My Sheltie Lacks Confidence - Big time!

[Hanne]

If you have a few good friends that both you and Sansa have confidence in, and they have cared for her before with no problems
-then I would personally choose the solution, because I would see no reason to Sansa had to enter into a hierarchy when she are only there for a period.

Next time she will come back she need to come into a hierarchy again.

I will probably find a few dog friends she is happy to and let her have a little more confidence by playing with them.

It is not unusual that when dogs get a little older so they are not as contact seeking more
I would also avoid that she have to greet dogs she does not want to and she only greet, because she will be a sweet dog, a Sheltie rather submits to than fight

As you know, my English is not good, so I may have misunderstood your post

 

[Matsuki]

Hanne - Yeah, I usually use one friend in particular since she is home more than most and enjoys taking her on walks. (I have a feeling sometime soon she'll be adopting a sheltie of her own)

Sansa's only about 1 and a half years old but more importantly, not being pushed into greeting....she walks up to greet newcomers at the park without any encouragement. She has never barked or been aggressive with any person or other dog so I never interfere....but it's nearly the same thing every time, interested until the other dog sniffs back....then she starts backing up, and stays clear of them until she can sneak in for another sniff or slowly approach again for another round. Interested but still timid?

Anyhow, what I'm asking is if spending a week with the pack pictured above might improve her sociability and timidness. Seeing how they're well behaved and the woman knows sheltie's well enough that she'd be in good hands.

 

[Hanne]

Matsuki - Personally, I would not take her there and not at all without you are with her all the time.

She comes in a new pack and must find her place and it is probably at the bottom of the pack.

1½ years so she can be in a period of uncertainty - whether puppy or adult.

As adults, we do not hug everyone we meet, no, we greets friendly and immediately we move on

I know you can read her - Give her time.