[Fosavoa]

My dear, no one was calling you a turd. The old phrase "turd in a punchbowl" is used when one voices a POV unpopular with others. That's why I said "I hate to be the turd in a punchbowl." You were getting praise & congrats & I knew you would not like what I had to say, so I said I was the "turd in the punchbowl."

That being said, Sai's new "lemme get it" attitude does not mean it is a display of confidence. Plenty of fearful/defensive dogs show the same display & with the background you gave on Sai in this thread I doubt her change of heart is true confidence, but rather a new way to scare people/things away.

Sai may indeed someday lose her fear & with a handler like you who is dedicated to her, willing to work her & not give up, one day she may be quite confident. I just don't think she is now. What you described here sounds more like a threat display to me. But keep working her & she will be fine. Just don't praise her for her newfound "skills," work on her to develop actual confidence, not what I call "kitty-cat confidence" (puff up & hiss!) & she'll be fine eventually!

Also, as a side note, if her shyness is genetic & not a result of circumstance, be prepared to have a dog who is always a "spook." If she is just genetically weak nerved, you can work with her until you are blue in the face, but if the wrong sight/sound/thing hits she may still react negatively. Dogs with weak nerves CAN get to the point where they can behave normally during day-to-day activities, but they will always have to be well managed & supervised at all times.

JMHO. Good luck & keep us updated!

Blessings ...