Instructions
Isolate the dog. Dogs are social, but if a dog is timid, it can take some time before he is ready to be around other people or other pets. If you are adopting a timid dog, it might be a good idea to isolate him in a room for the first few days. This will give him a limited environment that he can get comfortable with.
Give the dog some time. For the first few days that a timid dog is in your home, you should not ask anything of him. It is too soon to start introducing him to other family members or other pets; instead give him time to get comfortable with his surroundings. It might take a few days or even a few weeks before he is ready for introductions.
Look over the dog's shoulder. When you are interacting with your dog, do not make eye contact unless he is very relaxed. Eye contact is a dominance display and it can make a nervous dog much more timid. If you do make eye contact, take pains to blink a great deal.
Spend time with your dog. Many timid dogs have triggers that can set off cowering or fearful behaviors. Some dogs hate loud noises, while the presence of certain objects will scare other dogs. Spending time with your dog and learning what is going to trigger a bout of nervous behavior is essential.
Ignore submissive behavior. One issue that many timid dogs have is submissive urination. Though this habit can be irritating, getting angry about it is only going to make your dog more anxious. Remember that submissive urination does not mean that your dog has poor bladder control or that he needs to be taken outside; it is a submissive display that is meant to appease you.
Reward your dog for positive behavior. If your dog is friendly and exploratory, reward him by giving him praise and perhaps a treat. Many people find that clicker training is something that works well with timid dogs because it gives them positive reinforcement that will not interrupt what they are doing.
Establish a routine. Many dogs are timid because they do not know what to expect. A dog who knows what his routine is, and what is going to happen during the day is going to be one who feels much more confident.
Be patient. Remember that your dog is not going to get over his timid behavior overnight. Some dogs can improve greatly over a few months, while other dogs take years.
How to Cure a Dog of Timid Behavior
Timid dogs may have come from abusive homes where they were given mixed signals as to how to behave and thus do not know what to do in a given situation, or they might simply be very shy dogs who were never well socialized. Timidity in dogs does need to be dealt with because it can lead to a situation where a dog feels threatened and may bite, but with time and effort, timidity in a dog can be overcome.