How to Deal with Fearful Behaviors in Dogs

Do you have a fearful or timid dog?  There are many factors that can lead a dog into a fearful behavior.  It could be due to environment, genetics or even medical (pain) factors, or a mix thereof.  Try these tips to ease fearful tendencies.

Don’t throw your fearful dog into the “deep end:” People often “throw their dogs in the deep end” so to speak when it comes fearful dogs.  For example:  Is you dog nervous around other dogs?  Taking him/her to the full dog park is probably one of the worst things you can do.  It will simply reinforce the fear.  (And we all know what happens to fearful dogs at the parks – they often get picked on by other dogs.  And then of course, they get more scared, and a cycle is started.)  Like wise, if your dog is scared of thunder, don’t stick him/her on the back porch thinking she’ll “get over it.”  Instead:  Try small play groups in a safe environment, and then work your way up to larger groups of dogs.  Remember – some dogs will never be well adapted for a dog park due to breed or history.  There is nothing wrong with that.  Dog parks can be scary places and plenty of dogs live well-rounded and social lives without them!  Likewise with thunder, it used to be thought that you never should pet a scared dog.  (It was also thought in the 1930’s that you never should comfort a scared child.  Psychologists later found letting children know there was a stable adult they could turn to in scary times made them grow up to be more confident adults.)  Nowadays positive trainers are relying more and more on CCC – Classical Counter-Conditioning.  (Using positive stimuli in the presence of the scary stimuli.)

Don’t push a dog to quickly: Don’t assume that just because you had a great play date at your house that your dog is instantly going to be a great dog at an off-leash park.  Or that a dog who seems OK around your child will be comfortable in the middle of your child’s birthday party.  (Think again as a dog:  25 wrestling dogs or 25 squealing 8 year olds.)  Again, don’t push your dog to far, too quickly.  Like humans, they take a while to build confidence and trust.  Pushing them too quickly can actually negate all of the hard work you’ve done.

Using “abuse” to trap the dog in a fearful lifestyle: Yes, your rescue dog may have been abused in a previous household, but don’t trap your dog there.  Work proactively with your dog, and know that you will make progress.  If you believe your dog is “damaged goods” there is a good chance he/she will act that way.   Don’t forget your dog’s history, but don’t let it trap your dog either.  Rescue dogs are amazingly resilient!  Give them the freedom to overcome their fears.  Work with them!

Not allowing your dog to discover new things: Just because your dog is always by your side, remember that he/she needs to see the world independently at times, else you can trap them in a fearful state.  Reward your dog for investigating that which she is scared of.  Let dogs explore, with you by their side as back-up.   If your dog shows fear of an object, praise them for approaching it.   It will teach her that independent investigation is followed by a reward.  Just watch – she’ll probably even have an extra bounce to her step after she’s conquered whatever she was scared of in the first place.

Leash mis-maneuvers: Perhaps your dog shows fearful behavior while on-leash.  Your reaction might be to “reel” your dog in every time you see that which your dog is scared of.  (Humans, other dogs, bikes, etc.)  What this does is instantly tells your dog, “Something is amiss ahead.  Be on alert.”  You’ll actually put your dog on edge, thinking that you’re making him feel more secure.  Especially with dog-dog greetings, if your dog is on high-alert, there is a good chance the other dog will read your dog’s body language and will be put on high-alert.  This can make for bad greetings and again reinforce unwanted, fearful behavior.  Again, remember that dogs need to discover their world.  Instead try this:  Rather than giving your dog a ton of leash length, keep him/her by your side.  Give your dog enough leash so she can explore, but not so much that you’ll have to pull her close to you for greetings that require supervision.  This way, when you approach fearful situations, you do not need to “reel” her in in – she’s already there.  Keep moving, don’t change your pace, and approach the fearful object like it’s not scary – you’ll be surprised how much your dog might be looking to you for guidance.  Feel free to verbally praise your dog if she does not show exhibit negative behaviors.

Communicate with your dog through commands: Often times fearful dogs lack confidence to face the world.  One of the best ways you can build your dog’s confidence is through simple (and fun-for-your-dog) training.  Incorporate commands into your play and you will open up the lines of communication with your dog.  Most dogs LOVE to please their owners, and in doing so it builds their confidence in everyday situations.   Teach your dog basic commands: Sit, Stay, Come, Rollover, Paw, Fetch, Drop It, Leave It, Up, Down, etc.  & offer positive rewards when they do what you ask.  You can even use commands in fearful situations to take your dog’s focus off that which they are scared of.  Then reward!  It doesn’t always have to be a treat – a smile from you might be all your dog is looking for!  Also – if your dog lacks confidence, see if there is an agility class in your town.  Agility can work wonders for dogs who need a confidence boost!

Remember every dog is different. Just because your neighbor’s dog can be clobbered by neighborhood kids and goes to the dog park daily, and has never acted out of fear – don’t compare your dog to theirs.  Every dog is different.  What is acceptable for one dog, is not acceptable for another. Don’t put you dog in a box, but at the same time realize that your dog is unique.  Just as humans have their own phobias we might never get over, so to do our favorite dogs.  If at anytime your dog shows aggression, it’s time to contact a local, certified trainer.  Tip:  Fearful dogs react much better to “positive training” techniques rather than “dominance” training techniques.  Dominance training paired with fear can lead to even more fearful dogs.  Meet your dog in the middle, offer positive associations with fear-investigation and build their confidence through training.