How Do Dogs Express Fear?

It's fairly obvious when a dog is scared. He will cower, avoid looking at the person or animal causing the fear, or tuck his tail between his legs and shake. He may back away from anything he feels is a threat to him. He will also assume the submissive role, knowing he has no power over the dominant figure.

Dog fear can be a major problem if it is a friend, relative, or neighbor that elicits fear in your pet. The male voice is a common trigger of dog fear, but if gradually exposed to the sound and if that person isn't acting solely as a disciplinarian, the problem should not be long-term.

Sadly, dog fear can be a life or death problem for a dog that is at the pound looking for a new home. Potential new owners may be perceived as a threat to the dog and will be scared off by the dog's reserved behavior. Pet owners look for lively, fun, and affectionate animals. Even though a scared dog can be all of those things too, at times, it won't come through because it will be masked by their fear.

What is the Cause of Dog Fear?

A single impression or incidence can cause dogs to fear a certain noise, smell, animal or type of person. For example, if the dog has had one or more experiences with kids treating him badly (tugging on his ears, pulling his tail, and choking the dog are common behaviors from small children), he will remember that and be fearful towards the next kid he meets, even if it isn't the same kid.

How to Reduce Fear in Dogs

Socializing the dog is the best way to reduce his fear. Though it is best done when he is a puppy, an older dog can be trained with some assistance. Introduce the dog to many types of environments and people as early on as you can.

Other methods include behavior modification, creating a safe place for the dog to retreat to, and distracting the dog. Identify what triggers the fear and work with him on it. Expose the dog to the things he fears in low doses and reward him for being courageous, and soon, dog fear will be a thing of the past.