how can i help my Scared Dog?

Give your scared dog a safe start

Imagine never being able to relax. Imagine being scared for most of your waking hours. This is how some fearful dogs may feel.

A scared dog is always tense, either trying to hide to avoid being seen or becoming reactive, barking, or acting aggressively because the dog doesn’t know how to handle its own fear. Regardless, we need to help our little pup feel secure.

A Dog Afraid of Other Dogs and Cars
All dogs are different and have unique personalities. Therefore, it doesn’t matter much if your dog is afraid of cars, adults, children, or other dogs. The key is that your dog is unsure of their place in your family, which creates insecurity, stress, and fear.

Finding Harmony in Your Family with Your Scared Dog
The focus should be on finding harmony in your family by letting your dog know that you are taking care of them. You guide them on life’s journey, and with a good amount of patience, without shouting, violence, or gadgets, you can have a confident dog rather than a fearful one.

Step One – Invite Your Dog to Come to You
If your dog is already fearful and backs away when you try to make contact, I suggest you let your scared dog decide when you should interact.

As soon as your dog peeks out, for example, in the kitchen, have a treat ready and invite your dog to come to you. If they don’t approach, wait for the next opportunity. Do not approach your scared dog, but let them come to you when you call them.

Should I Take a Walk with My Scared Dog?
What about walks? You don’t need to wait for the dog to invite you. Instead, calmly put the leash on your dog without making eye contact, talking, or touching them. Let your dog relieve itself just outside the door on a patch of grass, then go back inside. If your dog is very scared, taking them for a walk won’t help—they need rest and to build trust with you, and that’s best done in your home.

Step Two – Protect Your Dog from Strangers and Other Dogs
If your dog is afraid of other dogs, the next step is to build trust when you’re around other dogs. I recommend not allowing your fearful dog to meet other dogs until you feel their fear has lessened. Why? Because we, as humans, can’t enjoy the company of others if we’re not feeling well, and neither can they.

Forget About Exercising and Stimulating Your Scared Dog
Forget about stimulating or exercising your dog because, like humans, it’s impossible to stimulate or exercise an already stressed body—it just builds more stress.

Guests – Take Responsibility for Your Scared Dog
How would you feel if someone came up and patted your head without asking? A scared dog finds it very difficult to deal with guests and strangers on the street who stop and pat its head. Fortunately, they don’t bite as often.

Take responsibility for your dog and set boundaries regarding when others are allowed to pet your fearful dog. Your dog will thank you for letting them be left alone. This is especially important when it comes to children, as they haven’t learned how to interact with dogs, particularly a dog that is afraid of children.

Give Your Scared Dog a Safe Start with Amichien® Bonding
The same instructions apply for dogs that are afraid of cars or people. Training at home, and then gradually introducing them to all the cars outside, is the way to go. A very fearful dog with a lot of stress in its body needs you to learn its language.

The Amichien® Bonding method provides you with an amazing start, without being a quick fix. Contact me if you need help with your scared dog and give it the safe life it deserves.