Two-year-old Max, a mixed breed dog, was adopted after several months in a shelter. An affectionate, sweet-tempered dog, he quickly became attached to his new family. But his owners were troubled that he would growl and hide from houseguests and cower when he encountered another dog on his daily walk.

One visit with a trainer made the problem clear: Max was a shy dog.

Shy, or fearful, dogs come in every size, age, and breed. They are sometimes described as "a one person dog" or are "very protective" around their owner. The symptoms can range from reticence around strangers to defensive behaviors - including biting.

The causes of shyness
It's possible that a dog's fearfulness may stem from abuse or a bad experience. However, experts agree that, in most cases, shyness is caused by a combination of the dog's genetic predisposition and a lack of socialization during the early months of life.

In fact, says Best Friends trainer Roy Spitalnik, inadequate socialization is the number one cause of fearful or nervous behavior in dogs today.

A dog that had no exposure to other dogs when he was a puppy will be uneasy around other dogs. It takes patience and understanding, but most shy dogs can be helped to improve.

What NOT to do
Whenever he would hide, bark or growl, Max's owners tried to reassure him by petting him and gently telling him "good dog."

Unfortunately, say Best Friends trainers, this well-intentioned attempt to ease his fear made the situation worse by inadvertently teaching the dog that he would be rewarded with praise and attention when he barked, growled and hid.

"If you listen to the sound someone makes when they are trying to reassure a fearful dog, it's very similar to the sound of a dog's whimper," notes Spitalnik. "You may be saying 'it's okay', but to the dog, you're just reinforcing his anxiety.

What can I do?
Professional trainers and animal behaviorists suggest several tactics to help a shy dog overcome his fears.

Most importantly, expose your dog to other dogs, to people and to situations that prompt the shy or fearful behaviors. "For a person to learn how to make friends and deal with bullies, he has to be exposed to them," explains Spitalnik. "It's the same with your dog. He needs experience to learn through experience that there is nothing to fear."

Experts also recommend ignoring the dog when he displays shy or fearful behaviors. Let him hide and investigate the situation from a distance. He will come out what he is ready. Lavish him with praise and reassurance when he does come forward to greet a guest or dog on the street.

Spitalnik recommends socializing your puppy as early as possible. "There's a critical period between 1 and 3 months of age in a dog's development. The more experiences you can expose him to during those weeks, the better."

However, he adds, just because your dog is an adult doesn't mean you can't help him overcome fear or shyness. Just, don't expect too much too fast. It's important to let your dog progress at his own pace.

A word of warning
Be alert for signs that your dog's fearfulness will lead to aggression. If your dog demonstrates any signs of defensive behaviors, such as pulling, jumping, barking or snarling, he must be corrected immediately. Even out of fear, such behaviors are not acceptable. In such cases, it is wise to seek the assistance of a professional trainer right away so you avoid reinforcing the problem.

In fact, training will be helpful in addressing the problems of any shy dog. Not only will it help to socialize the dog, it also gives the dog a set of behaviors that he can rely on in a stressful situation.

You can find a professional trainer or training class for your dog through Best Friends Pet Resorts nationwide. To locate the Best Friends nearest you, see the Our Centers section of this website.