Reward-based techniques are the method of choice when dealing with fearful dogs. If you have a dog who’s a little afraid of or doesn’t like people, you need to find a way to get this message across to the dog: “Hey, buddy, I like you. If you’ll just come close, I’ll give you a bit of food or a toy.” Using food as a lure is an effective way to communicate when the dog is afraid of your voice or physical contact (in which case you cannot praise or pat), and it’s easy to toss a piece of food to the ground close by. Eventually, the dog will come closer, lured by the food first on the ground and then in your hand.
Make sure that your dog is extremely interested in food by starting this exercise well before mealtimes or as a substitute for them. Sit in an armchair and scatter food around you (or a friend). Your dog can approach and retreat as she likes. As she comes closer, she gets the food, and as she runs off, she gets nothing. Once she is more interested in the food (this may take some time depending on how fearful your dog is with a particular person, so it’s best to focus on proximity first), you can take the food and talk gently to the dog in the language she has learned: come, sit, and down. This in itself is like a behavioral pacifier and will accelerate the bonding process. That is, if your dog is confident in her understanding of what is expected when asked to sit or lie down, her overall confidence may improve. This clarity means that it is easier for the dog to remain calm and focused on what to do to get a treat.
A Tiny Touch Can Lead to So Much!
Teaching your dog to hand target is an invaluable aid in resolving fear is- sues. The more she is rewarded for touching her nose to the hand of a variety of people, the more her confidence in and enthusiasm for people will improve.
If you think your dog is fearful, stressed, or worried, for your dog’s sake please work on this problem before it worsens. Being anxious is no fun. If your dog has any kind of aggression problem, seek help from a professional trainer immediately (call 800-PET-DOGS or go to www.apdt.com).
Don’t Be an Overprotective Owner!
Avoid being overly protective of your puppy or dog, especially if you have a little dog. More often than not, overprotectiveness creates or exacerbates fear and aggression problems.