I have a black lab called Jake. We had him when he was a year old, he was training to be a gun dog but unfortunately the key thing for a gun dog is not to be scared of bangs!!! FAIL!! So we took him on, and what a struggle it was! At first he wouldn't move from his bed in the utility room, then week by week would explore a different room, until the tv was switched on. Didn't like the tv for at least six months. Would take him for a walk, but would firmly plant his arse on the floor if he saw someone coming the other way!!! Took him at least 6-8 months for him to wag his tail at us! Now he's 12, deaf as doorpost but still going strong, he came on well through the years, still a bit of a scardy cat but have a little boy helped him, he didn't have a choice but to be pulled and poked, so that actual helped with his confidence!