Just like humans, our dogs can develop what we believe to be fears. This could be something as little as not wanting to go down the stairs or fearing a spray bottle or hose or something as large as fearing the car, baths or other dogs.
Regardless of what has happened in your dog’s past or whatever has caused this behaviour, this can be easily fixed. All it requires is a strong pack leader and confidence. If you’ve followed our previous tips on how to correctly enforce being the pack leader and how to show natural dogmanship then overcoming these fears with your pooch will be a piece of cake!
The first thing you need to make sure is that you are correctly walking your dog and you are making 100% sure that you are not encouraging this fear. You may be doing this without realising.
For example; if your pet is fearful, aggressive, shy, nervous etc when another dog is approaching you whilst on the walk, you must continue to walk as you have been prior to meeting this dog, make sure your behaviour and energy does not change. Continue to walk as if that dog isn’t there. Something as little as adding more tension to your lead or pulling your dog closer to you is sending the message to your dog that what is approaching is a danger and you are fearful so they need to protect you from this, or that they also need to fear what is approaching and try to avoid the situation all together. Continue moving as if you never even saw the other dog, make sure your lead is kept in the same position and that you are calm and confident. Your dog will quickly follow your lead and listen to his pack leader.
If there is a structure or item that your dog fears, make sure you continually encourage them to overcome this. If your dog fears going up or down steps, don’t allow them a way to avoid this. If your dog doesn’t want to climb the stairs, do not carry them. You are only encouraging this behaviour by doing this. Continually walk your dog up and down the stairs, confidently on lead and reward them ONLY once they have reached the top (or bottom) of the stairs. Be sure to see our ‘Right time to Reward’ blog to make sure you are not using treats as a way to get your dog to overcome their fear. By using a treat at the start of your training you are again only rewarding this bad behaviour. You must only reward your dog once they have completed the desired task, this can be simply with cuddles and attention or with treats. When approaching your dog’s ‘fear’ make sure you continue along your path as if that situation isn’t there. If your beginning to slow down, hesitate or even stop and make a big deal out of the situation, you are only reminding them there is a problem to begin with. Approach the stairs and walk up them as if you are not even walking your dog. If they put the brakes on, give a gentle pull on the lead in a calm assertive manner and continue walking.
Once your dog realises they are able to safely have a bath, travel in the car or walk up and down the stairs it will simply become habit and regular behaviour and the ‘fear’ that you thought was once there will disappear.
Regardless of what has happened in your dog’s past or whatever has caused this behaviour, this can be easily fixed. All it requires is a strong pack leader and confidence. If you’ve followed our previous tips on how to correctly enforce being the pack leader and how to show natural dogmanship then overcoming these fears with your pooch will be a piece of cake!
The first thing you need to make sure is that you are correctly walking your dog and you are making 100% sure that you are not encouraging this fear. You may be doing this without realising.
For example; if your pet is fearful, aggressive, shy, nervous etc when another dog is approaching you whilst on the walk, you must continue to walk as you have been prior to meeting this dog, make sure your behaviour and energy does not change. Continue to walk as if that dog isn’t there. Something as little as adding more tension to your lead or pulling your dog closer to you is sending the message to your dog that what is approaching is a danger and you are fearful so they need to protect you from this, or that they also need to fear what is approaching and try to avoid the situation all together. Continue moving as if you never even saw the other dog, make sure your lead is kept in the same position and that you are calm and confident. Your dog will quickly follow your lead and listen to his pack leader.
If there is a structure or item that your dog fears, make sure you continually encourage them to overcome this. If your dog fears going up or down steps, don’t allow them a way to avoid this. If your dog doesn’t want to climb the stairs, do not carry them. You are only encouraging this behaviour by doing this. Continually walk your dog up and down the stairs, confidently on lead and reward them ONLY once they have reached the top (or bottom) of the stairs. Be sure to see our ‘Right time to Reward’ blog to make sure you are not using treats as a way to get your dog to overcome their fear. By using a treat at the start of your training you are again only rewarding this bad behaviour. You must only reward your dog once they have completed the desired task, this can be simply with cuddles and attention or with treats. When approaching your dog’s ‘fear’ make sure you continue along your path as if that situation isn’t there. If your beginning to slow down, hesitate or even stop and make a big deal out of the situation, you are only reminding them there is a problem to begin with. Approach the stairs and walk up them as if you are not even walking your dog. If they put the brakes on, give a gentle pull on the lead in a calm assertive manner and continue walking.
Once your dog realises they are able to safely have a bath, travel in the car or walk up and down the stairs it will simply become habit and regular behaviour and the ‘fear’ that you thought was once there will disappear.
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