10/23/2026
The biggest mistake made by people trying to meet a nervous pup is to encroach further into that dog’s space. It’s even worse if they are talking at the dog saying “Its ok! I’m nice.” This kind of behavior is well intentioned, but communicates something entirely different in dog body language.
Instead, if you want to befriend a nervous dog, ignore them at first. Whenever the dog approaches and displays calm behavior, toss them a snack. Do this each time you meet the dog until they consistently approach you without hesitation. Then you can try talking to them, offering treats out of your hands, and if they are really bold with you, even an try for an under the chin scratch!
If you need help getting your dog to be more comfortable with guests, visit centralfloridadogtraining.com to schedule a free consultation with us today!