How to socialize a high anxiety dog?

So, with anxious dogs, quality of experience is even more important than quantity. No dog will learn to be comfortable with something by being thrown in at the deep end. They need to learn slowly and safely that the things that worry them are not so scary after all. DO plan, you will be more successful if you plan carefully in advance, write down all the things that your dog is concerned about, be specific. Distance is your friend, always start further away from the scary thing than you think you need to be. Start working further away than you need and move closer very gradually, as your dog becomes more comfortable. The golden rule is that great things appear every time they see the scary thing, choose the best thing ever for your dog – roast chicken, playing an exciting game – whatever they love most – and keep it just for these occasions. DO take breaks, experiencing new things is tiring, learning is exhausting, so work in short sessions and take lots of breaks. Your dog needs time to process all the information they are taking in. It is your job to make sure they get it. DO choose your moments, this is something to do when you yourself are feeling relaxed and on the ball, you need your wits about you so that you can make sure your dog feels safe. You need to be calm and focused and be able to give all your attention to your dog.

The best way to help a shy or fearful dog gain confidence is to expose them to what frightens them at a low intensity. Pair this exposure with something positive, like a tasty treat. This is called counter conditioning and desensitization, and when done successfully, it helps them feel more comfortable around the source of their fear. Allow your dog time to get used to people. Instruct others to ignore your dog, and let your dog decide whether they want to approach someone. Dogs that adjust on their own are more likely to approach people safely. Avoid direct eye contact, at first. Direct eye contact can be intimidating or threatening to a dog. Throw out treats, decreasing the distance for a safe interaction. From a crouched position, toss out a treat, one at a time. This allows your dog to approach at their pace and get a reward at the same time. Build up trust with your dog before bringing them to public settings like the dog park, a friend’s house, or a dog-friendly restaurant or brewery. Go slow and give them time to gain confidence and trust. If your pup is shy or fearful of other dogs, don’t force the interaction — just as you wouldn’t with people. Give yourself some space by going to the other side of the street or moving off the path. Remember, it’s all about taking things slow and working with your dog as they gain more confidence.