How to Address the Small but Still Frustrating Behaviors

Per my list of behaviors, here are ways I've handled the rest of the odd behaviors that will happen when you have a shy or fearful dog.

The key is to always be attentive of your dog if they are having a hard time so you can always find out what is bothering them to begin with.

• Jittery/jumpy
• If you catch them jumping to a new noise, stop and comfort them, "it's okay."
• If their reaction wasn't out of this world, squat down or get close to them and make the noise again while comforting them, holding them, petting them (positive association to negative thing)
• Start showing them things they get jumpy with and let them sniff it. Hand it to them gently and let their nose come to your object (curiosity is good)
• DON'T FORCE IT, if they are truly scared, DON'T drag them to the noise or object (that will only make things worse!!!)
• After they are jumpy always call them over and pet them or hug them letting them know you are there for them
• Darting eyes
• If something catches their eye and it makes them fearful, let them know it's okay
• With time they will learn they can be less scared because you're here to protect them now and they don't need to be scared 
  
• Cornering/hiding
• If this is a new dog, it's okay to let them hide and adjust to their surrounds for the first couple days
• I would start coaxing them out of the corner in a weeks time because it's not good behavior to cower in a corner the rest of their lives either. They just have to be shown it's okay to lay out in the open because they are safe now.
• Coax with treats if necessary or if they come when called, try that.
• Get them used to all areas of your home (gate off living spaces so they can get used to them one at a time)
• Bring a bed or toy that comforts them into whatever room you are in (positive association/distraction)
• If the dog is not aggressive, once you feel comfortable and they don't fight TOO much, drag them out of that corner and move them into an open space (the couch, next to the couch, up to bed, etc)
• Eventually they'll learn they can be in space where they are invited and not have to be scared anymore. Most likely it will end up being where ever in your arms snuggled next to you. :)
  
• Whining
•  1st always rule out pain, scratches, cuts, bruises, broken bones, etc. 
• Whining can be out of general anxiety. All you can do is comfort with petting, "it's okay" and give it time 
• Our Joey whines because he's terrified of new objects he's not familiar with. This could be down to a door left open or a vacuum we haven't put away in the middle of the hallway - REMOVE the thing that's stressing the dog out
• If we can't remove it, like a new gate we installed, I usually get down on the floor with some treats and treat him nearby the "new thing" and day after day he'll get closer and closer until it's not so new anymore
• Whining out of fear of you may be followed by submissive peeing. Watch out for this when the dog is on your bed our couch....things hard to launder. If this happens try not to confront the dog when they're on these surfaces, keep a distance when trying to get their attention (sometimes it's inevitable...it's not the end of the world)
• Anxiety of not getting enough attention or affection, if this is a new dog to you give them all the loving to let them know it's a thing now! :)
• Once this gets old, I don't believe all dogs need to be pet 24/7 every second ... this can turn into separation anxiety (a whole other headache, PJay had it as a puppy)
• You will have to ignore the whining or teach the dog to calm or lay down. 
• Once the dog is in a calm state or laid down, THEN pet the dog letting them know it's a reward and not a constant thing they have to scratch, paw, and lick to fight for
• Eventually they'll learn to self sooth and know when enough is enough
• My philosophy: dogs can be loved AND not be rude simultaneously. No guest likes dogs to jump, lick and overwhelm them upon entering your home.
• Separation Anxiety
• Gate or crate them in an area where they cannot actually see you leave the apartment or house through the main door.
• Give them a treat that will keep them occupied and not see or notice you leave (this helps them associate you leaving with something positive like a treat)
  
• Bring them along to short car trips here and there (ie short grocery runs).
• If you are able, take short trips and slowly increase intervals so they are eased into your absence. 
• Video tape what they do in the home and see if there is something of comfort you can use to calm them or make them content. Record your progress. 
• Submissive peeing
• You cannot scold them after this, IN FACT, comfort them letting them know it's okay (they are doing this because they are terrified people, yelling doesn't do anything)
• Eventually this will stop I promise, until the next new person comes along to meet your dog. But it will stop with you. Sometimes once they stop they stop altogether. (My parents' husky always submissively peed when he got excited everytime my husband would visit though....)
• Don't clean up the mess in front of the dog, then they learn it's okay to pee where ever, you'll just clean it up.
• Bathroom accidents
• This should not be a surprise if you have a new shy dog. They are not used to their new surroundings so may not go potty in the new yard
• As gentle as you can, when they have an accident, NO SCOLDING, but put a leash on and walk them outside and say "outside" and let them sniff around. 
• You have to consistently, just like a puppy, do this EVERY time they have an accident so they get it
• Refusal to walk on leash
• When they lock down on the floor or yard and refuse to move....that's a wrap
• If it's new, you may as well pick them up and bring them home
• I think it stems from a or several negative experience with the leash (being dragged to be beat, dragged to be bred, who knows?!) 
• Keep he leash close by, or keep the leash on the dog so they become unaware or not scared of the leash
• NEVER LEAVE LEASH ATTACHED IF YOU ARE LEAVING YOUR HOME AND YOUR DOG ALONE (CHOKING HAZARD)
• Always watch your dog nearby because the leash can get caught and choke or hurt them
• Once they get familiar with the experience, they'll let you softly tug on the leash to move
  
  them along (NEVER tug til they drag across the floor or cough)
• Start small, in your living room, then the yard, then a park. Before long it'll be a short walk....unless they plant down mid walk...in that case I hope it's not a heavy dog. lol
• Walking along walls and fences
• This is a protective mechanism. If they put one side against a hard surface, they only have to worry about one other direction. Smart huh?
• If this is a new dog, allow this to happen until they are familiar with their surroundings
• Once they are comfortable, you can softly tug on the leash and let them know open spaces are okay too, and safe above all else