Let the Dog Choose

Forcing a scared dog to interact backfires every time. So flip it: make approaching you the dog's idea. Sit on the floor and scatter treats around yourself. Do not stare at the dog, and do not reach toward it.

Here is why letting the dog choose matters so much. A dog that chooses to approach you is practicing courage and learning it has some control. A dog dragged into contact is practicing the opposite: it learns that struggling is pointless.