Helping your dog who is afraid of people

Dogs can be scared of different people. This includes men, children, and strangers. Learn how to help your dog overcome their fear so that they can enjoy a walk without any worries!

Fear in your dog? Learn to identify and understand it

Some dogs may see strangers as friends they haven’t yet met, while others believe that stranger danger is real. Some dogs may be anxious when they meet a new person, while others might fear a certain group.

Men, with their larger bodies and deeper voices, can intimidate, as can children, who are unpredictable and full of energy. Dogs may also be scared of certain physical characteristics, such as beards and hats, that can alter a person’s look in a way they don’t understand.

The fear response can be obvious. For example, if the dog cowers or whines when someone approaches or runs away. Fearful behavior comes in many forms. When you meet new people, pay attention to their body language and look out for the following:

Whining or excessive vocalizations

Growling

Chomping air

The act of licking the nose or face

Stress panting

Exaggerated yawning

Lips tensing or showing teeth

The whites of the eyes

Ears pulled forward

Holding your head low

Cowering

Trembling

The tail is tucked in

The belly is revealed by rolling over.

Run away

Pacing

The frantic pursuit of the tail

Anxious Urination

Snapping or biting with aggression

The causes of these behaviors and their fears can be many.

If their parents are also anxious, some dogs may be genetically predisposed towards being more anxious and fearful. It is possible to pass on a timid nature through generations. This genetic predisposition may contribute to a generalized fear of strangers but not of any particular group.

Socialization is also important in helping your puppy feel comfortable around various people, animals, and environments. If you miss this crucial period of education, it can lead to unfounded fears as an adult. If your dog didn’t learn that people with beards were nice as a puppy, it would be less likely to accept them in adulthood. Socializing dogs is possible at any age. However, progress will be slower if you start with an older dog.

Dogs can also develop fears due to traumas they experienced early on. You can give your dog the best training and accommodations by understanding the cause of their fear!

How to help your dog overcome their fear

It’s fine if your dog isn’t a social butterfly. But it’s vital for their health that they aren’t living with anxiety and fear. It’s important to help them reduce their anxiety to handle stressful situations without losing their cool.

Counterconditioning is the most popular method for dealing with these fears. In a controlled, safe environment, dogs afraid of something are exposed. This is similar to how humans undergo exposure therapy. They are then given positive stimuli so that they begin to associate the trigger with a positive emotion instead of a bad one.

If your dog fears strangers, invite a friend they’ve never met into your home. Avoid direct eye contact and have your friend ignore the dog. This can be a dangerous behavior for dogs.

Your friend can then begin dropping high-value treats to the floor so your pet will realize that this stranger is not threatening and, even better, a food source. Once they are comfortable, you can try this technique with new people or in different environments.

A professional dog trainer can help you develop the right action plan for your dog. It is important to seek professional help if your dog has extreme fears or exhibits aggressive behaviors when threatened. They can help you and your dog overcome their fears using various safe training methods for all involved.

You can also manage your dog’s behavior in these situations with good obedience training. You can redirect your dog if they always respond when you call them.

Do not force your dog to go faster than he or she is comfortable. This will only increase their anxiety as they associate more frightening experiences with those who trigger them. You can train your dog with lots of positive reinforcement. Your dog will be more confident, courageous, and trustworthy than ever.