Some of you may remember ages ago I posted about my puppy hiding behind me at ringcraft. Well, although she's usually quite bold (now 10 months old) last week we had visitors. They adore dogs but the whole day she spent hiding behind me or running into the corner of the kitchen. She wouldn't even come out for a tit bit (offered by the visitors) most unusual for her as she'll do anything for food. I don't worry too much about this as its not a big problem but it worries me a bit that she might be frightened of people. I could understand it more when we're out, but not so much on her ownterritory. Any ideas as to why she is so worried or how I can persuade her to be her normal self. I bred her so she has been in the house since birth, she is also with her mum so I wonder if that makes her more timid as she always has someone around to 'protect' her.
Lorna

I have the exact same problem with my 10 month old cocker in the house shes very lively and loves attention but if someone comes in or when were walking she hides , when out on walks if someone passes she will throw herself as far away as the led will strech and wimper , shes the same with other dogs too ,not just people , i have taken her to homes with other dogs in to meet them shes fine inside with the dogs just not the owners ...
so if anyone has anymore ideas what to do with my pup please write back thanks XXXX

have you every taken her to a friends house and let her have a little bit of space
and see if she will come out of her shell a bit.seems like a child that will not leave the parent . If the poor sweetie came to my house she would have to have confidence or
fade away the constant flow of people and children .

What do you do when she exhibits this sort of behaviour?

Fran

My Cocker's always done that too. I can completely sympathize. I put her on a sit/stay while others go by. Visiting others, she stays on her leash until settled. Both practises have calmed her down over the years.
toodles

Hi Dudley,
I knew a Sheltie that had been deliberately overbred to be tiny (7 pounds). It was a newish fad in the Southwest to have "Miniature Shelties." Trust me, the owner was an ijiot & was convinced that shelties had been bred from Corgis & Yorkshire Terriers. Yeah, he also wanted a wolf hybrid someday that would "naturally recognize him as pack leader." Few fries short of a Happy Meal, if you know what I mean.

Anyway, this bitch was scared of her own shadow and would hide from everyone, including her own family. After about 3 months of visiting, she would come out to see me...because I had always ignored her when she emerged. Soon, her confidence grew & she would lie next to me & my dogs. But it was funny when her owner came home and tried to greet her...she'd vanish under the sofa again.

So have everyone ignore her for awhile and see what happens. Other than feeding her, just go about your day. She'll probably show up for company soon.

This household was loudly chaotic with a 2 year old toddler & a 5 year old boy. She was over a year old when I met her, so her shyness & timidness had been set long before this. So yours probably wouldn't take so long to see any type of result.

toodles