Why does my dog act so skittish?

He's definitely fearful and insecure.

Dogs that weren't socialized at puppies turn out this way a lot of the time.

Therapy is a great idea. Especially with a lab mix, I would use a pool if it's available. Calmly bring your dog into the pool and hold his belly while he swims. When he's comfortable with the water and is in a calm state, you can start swimming with him instead of just walking in the water. Again the key is to be calm and keep your dog's mind in a calm state.

Walks will help with insecurities. Be confident and your dog will learn to be confident as well.

Petting an insecure or fearful dog on the top of the head is not a smart idea. Start from under his chin.When he is comfortable with be pet, you can try to pet the top of his head.

Don't try to comfort your dog when he's being skittish. Dogs don't respond to comfort the same way that people do. He will think you're telling him that it's okay to show skittish behavior.

ADD:

You are right to worry about your dog. Dogs are not happy when they're anxious.

When people want to pet him ask them to start by scratching under the chin and slowly move up to the back of the ears and to the top of the head. Ask people to talk softly to him as they are petting him and tell him he is a good boy. Imagine how it looks to the dog when a hand is coming over it's head and he can't see what the hand is going to do. I have fostered many dogs with the same fear and it takes a while for them to trust. Starting under the chin the dog knows where the hand is and even then he may be a little afraid but it will be better,

He is skiddish because during the optimal socialization phase of his life, he was in a cage. Puppy mills churn out dogs like this daily because they are fads. Kudos to you for rescuing one, it sounds like your love and kindness has overcome some of his anxiety, but he will have this for the rest of his life. You would be a great person to be an advocate for why breeding these dogs is not good, and for why puppy mills are so detrimental. Turn the tragedy of his early life into something positive, by shining the spotlight on what really happens to the "cute puppies".

He might of been hit on the head alot. maybe when they fed him, and they probably yelled at him, not he has anxiety problems. i had a dog from a puppy mill once. it took months for her to act "normal". give him alot of love and please have patience with him. he probably never knew what love is. only fed and left alone. love him extra than most dogs, he might not totally ever be a normal dog, but he will get better. the boston terrier i have now, was abused before i got him. i was told he would tare up everything when i leave the house and pee in my house. but i took him anyway. yep, he had bad anxiety problems alright. he would chew the corners of my rugs and chew on whatever, he didnt have a pee problem with me though. he sleeps with me at night, and i love on him alot. you should see him now, he's alot calmer. ive been giving him doggie chew things to chew on. he likes those. ive had him 7 months and he's a changed dog. it just takes time and love.

You're right,he was probably abused.I don't know what to tell you besides wait some more and this:My dog was abused and I've had her for a year it took her about 8 or 9 months for her to warm up to me and everyone else.Now that she knows she has a good home,She is so friendly!She loves my family so much,she has dog aggression.That's right,she attacks other dogs to protect my family!

the answer is in the question. Puppies need human socialization from the first days of life. it is critical. Puppies from puppy mills do not get that and they are often taken from their littermates and mom too young so they can be sold at their optimal "cuteness". It leads to behavioral problems like you are seeing.

I had a miniature poodle that was skittish and I raised him from a baby.

Austin was skittish around strangers.

Don't let people touch the top of his head because YOU KNOW he does not like that!!

Try a busy bone for his chewing - my dogs love them. They last a long time.

Why are you complaining about your dog?

I recently lost Austin....unexplained sudden death.

If you lived near me I would gladly take your little dog.

He seems to not live up to your expectations, right?

If you truly love your little dog, SHOW IT and stop complaining!

Hes insecure and thinks everyone that he trust will smack him. You really cant change him because its innate (the anxiety) but maybe he needs physical therapy to relax him. Like doggy therapy or something and just continue to be kind to him. Thats all you can do really.

if u adopted him from a mill then he might have been abused, or there were a lot of scary things there so loud noises or people would frighten him/abuse him and so hes become cautious

the poor things just scared give him some time to get used to new people and animals