7 Steps To Build Confidence In Your Dog
From petrified pooch to confident canine – In seven simple steps
Oh Fido. It’s tough to see him
frightened and not really have a clue as to how to help (or what he’s even
scared of). From jumping at the slightest sound to following you EVERYWHERE,
and showing tell-tale signs of fear (such as a dropped tail, crouching and
panting), it’s always pretty clear when you’ve got a nervy canine on your hands.
The question is, what can you do
about it? And the answer is to follow these seven simple tips.
1: Begin with firm foundations – set up good obedience during walks
Sit, stay, heel – these are the
basic commands that your dog should know (and obey) during your walks. These
cues, and the consequent treats that follow (such as being handed a ball or
toy) are essential distraction techniques for when you spot a hazard looming.
Speaking of which…
2: Worried during walks? Distract your dog
A cautious, concerned canine
during a walk can lead to disaster around other dogs or unpredictable people.
The solution? Distraction. By giving your dog something to do while walking
(like chewing a bone or carrying your bag), you give him something to focus on.
In doing so, he’ll hopefully remain distracted on what he’s ‘doing’, rather
than what may happen (and being hyper-sensitive to all that’s around).
3: Switch items from scary, to something to salivate over
If your dog is scared of certain
items, try ‘exposure management’. This might sound rather technical (and a
little intimidating), but it’s actually really straightforward.
Simply take the item that your
dog is afraid of, and place something on it that your dog loves (treats usually
work best!). So if Sammy’s scared of skateboards, place a few treats on the top
and encourage him to explore. Once he’s comfortable with that, move on to
pushing the skateboard slightly (with items such as this, which are common in
parks) it’s usually the movement that dogs are uncomfortable with. Remember,
with exposure management – slow and steady wins the race.
4: Seek out fresh new places where your dog can taste success
Practicing and repeating problem
behaviors only reinforce them. Staying cooped up inside isn’t helpful for
anyone – not for humans, not for dogs. Getting out and about to new places can
allow your dog to explore, and be fascinated, by the new smells and sights
around him.
This may not necessarily mean a
walk in a forest (some dogs aren’t comfortable out in the Great outdoors); it
may mean a late-night wander in a dead-quiet park. But no matter the
environment, it’s the newness of the place that will encourage his innate
curiosity to explore.
5: Sign up for agility training
Agility training involves plenty
of physical effort and dexterity on the dog’s part. And yet agility isn’t
really the key skills being learned.
By showing them how to complete
new tasks, and with your dog gradually working towards getting it right every
time, their trust in you grows and their confidence in their own abilities
increases. With each tunnel, pole or hoop successfully navigated, they’ll learn
that what once seemed insurmountable, can be mastered. And so their confidence
will (hopefully) grow and grow.
6: Have a trial run with another dog
For dogs that don’t fear (or show
aggression) to other dogs, a more confident canine pal can prove to be a real
behavior-changer.
After all, dogs (much like
humans) observe the actions and interactions of others, and can mirror
behaviors that they come to see as appropriate.
A key pointer here is that some
companionships are more effective than others, and it may take a few trial play
dates to discover a dog that’s a natural, positive fit with yours.
7: Harness the targeting technique
Targeting is the practice of
touching a specific part of your dog’s body to re-direct his attention to you.
This becomes more effective than simply calling his name during a frightening
experience, as it’s used less often.
To train him, hold a treat in
your hand. Once he begins to sniff around it, say ”nose” and pass him his
treat. Regularly practicing this will show your dog that bumping his nose on
your hand, and giving you his focus, will result in a yummy treat being given.
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This article by Jennifer is
originally published at FOMO Bones.
Author bio: Jennifer is the voice
behind the FOMO Bones blog. She's pretty sure in her past life, she was a Great
Dane. However, we peg her as more of a labrador. Regardless of her breed, she's
a dog enthusiast who has 15 years experience training dogs and owners.