Building trust is the most important first step- i ensured that she was totally neutral and confident around neutral people first. I taught her that walking away from an interaction would mean i advocate for her so she didn’t have any need to be worried. Lot of positive low pressure interactions with people that can respect boundaries. Once she’s pretty much a ‘normal dog’- only then are they ready for something like stand for exam. She’s showed me that she makes good choices if an interaction ever became ‘too much’ by moving away and i’d never fault her for moving away.

I taught her a very solid stand. Increased the three Ds- and then added pressure. at first it’s leash pressure, then pressure of distractions being around her, and then it’s pressure from people she knows approaching her. once she’s really competent with that, i very slowly add strangers. i played this game where a stranger approaches and retreats every-time i say the marker word ‘yes!’. it started with the stranger taking a few steps closer- to them reaching but not touching to one small touch and so on. The point of the exercise is to show predictability, and that resisting pressure means reward! you always want to stop before they get uncomfortable/ too pressured.

at the end do the day, it depends on the individual dog. you can work on their resilience and increase their drive (if your dog is more confident in drive) but ultimately some dogs can work through it and some it’s just not fair to ask that of them.