The Cautious Canine is a great book! I highly recommend pretty much everything Patricia McConnell has written!

It sounds like Smokey has some genetic issues. Timid temperments can be genetically based. My Franklin is genetically shy. His mother was shy and Franklin has been shy since the moment he was born. Franklin has the additional burden of spending his first year in a lousy home too. Fortunately, Smokey doesn't have abuse issues to overcome on top of being timid. Genetic shyness can be modified and reduced, but the dog is not likely to ever become an extremely outgoing dog. Franklin will never come for a walk in town with me. That would terrify him, but we've reached a point where he likes to come along for the truck ride. He just stays in the truck while I run errands.

Overcoming shyness is a long, slow process. I have found that the most important thing is to not reinforce the fears and the behaviors. It's very difficult not to coddle a shy dog. You love your dog and your first instinct will be to cuddle him and try to provide reassurance when he is scared. I believe that all that does is teach the dog that being scared gets him good things--cuddles with his person. Instead, when Franklin or one of my other shy boys acts scared, I make a point of acting perfectly calm and confident. It takes a while but eventually the dog learns to follow my example. Pacer for example, often looks back at me when we encounter something new on the trail. I tell him it's ok, ect. Even if I am terrified (like crossing overflow on the sled), I never let Pacer see that. The next time he runs into the same situation, he's much braver. "oh, I've already done this!"

Praise Smokey like crazy when he does act brave. Give him his favorite toy, treat, scritching ect. I act like I'm right nuts somedays when one of the shy ones does something new. Delta thinks he's the smartest dog ever every time he walks through the door on his own. (Delta is terrified of doors and being indoors) The first time Franklin got on the couch, my husband slept out there. He couldn't disturb Franklin while he was being brave!

If you can find something Smokey truly excels at and loves to do, it might help. Most of my shy boys loose their inhibitions at the sight of their harnesses. They live to pull and no way are they being left behind. I refuse to chase a dog to put them in harness. If they want to come that day, they have to come into the small pen and let me handle them to get them ready to go. If they don't do that, they don't get to come along! Maybe Smokey would excel at agility or obedience or flyball...there's no end to things a dog can be great at. Confidence gained in one situation can be transfered to others.


Does Smokey have a really brave doggy buddy? Franklin and Preacher came as a package deal. Franklin isn't so depedant anymore, but when we first got him, Preacher had to be in direct sight at all times. Preacher is very calm and confident. He checks things out and Franklin follows his lead.

Good Luck! It's a long process, but it's possible to see great changes! It's fun to watch them come out of their shells too!