Helping fearful, timid, and overwhelmed dogs build confidence, trust, and emotional stability.

Some dogs move through the world with uncertainty. They freeze at sudden noises, shy away from new people, avoid unfamiliar environments, or become overwhelmed by everyday experiences. They may tremble on walks, hide behind their owners, bark defensively, or simply shut down when life feels too big. These aren’t “stubborn” or “difficult” dogs, they’re shy, sensitive souls who need time, structure, patience, and the right kind of guidance to feel safe.

The Shy Dog Program was created specifically for these dogs: those struggling with fear, nervousness, timidness, startle responses, or fear-based reactivity. This program is designed to help them slowly unwind, decompress, and rebuild confidence through controlled exposure, gentle socialization, and structured obedience work, all at a pace they can emotionally handle.

Because true confidence-building cannot be rushed, this program is offered exclusively as a 12-week board and train. Your dog lives with us in our home and receives daily support, structure, and gradual exposure to the world in a way that feels safe rather than overwhelming.

We begin with calm, predictable routines and basic handling. As your dog gains trust and stability, we introduce controlled outings to parks, stores, sidewalks, and public environments. They learn that new people, new sounds, new movements, and new experiences aren’t threats, they’re opportunities. Every victory, no matter how small, is celebrated and reinforced.

** What Your Shy Dog Will Learn **

Training focuses on confidence-building, emotional regulation, gentle exposure, and foundational obedience to help shy dogs feel safer and more in control.

Skills include:
Name Recognition
Look / Focus Games to build engagement
Sit
Down
Stay
Come (recall)
Place (a safe, predictable resting spot)
Load Up (car or crate entry)
Leave It
Drop It
Settle (relaxation work)
Wait
Polite Leash Manners
Quiet Command for dogs who vocalize from anxiety

These obedience behaviors give fearful dogs the structure and predictability they crave, helping them navigate the world with more confidence and less stress.

*** How This Program Helps Shy & Fearful Dogs ***

The Shy Dog Program will focus on...

✔ Gentle real-world exposure
Your dog experiences calm, structured outings to parks, hardware stores, pet stores, neighborhoods, and quiet public spaces.

✔ Controlled socialization
We slowly and carefully introduce your dog to new people, environments, and experiences—never rushing or overwhelming them.

✔ Emotional support & decompression
Shy dogs need time to reset. Our home environment provides safety, routine, and predictability.

✔ Confidence-building games
We reinforce curiosity, bravery, and small moments of success through tailored exercises.

✔ Teaching calm behavior
With structure and obedience, shy dogs learn to regulate themselves in situations that previously felt overwhelming.

✔ Owner education
We teach you how to support your dog at home so their confidence continues growing long after graduation.

**** Who the Shy Dog Program Is Perfect For ****

This program is ideal for dogs who:

• Are fearful of strangers or new people
• Startle easily at noises or movement
• Avoid social interactions or hide behind their owners
• Shut down in new environments
• Tremble, freeze, or panic during everyday outings
• Struggle with fear-based reactivity (barking out of fear, not aggression)
• Need slow, patient handling and consistent routines

This program is not for dogs with true aggression, intent to harm, or biting driven by dominance or control.
Dogs with aggression are better suited for our Serenity Stay Program.

***** Program Experience for Ownersc *****

Families receive:
Daily or near-daily photos and videos to watch progress unfold
Weekly personal update calls from your trainer
A halfway-point lesson, followed by biweekly owner lessons
Unlimited follow-up support to ensure progress continues smoothly at home

You will always know what your dog is working on, how they’re improving, and how to support them when they come home.

***** A Program Built for the Quietest Dogs with the Biggest Hearts *****

Shy dogs don’t need firmness, they need clarity, patience, exposure, and structure.
The Shy Dog Program gives them exactly that.

With the right support, even the quietest, most uncertain dogs can learn to trust the world, and themselves.