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. Pair this exposure with something positive, like a tasty treat.
Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) to change the way you respond to fear and think about dogs in a different way. Psychotherapy, or talk therapy, to help you understand your fears. Hypnotherapy, which includes guided relaxation exercises while your mind is in a calm state.
Each fear period will last roughly 2-3 weeks. The first fear period occurs relatively early in a dog's life, when puppies are between 8-11 weeks old. The second fear period, which also lasts roughly 2-3 weeks, will occur less predictably between the ages of 6-14 months.
Causes of Fear and Anxiety in Dogs
The onset of fear or anxiety issues in dogs can be prompted by a variety of things, from puppy socialization issues and age-related health conditions like dementia to traumatic experiences or genetics.
Simply ignoring a dog's stress in a misguided attempt to change behavior is counter-intuitive to most owners who love their dogs – as it should be. Not only does comfort not reinforce fear, we have evidence that our dogs benefit from our comfort and support by showing reductions in stress and anxiety.
Myth: A 6 week old puppy who is showing signs of shyness will outgrow that shyness as he gets older. Fact: Probably not. Contrary to popular opinion, it is not normal for a puppy to be shy at 6-8 weeks of age. It is something that – as a general rule – they will not outgrow.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.
The science is in, and the answer is a resounding YES—dogs can smell fear. Dogs have olfactory superpowers that can detect a human's emotional state by the scent that a human emits. That's right—you can't hide fear from dogs. They've got your number!
Shaking/trembling. Inability to settle. Attempting to hide. Lack of appetite (including being unable to take a treat).
Getting your dog to trust you can take time, practice, and a lot of consistency. You can expect anything from 2 weeks-2 months for this to happen.
Be Careful of Your Body Position
Rather than walking towards him, sit down next to him, keeping your body turned slightly sideways to show him you're not a threat. As you gently approach the dog, remember to continue being aware of the dog's behavior.
Keep walks brief at first. Until your dog feels more comfortable, don't overstress him. Treats are a great distraction, so buy some small treats for positive reinforcement. Choose something that your dog loves since fear can reduce interest in eating.
"Don't rush to hug, instead remove the dog from the situation, let it calm down naturally, and re-introduce it to the thing making it scared, gradually." So now we know. And patting is out too, because this can make a dog feel threatened. Instead lower yourself to their level and let them come to you.
Because they are social animals, dogs hate being left alone. The most common of dog fears is separation anxiety. There are always exceptions to the rule, but for the most part, a dog wants to be with her pack, be it you, your family, another dog, a cat, or even a bird.
Cuddling a fearful dog reduces their stress, but in doing so teaches him or her that coming to their owner is a good strategy to cope with loud noises. In other words, giving attention doesn't reinforce the fear, but does reinforce the coping strategy of seeking attention.
What are the symptoms of anxiety in dogs? Common symptoms of anxiety include increased vigilance, drooling, panting, restlessness, compulsive behavior, changes in sleep patterns, more barking than usual, urinating or defecating indoors, destructive behavior, and depression.
In an experiment, dogs were surprisingly accurate in detecting sweat and breath samples from people who were stressed. It's long been widely believed that dogs can detect extreme emotions by smell.
A dog can also pick up when a person is uncomfortable or anxious, which can trigger a negative response from your dog. Perfumes, colognes, and other body-altering scents can also affect your dog's perception of someone.
There is no evidence thus far that dogs actually understand what is happening when two people have sex. They likely recognize the smell of pheromones when people become aroused and other scents associated with people engaging in intimacy.