Shyness and 'Spooky' Behavior

[OntarioSheltie]

I know shyness in shelites is common but its still frustrating. I wanted Sadie to be as friendly and outgoing with strange people as she was with us. I made sure that she had plenty of exposure to people that she didn't know, I made sure that they approached her correctly and often gave people treats to give her. I exposed her to a lot of different situation because I wanted her to be bomb proof but despite this, she is still reserved and even shy with some people. A friend who she hadn't met came over the other night and Sadie would have nothing to do with her!

I think I've done all that I can with her and honestly, its not really that bad. I won't be overly upset if she's like this for the rest of her life since she's not terrified, mostly just reserved and NEVER aggressive. Not sure about the occasional nervousness of the occasional person, maybe this time it was the surprise of a complete stranger standing at our back door, I don't know. However if anyone can think of something that I haven't done to help her be better with people I'd appreciate the suggestions

Another thing that is kind of annoying and I'd like Sadie to get over is that she will also spook at the strangest things, mainly when the wind is blowing. She can handle large trucks/buses going by, motorcycles, loud power tools, air compressors fireworks, thunder and just about anything that makes a loud noise. But if we go on a walk and something blows in the wind (a carpet drying on a fence, ornamental grass, flowers, a tarp, etc.) she will jump and refuse to walk by it. I don't think I'm causing her anxiety by expecting her to react because I don't usually even realize she's afraid until she's freaked out. Trying to show her what she's afraid of doesn't help, even if I stick around and eventually coax her to sniff it she just spooks at something else wind related. If I ignore things shes spooking at and just keep walking and drag her along, if its wind related she'll fight me. If she's spooking at something else she'll just accept that its nothing to worry about and follow me.

It seems to be the sudden movement, if its a really windy day and everything is moving, she's fine. It honestly doesn't happen that frequently, its just annoying when it does.

Another thing she's weird about are parked cars. If its parked or parked and running she some times won't walk by it. Heaven for bit if the radio is on while its parked, that terrifies her for some reason. This morning there was a scary red van parked on the road, not even running, you would have thought it was possessed, she wouldn't walk by it. Another thing that scared her was a jeep, again not running but Sadie thought it looked VERY suspicious.

Any ideas about these quirks?

 

[JessicaR]

I know how frustrating it can be! you try and socialize and get them around everything, and they still have their quirks. Belle is the same way except in my case we had a couple of bad incidents in our socialization. she will be fine one minute then all of a sudden something will freak her out usually something thats blowing in the wind. she also hates the heater & a/c in my car. if I turn it on she starts to shake. other than that she loves car rides. Its a good thing I love shelties so much that I put up with their spazzy moments. hopefully my next sheltie will be more outgoing I dont mind that my shelties dont love strangers but it would be nice if belle could at least tolerate people petting her!

 

[pogopup]

Ontario, I feel your pain and understand what you're saying!

My pup is somewhat the same. He is very shy, but it seems that it's almost selective shyness. When we are in obedience, the trainer wanted to demonstrate "down" with him; when she took his leash..OMG! You would've thought that she was trying to throw him over a cliff! However, if we go to Petsmart, he'll let the staff handle him with no problems (even the first time he went). He's even polite at the vet's office.

But it just depends on his mood and, apparently the person, that wants to pet him at dog friendly stores. One minute he sits and tolerates it, the other time he's trying to get behind me and doesn't want to be touched.

I understand, and accept, that I have a shy dog. Pogo is a constant "work in progress". I am praying everyday to St. Francis that with obedience and CGC and agility (or flyball) that I can build his confidence and he won't be as shy.

I can tell we are making progress, he is starting to bark (more like gruff) and growl at the neighborhood kids who walk past the fence and whenever someone comes into the house (regular visitor or not ) I'm hoping that's a sign of confidence building rather than budding fear aggression?

 

[sheltiemom]

Scarlett is this way. She is a wonderful little gfirl, but very apprehansive around strangers. She hides and becomes invisible when someone she is not familiar with is around. She was a rescue that came to me originally and she was so overly protected she was afraid of everything and she hated my other shelties. The others would get near her and just hound her (as they originally do to all new comers)...she hated it. I then gave Scarlett to my son who only had one dog and more of Scarletts personality came out. She started playing and being less spooked. She still does not always like too many dogs around her which makes me think they know she is not happy being around them, so they try and push themselves to be near her. She has been socialized with people and other dogs most of her life...but she still prefers to be near you on her terms (she lives to have her belly rubbed and will park herself as close to the belly rubber as possible regardless of who it is) I think for some shelties they just prefer to be loners or the only ones since they do become bonded to their favorites. Rachie tolerated my hubby, but she was always glued to me. She liked company but was never outgoing to them. I have 3 shelties now who run to greet people and want to be their new best friends. I know how hard it can be...but it took my Kimmi 4+ years to allow hubby to be her friend. Each pupper I have had has always taken some time to warm up to a stranger.

 

[Josh and Jess]

But if we go on a walk and something blows in the wind (a carpet drying on a fence, ornamental grass, flowers, a tarp, etc.) she will jump and refuse to walk by it.

Josh and Jessie are the same! They can handle any noise except the sound of something blowing in the wind... for some reason it really terrifies them.

But that's pretty much the only thing they have in common, although they are siblings. While Josh is almost TOO outgoing (he wags his tail at every human and other animals including cats and he gets VERY excited about babies) Jessie is a lot more 'selective'.

Sometimes she will approach a person or other dog to say hello, other times she'll just stand there and not react to anything, even if they try to pet her. She will not shy way, she'll just ignore them altogether. You'll never know beforehand what her reaction will be...

 

[Esmiles04]

Ontario, I hear you. my first sheltie, my parent's sheltie is the same way. She's super shy. If a stranger approaches her while I am walking her, she does not want anything to do with that person. She just backs away and wants to keep on walking. She also tries to look tough by barking, but as soon as she is approached she backs away. She's only friendly with family members. She is soo sweet-natured too. I feel bad when people want to pet her. I tell them they can try, but that she probably won't let them because she is shy. Well, well all knew what we were getting ourselves into by getting shelties and I'd never trade Lisa or the puppy for anything in the world.

 

[BarbV]

I think all our Shelties have their quirky moments, some more than others. I don't have alot of trouble with Bacca except moving cars, but that's not terribly surprising.

Timber was more timid and I'm racking my brains trying to remember what I did to help him get over it.

I recall doing alot of sit/downs. If someone came to the door, I would put him in sit position to keep him calm and in control, then instruct the person to come up slowly, etc.. I did the same thing when we went out walking. If another dog started to approach, I would have him sit. Seemed to keep both dogs calm. Then I would let him up. If he started to shy away again. I would have him sit again and tell the other dog walker that we "couldn't play today". Eventually, he got over it (because of the training? who knows?) and whenever someone came up to him he would start wagging.

You might try the same with the blowing wind. Get him to sit or down to keep him grounded. I know it sounds easier said than done when they are in a frenzy but if you start getting some small successes, it could build

Hope this helps!