or he hides in his kennel. It takes a while for him to come up to you, sniff you, and maybe give you kisses. I wish he were a little more social.

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Juan Pablo

SoCal is correct. that is the normal "Shy Dog" fix training. Also, once you have completed that part of the training, a group basic training course is always good and dog "play dates" with dogs his size or smaller is a good transition to complete desensitization and normality! Its all about getting him comfortable, by graduate exposure and pleasant reinforcements.

I agree with SoCalBoston also...

I would also suggest when you meet people on walks, ask them to completely ignore him. No talking or eye contact. Just calmly carry on their conversation with you. You might even had them a treat and ask them to nonchalantly drop the treat to him, still not looking or talking to him.

If he seems ok, they could squat down, still not looking or talking, and if he feels comfortable he can sniff the person without feeling threatened or overwhelmed... Ask them not to pet him, just squat...

Hopefully over time he'll feel more comfortable around strangers...

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Adopt Fruit Loops! Visit: http://fruitloopstheboston.blogspot.com/ for more info...

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Have you tried extra delicious treats? When we were socializing Wednesday I would chop up turkey hot dogs in small pieces and microwave them on high to make the chewy... The treat has to be more appealing than what scares them... Try a few special treats, and use them ONLY for this purpose! That way, meeting strangers will be extra special!

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Adopt Fruit Loops! Visit: http://fruitloopstheboston.blogspot.com/ for more info...

I agree with the high value treats. My dog is super treat motivated which makes training easier but he goes bananas for things like chicken or bacon...and I'm sure hot dogs would be a huge hit as well!