What to do with a dog that is afraid of everything

Considered man’s best friend, dogs are symbols of companionship and loyalty. As if that were not enough, they are often chosen as guard dogs, guarding homes and protecting their guardians. Therefore, it is not surprising that many new owners are surprised to find a fearful dog in their home.

Be aware that this can happen to many pets, even large and strong pets that scare many people!

Fear in dogs is not just a personality trait; it is a behavioral disorder that can lead to social difficulties, aggressiveness, and more.

To prevent this from happening, let’s find out the causes of fear and how to help a scared dog?

Why do some dogs have fear?

Just like us humans, who are all different, dogs have different temperaments, which, in turn, can lead to more or less fearful behavior. This applies even to individuals of the same breed!

However, the factors that most influence courage (or lack thereof) are mainly related to the pet’s history and upbringing. Among the causes of dog fear that experts point out the most, we can mention:

• Traumas: mainly during childhood, dogs go through significant experiences that will be essential in adulthood. If the pet has any trauma or a very big scare during this period, it will have an influence throughout its life;
• Lack of socialization in childhood: while the pet is still a puppy, it is important to introduce it to different types of people, dogs, environments, and situations. If the pet grows up in a very limited environment, it will be wary of new experiences and react with fear whenever it encounters something unusual,
• Inconsistent training: contrary to what many think, setting rules for the dog and being consistent with them does not cause suffering to the pet. On the contrary! By clearly understanding what it can or cannot do, the dog becomes much more secure and confident, becoming less fearful and anxious.

As mentioned earlier, factors such as breed and genetic heritage can also influence. After all, a dog raised to be a guard, like the Lhasa Apso, tends to be braver than a companion dog, like the Shih-Tzu.

However, it is mainly the upbringing that will determine the dog’s behavior. The good news is that, in many cases, fear can be overcome through training!

How to tell if your pet is fearful

Dogs are territorial, and they can act impulsively if they feel their space has been invaded. So, it is normal for your friend to hide when visitors arrive.

Also, not knowing the origin of certain events, it is understandable that they may be afraid of loud sounds, such as fireworks. On the other hand, if fear is hindering the pet’s coexistence, generating aggression or causing physical harm, perhaps your friend needs help. So, some warning signs are:

• The dog hides whenever it faces a different situation;
• Barks incessantly at visitors;
• Growls at strangers or at the owner;
• Retreats or walks close to the wall;
• Gets very agitated and trembles,
• Threatens to attack.

If your pet shows one or more of the above symptoms, maybe it’s time to consult a professional and seek treatment. In addition to hindering the pet’s socialization, exaggerated fear causes a high level of stress and can harm its health.

How to help a fearful dog

Realized that you live with a fearful dog? Don’t worry. There are ways to alleviate the problem and make your pet calmer and healthier. The most commonly used method is contact with the element that makes it afraid. But beware! This must be done very carefully.

Gradually and in a controlled way, expose the dog to the situation that scares it. It is important that this be done gradually, respecting the pet’s reaction.

If the process is not done correctly, the fear can become even greater, and worse: terror can extend to other things and people. The dog may, for example, come to fear also those who subjected it to a stressful situation.

An essential tip on how to calm a fearful dog is to associate the fear situation with a reward: a treat, a caress, or a game. This way, little by little, the pet’s memory will get used to that situation, and it will feel more comfortable and confident.

Stay nearby but do not force interaction. Not all dogs want to be held or touched during stressful situations. Therefore, observe your dog’s behavior and avoid pulling or grabbing it against its will. Let it show what you can do to help.

Fearful Puppies

If the dog is still a puppy, it will probably be afraid of many things. But, if you adopt certain practices with the pet from an early age, it may grow up bolder.

For example: fireworks, thunder, and other loud noises are always a problem for most dogs and guardians. So try to get your friend used to these noises.

Dogs learn a lot by observation, so if they see that everyone in the house deals normally with storms, they will realize that there is nothing to fear. Another practice that helps is to distract the dog during the event, with treats or games.

This way, it probably won’t notice the noise and won

‘t have terrifying memories in the future.

In case of doubt, seek help

When you realize that your pet is showing signs of fear, the help of a professional is always welcome. By identifying what triggers the pet’s insecurity, they will be able to guide you on the best practices.

And remember: as intelligent as dogs are and seem to understand us very well, they do not always completely understand the situation.

So, if you get angry with the dog during a fear crisis, it will only make it more frightened. Instead, try to help your pet through affection and acceptance.