Taking care of a fearful dog can be challenging, but understanding their needs is essential to helping them in the right way.
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Dogs, like humans, can experience fear and anxiety, and instead of punishing behaviors like growling, it’s important to recognize that they are trying to defend themselves and seek space.
Training and behavior specialist, Renee Rhoades, used her official Instagram account to highlight five important things to help fearful dogs.
“Adding Something Pleasant Helps”
“You might think that adding something your dog likes, such as food, comfort, or play when they are reacting, is reinforcing their behavior. But that’s not true,” says the expert.
In reality, there is no problem in providing comfort to your dog with something they like. If you were scared, you would certainly prefer the presence of a loved one to offer support; the same goes for dogs!
“I’m Not Being Bad When I Growl”
Some dog owners punish their pets for growling, but dogs don’t growl without reason or to be cruel! Growling is a form of defense. Rhoades compares it to a human saying “please stop”: “Your dog doesn’t want conflict; they want space,” she clarifies.
“Obedience Doesn’t Solve My Behavior”
“You might have the most ‘obedient’ dog, but fear will always outweigh any obedience because the feeling of safety is the most important element for animals,” wrote Renee.
“It’s Okay to Comfort Me”
In addition to offering something your dog likes, you can also provide comfort. For animals, feeling safe is essential, and by comforting your dog, you help them feel more secure. “Providing security helps reduce fear, not cause it,” said Rhoades.
“I Don’t Have a Sense of Morality”
Dogs don’t understand concepts of right and wrong like we do. These are human concepts that don’t apply to our pets. Therefore, our dogs are not trying to upset us or cause discomfort intentionally.
Source: PetsRadar | Images: Unsplash | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
