Strategies for working with the fearful dog

Strategies for working with the fearful dog
copyright (c) 2021 Frania Shelley-Grielen. All rights reserved.

What can you do to help a dog that is afraid? I work with fearful dogs and I want to
help each one of them and their owners. What breed this dog is or even what sex
the dog is immaterial. This particular dog could be any number of fearful dogs on
the island of Manhattan. You may have walked by this dog this morning on your
way to the subway at West 4th Street or passed by on your way home getting off
the M116 cross-town.

I have written on working with the individual aggressive dog, aggression between
dogs, and bite prevention in dogs, all of which include basic guidelines in
approaching all dogs, including the overly fearful dog. Here I want to outline some
specific "hands on" strategies and approaches for the fearful dog. This is no way
exhaustive nor can it deal with every specific situation. Every animal is an
individual and every approach should be individualized based on history and
presentation:

Work with and find the right behaviorist and/or trainer, one that is well

qualified

and utilizes force free positive methods. And training

classes,

especially

puppy

kindergarten can be the number one

mitigating factor in

dealing with the

fearful

dog. The structured

environment

gives the dog

much needed defined

boundaries

and rewards.

Only work with

programs

that utilize positive

reinforcement.

Positive

reinforcement is far

effective

in insuring new

and positive

behaviors as

opposed to aversive

strategies,

especially with fearful

dogs.

Read a good book on dog training from the right sources. Ian Dunbar, Patricia

McConnell, Sophia Yin, Pat Miller, Paul Owens, Victoria Stillwell and Suzanne

Clothier are all wonderful to choose from for starters.

Let "ignore the bad behavior, reward the good behavior" become your mantra

apply it always. Work on actively noting the good behavior. A

dog

simply

lying

quietly can be praised for it ("Good Dog to lie Quiet!

). Your

dog

loves

praise,

especially coming from you. Capitalize on the positive

moments,

this

way

you

get

to build much needed confidence in your dog on a

frequent

basis.

Go slowly, more slowly than you want to or than you think you should. The

dog

afraid, that trembling, urinating or barking is all that the dog has to

communicate

this to you. Respect it.

animal people want every animal to

connect with us in

instant intimacy, this is not about you it's about the dog.

This is not the time to ask for compliance, "Calm, submissive" is the antithesis

what you want from this dog. Forcing this dog (or "flooding") to do

anything

will

exacerbate the situation and make the dog's issue larger not to

mention it

simply

cruel and inhumane.

Speak softly, and lower yourself to the dog's level. Do not approach initially

and

avoid eye-contact. Never tower over the dog. A downward pat towards

the

head

will also not be welcome, try an offering your hand halfway out

from

your

body

with the palm downward and your eyes downcast.

When you do approach (when the dog has calmed a bit) approach laterally

(sideways). Direct eye contact and frontal approaches are aggressive

behavior

a dog's world.

Allow for the time the process will take. Or ask for a lot and be happy with a

little.

It may take several weeks or even months for your dog to accept novel

situations

or people and only after repeated attempts.

Reassurance is not a dirty word. You can reassure your dog. Keep it to one or

the most two short sentences in a calm, even tone, the sky is not falling, it's

point that out and remember not to act as if it is.

Set your dog up for success. If a street-cleaner, larger dog, group of toddlers,

etc.,

is coming towards you, put your body between them and the dog. Your

physical

presence as a buffer will alleviate stress in these situations.

Figure out what amplifies the positive for your dog. High value treats may

welcome at other times but are hard to process when on the defensive. The

dog I

am working with responded from day one to tons of praise in a sing-song

happy

voice and loves to chase the tennis ball. We play a lot of ball.

This is not where I wish you luck; rather assure you that patience, time and
compassion are you and your dogs’ best friends

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Working with
the
fearful dog

Confidence building, training and time can all help the fearful dog

"Go slowly, more slowly
than you want to or than you
think you should. The dog is
afraid, that trembling,
urinating or barking is all
that the dog has to
communicate this to you.
Respect it. We animal
people want every animal to
connect with us in instant
intimacy, this is not about
you it's about the dog."

Find the most fun thing for your fearful dog to enjoy

Fishpickdiver

Schedule a consultation

info@animalbehaviorist.us
212-722-2509 / 646-228-7813

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