whether it’s a fear of strangers, other dogs, or noises like the vacuum, it can be incredibly challenging to train a fearful dog. when a dog is anxious, they aren’t focused on you, but rather the scary distraction. it can be a struggle to get them to listen. rather than trying to train your dog when they are fearful, you need to respect how your dog is feeling and either remove them from the situation or modify it so your dog can cope. to help your dog avoid their fears, you need to be in tune with canine body language. if you can see the early warning signs of anxiety and fear, you can step in before your dog becomes overwhelmed. you need to be on the lookout for the often-misunderstood signs your dog is uncomfortable. whether your dog is fearful from past trauma or a lack of socialization, you can make tremendous progress in helping them face their fears.
a nervous dog isn’t going to become the life of the party, but they can become more comfortable in the world. first, provide your dog with a reliable routine so their world is more predictable. finally, use those behaviors to ask your dog to earn life rewards so they gain a sense of control over their environment. don’t expect your dog to compete, that’s not the goal. the key is to create positive associations for your dog with the things that frighten them. the trick is to expose your dog to their triggers at a level where they don’t react. once your dog is happy to be at that distance from the trigger, you can increase the intensity a tiny bit and pair with treats again. once your dog has newfound confidence, you will be able to train in more situations and introduce new distractions. the following tips will help you train successfully: akc is a participant in affiliate advertising programs designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to akc.org.
we’re outgoing and shy, open and reserved, serious and silly, emotional and creative. many of us are born with certain qualities or personality types, and sometimes our experiences influence the way we present ourselves to the world. easygoing dogs — happy greeters with wagging tails — are often the stereotype. but this stereotype can be a great disservice to many shy and fearful dogs who need a little extra help (especially around whatever frightens them). but it’s nothing most dedicated dog owners can’t handle! while it’s possible a fearful dog has suffered abuse or trauma at a young age, most of the time fear results from genetic predisposition or a lack of experience with what frightens them. for example, if your dog barks or growls at your friend they’re meeting for the first time, don’t force them to get along. your dog is telling you they’re uncomfortable, and, if pushed, it could lead to snapping or even biting. most fearful dogs gradually improve with time, training, and trust.
but they won’t likely become outgoing if they’re naturally nervous or shy. you can learn to manage their fears with training, patience, and time. the best way to help a shy or fearful dog gain confidence is to expose them to what frightens them at a low intensity. this is called counter conditioning and desensitization, and when done successfully, it helps them feel more comfortable around the source of their fear. it’s always ok to say no if a stranger approaches your dog and you don’t feel they’re ready to meet. you can step between your dog and the other person, preventing an interaction. go slow and give them time to gain confidence and trust. sometimes, interactions with other dogs are unavoidable, like out on a walk. if your dog reacts aggressively — such as barking, lunging, or growling at other dogs — don’t feel too discouraged! remember, it’s all about taking things slow and working with your dog as they gain more confidence.
use positive training methods only. ignore and redirect unwanted behavior rather than punishing your dog. be patient. don’t set unrealistic dogs learn from positive association. the best way to help a shy or fearful dog gain confidence is to expose them to what frightens them at a low intensity. 1. recognize that the dog is fearful 2. help the dog feel safe 3. don’t use punishment 4. it’s okay to comfort your dog 5. don’t force your, .
be in the same room but don’t interact. remain calm and basically ignore the dog while reading, crocheting or keeping yourself occupied. eventually curiosity “training” doesn’t help. many people fall into the trap of believing that shy, fearful, and/or reactive dogs “just need training.” some trainers behavior modification for the fearful dog at risk of flight: the fearful dog will possibly be slower to learn because stress interferes with, .
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