7 Ways to Help your Fearful Dog

There are MANY ways to help your dog overcome fear, reluctance or over-curiosity of unfamiliar objects. How quickly you can help them depends on your dog, the object they fear, their level of fear/discomfort, and their current relationship with you. Here are 7 simple but effective ways for you to being helping them today.

Investigation

1. If it’s a SAFE and APPROPRIATE situation, you may consider letting your dog investigate on their own. As they do so, offer them CALM & POSITIVE verbal encouragement like, “good boy” , “thats pretty cool, huh?” or “nice job buddy” when they move forward curiously or SHOW COURAGE. Make sure you move at your dogs pace with it, not your own and never force it. Some dogs are willing to investigate further if you JOIN THEM to investigate. Just moving towards the thing your dog is fearful of yourself and calmly investigating it on your own helps to create a willingness in your dog to move forward with you. Don’t overdo it with enthusiasm, your dog won’t respond if you are too eager.

Casual Conditioning

2. Grab a handful of your dogs FOOD and feed them around it. Some dogs will take their regular food for this, while others dogs may require a HIGHER value food reward. For dogs that won’t take their regular food or very fearful/reluctant dogs you can use SMALL PIECES of training treats, apples, carrots, peas, cheese, or meat. You can do no harm when you use food rewards they enjoy around objects your dog doesn’t trust to help build a more POSITIVE ASSOCIATION. This method is a great start and a common technique I use with my Board & Train dogs during the “Buddha Test”. Curious to see this? Follow my Instagram page and YouTube channel.

Confidence through Training

3. Train your dog around it. This is one great way to build your dogs confidence around unfamiliar objects. Our team dogs at Canine Coach LOVE training! Stick to basic skills like sit or down. If your dog isn’t able to perform their known skills, you may be asking too much. In that case I resort to foundations and basic movement skills. This method isn’t best one for dogs with more extreme fears or one who has not yet been taught about the love of training.

Confidence through Play

4. A drive many dogs have is the desire for play! In this method, you can use PLAY to encourage and motivate your dog. Indirectly, you’re helping to create confidence and trust around it using play - one of their favorite activities. Use their favorite toys, a ball, or a tug. Keep things at the ENERGY level that works for your dog. Refrain from OVERWHELMING your dog if they aren’t interested in play at this time. Many dogs with higher stress levels will have no interest in playing, similar to dogs who wont take food at this time. Time to contact a trainer if these are not working for your usual playful pup.

The Bold Approach

5. This can be used for the often bold, but fearful dog. It can be used with stationary fears such as statues and sewers. If the thing your dog fears is a moving object, this is more difficult and not the best method. Have them on a LEASH around it and let them show you how close they are willing to be from it. LET YOUR DOG make the moves rather than forcing them closer. You can use FOOD & PRAISE when they show courage to move forward, look at it, or stay put (not cowering away) on all four paws or in a sit without being asked to. The goal here is to let them make the moves, but with a leash as your guide. Be aware of how closer you’re letting them get to it. Just being in the environment at all and waiting until your dog recovers slightly can be a good exercise before moving away and offering them a break and distance. Do not repeat this too many times, as it can be overwhelming for a dog. It's best to space these “sessions” out over a few days or weeks. It helps to have help with this one unless you have already learned this from a trainer.

Cheerleader Status

6. Use positive talk and CALMLY CHEER THEM ON when they show COURAGE, rather than when they SHOW FEAR. This ensures you are encouraging their open mind towards it, rather than trying to convince them. Limit verbal interaction or comforting when they are COWERING, MOVING AWAY QUICKLY, or SHOWING FEAR. That’s when it’s just best to stay quiet and be ready for their wavering moments of courage. Timing is important here.

Stay Positive

7. AVOID CORRECTION with fearful dogs. If impatience, anger, annoyance and frustration are hard emotions for you to manage when dealing with a fearful dog, it’s best to call a professional for guidance. The humans we work with find personal improvement through the training process as much as the dogs do. These skills can be learned!

Professional Help for Fearful Dogs

It’s best to consult a professional trainer with behavioral experience for help learning what’s best for your individual dog.

Excessive Fear

If you notice any of the behaviors from your dog that are listed below, they may be experiencing higher levels of fear and stress. When stress levels are too high, dogs often show “fight or flight” behaviors like panting, drooling, backing away, fleeing, barking, lunging, biting or growling. When this happens, your dog’s ability to learn and grow are hindered.

The Nervous Owner

If handling a nervous dogs makes you a bit nervous too, that’s normal! This is another situation where reaching out to a professional trainer is a great idea. Having the right help can make all the difference to you AND your dog. Happy to guide you through it!

*It is recommended you work with a trainer using positive reinforcement methods as these methods are the best for dogs experiencing fear. If you would like help from Coach Ariel, contact us through our contact form.


Train on,
Ariel Santa Maria
CANINE COACH

Hey, it's Ariel, your Canine Coach here. Contact me to begin training before Summer so we can get your dog ready to get out there and play with you!