How to Calm a Fearful Dog

There’s nothing wrong with being afraid or strange places, people or noises, but if your dog is overly fearful, he can develop aggressive issues. Your dog’s fear might stem from many things, including a lack of socialization or even abuse. Or your dog could have fearful parents who passed along some personality traits in their genes. Building your shy dog’s confidence will make him a happier dog who will love to accompany you to events and explore new places.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Build confidence with training

1. Train your dog using only positive methods. Any training that includes physical corrections or punishments might make him more fearful. Some dogs react poorly to even vocal punishment. Training will strengthen your position as the leader and your dog’s trust in you while teaching him important skills.

2. Make training a fun, stress-free activity. Use a pleasant voice, include lots of treats and praise, and make learning like a game for your pup. Train in short sessions so your dog doesn’t get overwhelmed or frustrated, and always end sessions on a positive note. If you are teaching a command that your dog just hasn’t gotten yet, revert to commands he knows before you end the session.

3. Join a training group or class. This will help you learn the best way to train your dog, while teaching him to learn and be comfortable in a group setting.

4. Identify what your dog is fearful of. Then work to desensitize your dog. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunder, you might get a CD of thunder sounds and play it at gradually increasing levels, while giving your dog rewards for calm, confident behavior.

Calming your dog around people

5. Let your dog to hide from you, family members or strangers he is afraid of. Your dog should always have a “safe” place where he can go and you will not bother him. For many dogs this might be in his crate or under a bed or table.

6. Have the “scary” people sit on the floor, or even lie on the floor, while ignoring the dog.

7. Give the dog treats and praise when he comes closer to the “scary” people.

8. Establish eye contact with the dog only after he initiates interaction.

9. Have the “scary” person feed your dog by hand, or at least provide the dog with his food.

Calming your dog around other dogs

10. Walk your dog near other dogs. Figure out how far away he must be to feel comfortable. Tell him to sit and treat and praise him when he is calm. Then, gradually move closer to the other dogs. This might take several weeks, but eventually you should be able to move much closer to the other dogs without your pup being fearful. This method also works well with strange objects your dog might be afraid of, like skateboards.

11. Invite a doggie friend, who is well-behaved and calm, to your house. Let your dog meet this new dog. Watch carefully as they interact and play. Reward positive interaction. Separate the dogs if there is aggressive behavior and consult a professional trainer.

12. Tell your dog to sit before meeting a new dog, and then proceed when he is calm. When walking past a new dog, let them sniff one another only briefly before moving on.

13. Hold the leash loosely when your dog encounters another dog. If you pull on the leash, your dog will feel restrained, which will elevate his emotions

Calming your dog in new places

14. Take your dog for walks often. The routine exercise and exposure to new smells and sounds will help him become more confident. Be a strong leader while you walk, and this will also help develop the relationship of trust between you.

15. Take your dog with you wherever you can, especially when he is young. A young dog will become more confident and used to new surrounding quicker than an older dog. Give him lots of praise and rewards for being brave.

16. Remove your dog if he seems overly stressed or anxious. At first, short trips are best as a long time in a new place can be overwhelming.

Tips & Warnings

• If your dog displays overly fearful behavior and desensitizing does not help, you should check with a veterinarian to see if there are any health problems that might cause the behavior.
• Some experts recommend a natural herbal remedy to help calm overly fearful dogs. Your vet can help you decide if it might help your dog.
• Don’t soothe or comfort a fearful dog. This will make him feel that being afraid is OK. Instead, ignore fearful behavior and reward confidence and curiosity.
• Don’t force your dog to interact with strangers or dogs. A bad

[katiej13]

on 5/6/2009 Ok that didn't quite come up ok. The article is by Patricia McConnell and it is here: http://thebark.com/content/both-ends-leash-fear-reduction

[katiej13]

on 5/6/2009 "Don’t soothe or comfort a fearful dog. This will make him feel that being afraid is OK. Instead, ignore fearful behavior and reward confidence and curiosity."This is wrong.http://thebark.com/content/both-ends-leash-fear-reduction