I have a 6 month old ratty named Cody who generally is the greatest dog on the planet. He lives in a house just outside of Boston (30 minute walk to be in the center of the city) with my girlfriend, three roommates (all male), and myself. He is in contact with different people on a daily basis, mainly because we go on long walks into the city walking by thousands of people, and because we are always having our friends over. However he has become timid, if he meets someone he is always somewhat nervous, and backs away if someone puts their hand out towards them. He has never been aggressive, bitten, or barked at a person doing this, he just kind of backs away. I don't know what to think of this, is this aggressive? Why is he so shy?

Also, the other day, Cody was sleeping in his bed, and my roommates girlfriend went down to pet him, and he did a slight growl and showed his teeth... Nothing more, but I still had to tell him that this behavior is not acceptable, by saying "NO" while pointing at him. Is my way of telling him no wrong? Is it because I am pointing at him that he gets nervous around people? I just feel like I am the cause of making him timid and feel terrible. I just want Cody to be a loving happy dog.

(He also has not gotten neutered yet, not sure if that plays a role)

He is very polite if someone shows me more attention than him. He will usually sit or sniff stuff.

He isn't crate trained. He is both my girlfriend and my dog, so we have to agree on it, but the influences around us say no, seeing as my girlfriends borhters ratty isn't crate trained, as well as her parents dog and my sisters dog. It is something I would consider.

Have you ever watched the dog whisperer? He addresses fear/anxiety escalating into aggression on almost every show. It is a very common problem. It sounds like he is getting great exercise. Does he walk in front of you or next to you? He's taking the dominant leader position (even though he may or may not want it). As "animals" in our dog's pack we are either leader or weak and it can flop back and forth depending on our own energy and how our dog perceives us. Being leader does not mean being mean or aggressive or bossy, rather calm and assertive. I've been applying Cesar's techniques for about 2 months and it has made amazing changes in my dog, I will do the same with my newly adopted rattie (as of next week). 

You are probably anxious that your dog will growl/bite/show teeth (understandable) and you are transmitting that anxiety to your dog (or the person approaching your dog is anxious). Dogs reactions are indicators of our own emotions.

Taking every opportunity to assert your position as pack leader is important, the walk being the biggest opportunity. My dog waits while I go through doors first (including the car), he is quiet while I put on the leash. He waits and looks at me first while in a sit before he gets his food. Not only can you change your dog's fear/aggression tendencies, you can provide a safer environment by setting up consistent expectations.

My 2 cents - the show is on National Geographic or you can rent/buy the seasons on DVD.

Christine

I agree with Tracey and Christine except that you may not necessarily be projecting "nervousness/anxiety" to him.  I know this because I, too, have a very shy dog.  She wasn't socialized well as a pup (my fault) and so was very shy and nervous when strange people would greet her.  Never agressive, just would back away from them.  I wasn't projecting nervousness because a lot of times this would completely take me by surprise - because I was calm and happily walking along, stopping to talk to people, etc. when she would do this.

She wasn't ever abused.  Some dogs are just more shy than others.  I've been working with her on this issue for the past 2 years and she is much better!  I take her among people (not crowds as that would be too overwelming for her) and by me being "calm/assertive" and also by her seeing my other dogs be ok with getting petted by strangers she has become much better.  She even walks up to stranger on her own now and expects to be petted!  It just takes time.

I would definitely look into crating (get your gf to read the crate training post pinned at the top of the Training Forum).  Some dogs do fine without but especially since you have so many people in and out of your home it might be a good idea for him.  It gives him a special place of his own.

Good luck!

I agree with that - if a dog is shy or skittish, it can just take time. It is the same method for either situation, taking opportunities to show you are pack leader by being calm and assertive. Once you become aware of your internal energy - it is really quite amazing how this manifests itself in your dog. You can't fool them either!

You shouldn't let excited or aggressive dogs meet your dog anyway - that is okay for you to make a wide berth around them.

It is also okay for him to not want to be touched by everyone he meets. I watched one show where he said dogs should be allowed to sniff a person uninterupted. If they want more affection, they will ask for it and it is okay if they don't. It might be that he is just being interupted while he is sniffing. The average person does not know the proper way to greet a dog.

Cody is very pretty....and welcome to the forum!

What's important here are several things... and one is that you may be unknowingly reinforcing the timid behvior.  You probably are not even aware that you might be doing this. If a scared dog is picked up and cuddled, he will learn to associate the timid behavior with a pleasurable result of attention. Instead, you should simply allow your dog to be timid, and praise him lavishly when he exhibits a less-timid behavior, from cowering at your feet to standing alert on his own.

Keep taking him out and exposing him to as many things and people as you can. If he doesn't want to 'meet' someone, don't force him to! As long as he's not being aggressive towards them, I wouldn't worry too much about it. There's really no reason for him to HAVE to be outgoing and social towards people he doesn't know, and to force him to do so could have really detrimental effects

Behavior is a blend of nature and nurture.  Some dogs are born with a timid nature and some dogs are "molded" by one way or another into that behavior.  No dog is content in every context or situation...(it's hard not to show fear when you are afraid).  Have realistic expectations... he may never be the life of the party.  Sometimes the best we can hope for is a compromise.

Sounds like something happened somewhere along the way to change his behavior.  Certainly if you don't know what happened... I cannot know what triggered the change.  But with consistence, patience and lots of love (and making sure you protect him from "all strangers" who might wish to touch him).  Might be good to crate him when visitors come... at least for awhile.   He'll feel less threatened in the safety of his crate.

Good luck!