Managing the Shy Dog

For nervous dogs, "say hi" means something different. It is permission to approach, not a command to approach. Present the cue, and if the dog chooses not to go, respect that decision. Never drag a shy dog toward a person.

Over time, as positive greetings accumulate, the nervous dog starts accepting the invitation more often. Each successful greeting where nothing bad happened deposits trust. The command becomes a bridge between fear and genuine social confidence.