Assuming your puppy or adult dachshund does not display shyness or aggressive behavior around people, there is a very simple method for introducing him to all kinds of people.

First, you want to make sure your puppy or adult is slightly hungry and will respond eagerly to food treats. The best time to work on socialization, therefore, is before your dachshund has been fed, or at least midway between meals. Second, you will want to carry some irresistible treats in a pocket or hip bag. When you meet a person, hand out a treat for the stranger to feed your dachshund. It's pretty much that simple. Your dachshund will soon associate people with food, as well as an outstretched hand as an offering of a delectable treat.

Shy Dogs Require Extra Caution

If your dog is reticent about meeting people, you need to be more careful. First, you need to be aware of her comfort zone. How close does a person have to approach before she begins to show signs of discomfort?

Second, understand your dog's signs of fear. These include laying ears backward against head with a leveling of the head (nose more upward), slight crouching, tail tucked between hind legs, moving backward until she touches your legs, hiding behind you, trembling, and/or trying to flee.

Third, you must absolutely recognize the signs that indicate your dachshund has shifted from flight mode to fight mode: stiffening of body, stiff but wagging tail, a shift in ear position, a rise in the dog's hair from neck to tail (hackles up), and possibly growling, snarling, barking, and charging the person while on the lead (to regain what the dog feels is a safe space). A fearful dog will make this shift when she feels she has exhausted the possibilities of flight. Still fearful, she is now doing what she thinks is necessary to be safe.

Socializing the Shy Dog

Your first rule in working with a shy dog is to never put him in a situation that makes him uncomfortable. Similarly, you should never let the situation escalate to the point that he feels he simply can't escape and must do something. You want your dog to be the one to approach the stranger, not the other way around. The meeting and greeting has to be on your shy dog's terms.

Working with a close friend, instruct the person beforehand not to make eye contact with your dachshund. Next, ask your friend to approach you and your dachshund, stopping at least 10 feet before reaching the dog's comfort zone.

For example, if your dachshund gets worried when a person is five feet away, have your friend approach from a distance and stop when she is 15 feet away. Without looking at your dachshund, have your friend toss him a treat. Praise him if he is not showing any signs of fear and treat him yourself, too. If the dog shows signs of fear, say nothing. Do not react at all. Any acknowledgement of the fearful behavior will only encourage your dog to react this way. Instead, turn him around, walk a few paces back, and attempt the exercise again.

When your dog is comfortable with your friend at this distance, have the person take a step forward and toss another treat. She should continue moving up bit by bit until she has reached the dog's comfort zone. Now have her toss the treat a foot or so in front of the dog, encouraging him to move forward and closer to her, the scary stranger. Any time the dog becomes uncomfortable, stop the exercise. Move a pace farther way, and repeat the exercise from the point where he feels most comfortable.

Your goal is to eventually work your dog close enough to take the treat from the person's hand. If your dachshund still has difficulties making this final step of eating out of her hand, have your friend sit and allow your puppy or dog to investigate on his own. Have your friend sit very still so as not to startle your dog. Given enough time, virtually even the shyest dog will eventually warm up to the quiet, non-aggressive person.

Most dogs should warm up within thirty minutes or less, but don't be distressed if your pup takes several sessions to gain confidence. Be patient, and keep working on it. Also, keep in mind that it takes work to transfer the dog's confidence from one person in one location to a different person in a new location. You can expect to perform this exercise many times before your puppy begins to realize that people are okay no matter where he meets them.

A wonderful place to practice socialization skills with the shy puppy or dog is at an obedience club or training center. Everyone at those places is a dog person who understands how to get a shy dog to warm up to a person — by letting the dog take the initiative and make the approach.