Does he or she flinch when you reach toward them? Do they jump when you move too fast or drop something? If so, try the following exercise to cure your dog of this reactive behavior:
With a treat in one hand, reach toward your dog and drop the treat on the floor. Slowly at first, increasing the speed only if your dog is actively (and comfortably) eating the treats. Also, depending on how shy your dog is, you may need to back away from the treat as well.
This can be used weather your dog is shy of you or of others. But be sure to make it a game and not a test or something they can do wrong. And remember the value of the treat will determine to your dog if it’s worth getting closer to the person.
Once your dog seems comfortable with just one or two people, bring them to a public area and ask folks if they will do the same exercise (you’ll need to provide the treats and instruction). It’s only by consistent repetition that we get thru these reactive and sometimes bad habits.
So first get him or her comfortable with you coming toward them, then one other person, then another and so on. But note this takes time! If you live in the county and your dog rarely see’s people, it’s going to take a long time (if happens at all).
I recommend you make it a priority for a certain amount of time, say 3 weeks. During the designated time, you consistently and constantly make it a point to get your dog out and about and interacting with at least one but ideally more and more people every day. This way at the end of three weeks you both can take a break and reassess.
Note, noise can be an entirely different flinch point. I recommend desensitizing a flinchy dog to noise by making light of any noise that occurs in their presence and really trying diligently to desensitize them to noises gradually.
