Help w/Shy Maltese

Question
Hi Nancy,

We have a four year old maltese, Daisy, that I purchased at 12 weeks old. She lived with my mother, sister, me, and my sister's maltese up until nine months ago when I moved in with my fiance. Daisy is scared to death of my fiance. She hides and does not want anything to do with him unless my sister's dog is present. The only time she will go to him is if he is laying down in bed (mornings she will jump on him and give him kisses). When he tries to take her out to go potty while I'm out of the house, she doesn't want to go out and she will not do her business if he picks her up to take her out.
I would appreciate any suggestions you may have in helping us to teach her how to have confidence and to help her to not be afraid of him when my sister's dog is not present.

Thank you,
Janice

Answer
Hello Janice,
This should be an easy fix.....Sign her up for some classes at Petsmart or any group lessons,  but let your fiance take her....When she is there and only has him to depend on, she will start to get closer to him....You cant be around....If she is afraid of others there, and he is the only one she knows, he will become a safe haven for her....make sure he understands that the first time SHE
GOES TO HIM  he is to pick her up and cuddle her with GENTLE PETTING/STROKING.. NO HARD PATTING.
It may take several weeks for this to happen.....Just let him do the lessons without giving her too much notice...Go through whatever the teacher asks.....Clue her in on what you were told to do by another trainer and she should help you from there.   Have him be  calm and aloof around her so she has a chance to GO TO HIM......  NOT HIM TO HER...OK
nancy