I am doing drop-in visits for a woman and her 1.5 year old dog. We had a successful meet and greet, but every time I come over, the dog is so scared of me that she barks if I approach her and generally wants to be in the opposite area of where I am . . . will it just take time for her to get used to me? Any tips?
Is she motivated by food? Toys, squeakers? If a dog is motivated by food, I like to use "Temptations" treats for cats. They're small, so I can treat a lot without giving the dog a lot of food.
I've found clickers work well. You have to go through some exercises where you just stand there and click, drop a treat (about 10 times in a row, without saying anything). You have to do that session 2-4 times. Eventually you'll see the dog reflexively look to the ground for the treat. That's when you know the association between the sound and the reward has been established in the dog's mind. Then you can use the clicker to "mark" any movement in your direction. For example, sit on the floor and if the dog comes toward you, click. Eventually, you'd raise the bar and click only when it comes closer, or if it lays down next to you, or walks under your hand which might be hanging off your knee. (Baby steps.).
I like that approach because it puts the dog in control. You're not feeding it nervous energy by trying to approach the dog, reaching for the dog, coaxing it with a pleading voice (reinforcing there's something wrong). But, it takes some work to associate the click with the positive reinforcement (the treat). It's not a quick fix. But, I think the result is better. (The dog learns to be confident, is rewarded for stepping out of its fear, making its own choice to do that.).
I don't use a clicker but follow most of the steps Mark posted with success. My uncle long ago tought me "allow the dog to come to you" to this day I follow this rule
There are a lot of books and you tube videos on clicker training, and like Walt says, the clicker isn't essential, patience and observation is. I'm not knocking clicker training as it has proven itself successful, I'm pointing out the patience/observation aspect.
I walk a pair of terriers that are extremely timid and had this exact experience. They hid under the bed for nearly 40 minutes the first time I went to walk them. I had success with sitting down on the floor at the other end of the room where they could see me and talking to the dogs in a normal, calm voice. I use jerky sticks as treats, and break them up into little bite-sized pieces. I offer treats, always making sure to leave that the treat is close enough to the dog that they know it's there and don't have to go far to get it. Make sure the treat is far enough away from you that the dog doesn't feel threatened! Eventually, their curiosity about the treats overrode their shyness. When they came for the treats, I just encouraged them and offered another treat. Be patient and let her warm up to you. Best of luck!