my dog is afriad of people

Question
I have an American Eskimo he is about 7 months old. He is very good he listens, but when it comes to people he gets afraid. He doesn't mind when they are walking past him. I take him all the time to Pets Mart to socialize him but when people try to pet him he hides behind me. Is there any thing I could do to get not afraid of people. I really want to show him for 4-H but I won't be able to if he is afraid of the judges.
Thanks Sapna  

Answer
Hi Sapna,  I am tickled to hear about you and your pretty little dog.  Seven months is not fully mature, of course, and he is not settled into what he will be yet.  

Here are some thoughts about shy dogs in general....:  First, they tend to be smart dogs.  Nothing much gets past him and he knows just how not in control of things he is.  A dog like this needs his confidence built up.  Taking him to pet smart is good, but you might want to modify how you yourself greet people there so as to impress your young dog that you are in control of the situation there.  Do not allow people to swoop in on him. Do allow him to go behind you and ask people to ignore him till he comes out on his own.  He is a really cute dog, i'm betting, and he might feel a little overwhelmed by strangers wanting to put their hands on them.  If your dog hears you asking people to keep their hands off untill he approaches them, he will be impressed with the facts that YOU, his beloved person, control other people.  This, over a period of time will make him braver.

Second, i would like YOU to to be more formal in your meeting with people.  Have a little routine.  You can explain to people that your dog will become more calm if you shake their hand.  Tell people your first name as you shake their hand and explain that your dog is a little shy but if they will just look at him and talk to him, they will be helping you make him bolder.  

(People don't often think of dogs as being formal and yet they are.... very formal....when they meet each other.  When they meet they have rituals that, if they are followed, means there is no need to fight.  

So... there are two kinds of socialazation: With dogs and with people.  Is your dog fairly confident with other dogs?  This is a good sign he will become more confident with people.  

You will become more confident and poised as you practice formal meetings with people on the street and at Pet Smart.  This will help BOTH of you with your 4-H ambitons.  Your dog will sense your growing confidence and he will LIKE it!  You are in charge!  Strangers don't approach him unless YOU say so.  What a great team!  Dogs adore being on a great team with a confident leader.  Say "no" to people when you see your young dog is overwhelmed.  You don't owe them anything.  You owe it to your pup to be in charge and to bolster his confidence.  

I wish you the very best.  I love your breed.  American Eskimos used to be in 19th century circuses.  They are very clever, pretty and agile, little dogs.  You might want to look into Dog Agility classes too.  Your breed loves that sport.  

Good luck!