Caro
Moderator
Honestly, I wouldn't worry too much about being scared to begin with. Tully was a timid little thing but became a therapy dog, loves attention and is friends with everyone - but she still has that sweet gentle, albeit high drive, nature (as long as you aren't a pigeon or roo or bunny, or a mouse).
Socialisation actually isn't about meeting as many people and dogs as you can, it's about exposing them to new things and experiences. Most breeders won't take the puppies out and about (risk of parvo) but will focus on stimulation and confidence building exercises. My boy Deska was hand reared and was at a trucking company during the day - he was uber out-going but also extremely sound sensitive.
It sounds like you are trying to take things too fast for her. Before you take the puppy into a store stand outside and let the pup watch what is going on. Let her see the activity, after all sheepdogs are observers - they watch the flock and what's going on around, unlike gundogs, for example, that race into a place without thinking. And some sheepdogs are just more observational than others, that's exactly what my Tully was like. I had a bad trainer who made all these awful suggestions to change her and shut her down, lucky I didn't damage her forever. Eventually, I learnt to watch Tully and do things her way. Sounds like you've got a sensitive girl like Tully, and possibly just as smart.
I tend to spend more time outside places with puppies than inside - schools, shops, car parks. Let her see and hear everything that is going on. Take a toy and play outside these places, and when she's confident to go into a store just go in, have a play and leave. Oh and if you can find a good, gentle puppy school that may help (prob avoid ones with lots of big boisterous dogs).
As for you visiting friends - you'll have to tell them to let her be. Many pups aren't interested, one pat and then let her just be a puppy. If they want to do something get on the floor with her and engage her in play, maybe with a squeaky toy. Most puppies are more interested with playing than having lots of treats.
Socialisation actually isn't about meeting as many people and dogs as you can, it's about exposing them to new things and experiences. Most breeders won't take the puppies out and about (risk of parvo) but will focus on stimulation and confidence building exercises. My boy Deska was hand reared and was at a trucking company during the day - he was uber out-going but also extremely sound sensitive.
It sounds like you are trying to take things too fast for her. Before you take the puppy into a store stand outside and let the pup watch what is going on. Let her see the activity, after all sheepdogs are observers - they watch the flock and what's going on around, unlike gundogs, for example, that race into a place without thinking. And some sheepdogs are just more observational than others, that's exactly what my Tully was like. I had a bad trainer who made all these awful suggestions to change her and shut her down, lucky I didn't damage her forever. Eventually, I learnt to watch Tully and do things her way. Sounds like you've got a sensitive girl like Tully, and possibly just as smart.
I tend to spend more time outside places with puppies than inside - schools, shops, car parks. Let her see and hear everything that is going on. Take a toy and play outside these places, and when she's confident to go into a store just go in, have a play and leave. Oh and if you can find a good, gentle puppy school that may help (prob avoid ones with lots of big boisterous dogs).
As for you visiting friends - you'll have to tell them to let her be. Many pups aren't interested, one pat and then let her just be a puppy. If they want to do something get on the floor with her and engage her in play, maybe with a squeaky toy. Most puppies are more interested with playing than having lots of treats.
