Some pets need a little space to feel their best. It doesn't make them rude, it makes them honest! For one Dachshund mix, spending time in his bed comes with an unwanted visitor—except he's too shy to tell her he'd rather be alone.
In a recent video shared to TikTok by Shannon Dhanani ( @shanventures ), the timid pup obviously needs his space from the cat but isn't sure how to get her to leave. So, he does the only thing can think to do—ignore her and hope for the best! Take a look at his master plan in action!
In the brief clip captioned, "If I don’t look it will go away," the sweet dog is seen sitting in his bed as the cat in question strolls right up to him. He maintains his posture, never making eye contact with the curious feline. Instead, he looks at the camera. Though his body language suggests he's turning away, he appears too shy or afraid to make it known he'd like her to go.
Even when the cat steps up on the bed, the dog refuses to look at her, but she doesn't take the hint! We don't know for sure if his cold shoulder act worked and the cat eventually left, but we can only hope this pup got the alone time he desired.
"Awwww his sweet face," one person wrote, which sums up his manners. He's so polite!
Related: Dachshund Mix Rescue Jumps Up From Deep Sleep After Realizing Dad's Home
Help a Shy Dog Come Out of Their Shell
It's hard to say if the dog in the clip is shy or anxious in general, but dogs who are might have a harder time socializing with others (yes, including cats). Some dogs might not be "shy" but will retreat when they're overwhelmed. PetMD advises there are a few things you can do to help an introverted dog be a little less, well, introverted!
For starters, approach your dog with a soft voice and easy, slow movements until you can read their body language. Even if you don't know what your dog is feeling, always take their lead with how they choose to interact with others. This is where positive reinforcement training comes in handy because it boosts their confidence.
With that in mind, incorporate games that help them feel more self-assured. It can even be as simple as scattering treats for them to find. It's easy and the accomplishment makes them feel good.
Counterconditioning and desensitization techniques have also been proven successful for shy or scared dogs if you combine them with positive reinforcement. You might need to pair up with a behavior specialist or your vet to get to the bottom of their insecurities, but be patient.
If you have a dog like the one in the video, they might just prefer their personal space when in their own bed, so know your dog, their personality, and their needs. Not all of them are social butterflies, and that's okay! But for the dogs with social anxiety who need a little TLC, give it to them and accept them however they choose to be!
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