A puppy may be shy for a few reasons. Some puppies are shy naturally - they have gentle dispositions. But most puppies are shy because they have not learned how to socialize with other dogs, other human beings, and with the environment. This is case, you can do a lot to help the puppy.
Puppies learn most about social behavior when they are 12 weeks or younger. During the first 12 weeks, you may need to do all you can to eliminate the shyness. Again, this takes time and patience. The key is letting the puppy know that is okay to be around other dogs, other human beings, and other objects in the surrounding.
So how do you do that?
The best place to start, is in your own home. The moment you bring your puppy home, the first thing you need to do is to let the puppy be familiar with the house. Stay with the puppy as much as you can as you let the puppy walk around and explore the house. If you sense any anxiety or shyness, pet your puppy reassuringly, and use calming tones to let it know that you are around. Remember, the puppy will feel what you are feeling. If you feel anxious, the puppy will also feel anxious.
Also, introduce the puppy to your family members. The puppy may be reluctant to play with your family members initially. Give it some time. Don't frighten the puppy by making sudden movements. Behave gently and continue to reassure the puppy. Let the relationship grow. Tempt the puppy to play and come out of its "shell" by using toys and balls. Bit by bit, the shyness will eventually wear off.
The home, is just the beginning. As the puppy's confidence grows, expose it to as many different situations as you can. For example, bring your puppy to crowded places like shopping malls or public parks. When you are just starting to do this, start with just 10 to 15 mins walks. This is to prevent sensory overload, which may cause unnecessary stress for your puppy. When you see that your puppy is getting more and more comfortable, increase the duration.
You may also bring your puppy to a dog park so that it can socialize with other dogs. But you have to be a little careful here. I highly recommend that you bring your puppy to dog parks only when you see that your puppy is no longer shy. That is because your puppy may come across bigger dogs who may be very playful and aggressive. Your puppy may feel intimidated by these big dogs, and defensive behavior will arise naturally. Always keep your puppy on a lease when at a dog park.
Remember, usually, your puppy is shy because it has a fear for something. Perhaps it is not comfortable with young children. Or perhaps it is fearful of crowded places. Your goal is to help the puppy get rid of this fear. That will tackle the problem at its root. You do that by letting your puppy know that it's perfectly safe to be in the presence of human beings, or other playful dogs, etc. That is why you must always remain calm and composed, even when your puppy is not.
Soon, your puppy will learn to accept its surroundings, and it will learn to behave like you - calm and composed in many different situations. Compared to a shy and anxious puppy, it is much easier to train a calm and confident puppy.
