Riggs has extremely expressive eyes, he’s an easy read. Tail is down but not tucked, he’s just weirded out.
Today we were at the park and like I often do, we ventured off the beaten path which took us somewhere new. There were a ton of new scents for Elsa and Riggs to explore; and they ended up doing some serious scent work on a specific picnic table. After they had sniffed, sniffed, sniffed and sniffed again I asked Riggs to jump up on the table. Once he was up I could see that he wasn’t comfortable there so I rewarded him and told him to get off.
He calmly got off, he didn’t panic bolt.
After this happened I had to assess my next step. If a dog won’t go near something, running away or seriously backing up and barking; then we don’t ask them to go see the thing. At that point you go as close as your dog is comfortable and toss treats away from the scary thing. IF, you lure them to the scary thing with a yummy treat; they will more than likely go but once they’ve had their treat, they bolt. So it’s not a good way to go about it.
There are so many factors when dealing with fear. We definitely never want to drag your dog to something that they are afraid of. But you must consider many things before creating a plan to help your dog.
First
How scared is you dog? Are they just uncomfortable like Riggs? Or are they panic stricken?
What type of temperament does your dog have? Are they usually brave or typically a scared sort of dog?
How long has the dog had the fear?
Do you have access to this particular fear?
How do you feel about the fear that your dog is exhibiting?
The first thing that is required when your dog is exhibiting a fear is to check yourself. How are you responding to their fear reaction? What is required is calm, stable and reliable behaviors from us. Our dog’s look to us for our response to things, especially when they are afraid.
His ears said everything here. He was listening intently incase one of the critters who’s scent he smelled was around somewhere.
Starting to relax here but still looking around.
Having seen both Elsa and Riggs in full on scenting mode at the table; I assumed that there had been lots of critters on it. With this information and the fact that when Riggs went up onto the table, he was much closer to the canopy above, creeped him out. I could see it happening, but knew that it wasn’t a huge fear, he was just weirded out. I hadn’t lured him onto the table, just asked him like I often do at parks. It has been a confidence building exercise for him.
I immediately got into my super chill mode and asked him to get up again. Lots of treats and he started to relax. But the important thing is that I didn’t make him stay there. He was up, treated and off. THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT. And the fact that there wasn’t anything particular that he was scared of, just the abundance of creature scents and the tree canopy.
Riggs has been a scared sort of guy his whole life. He needs a lot of life experience and repetition of me supporting and protecting him. We have a huge bond of trust between us; but if we didn’t, he would not have gone up on the table. It takes a great many exposures to show him that there is nothing to be afraid of.
Same tree, still scenting. This was an area that obviously had lots of critters around. Tail at half mast, cautious but not concerned.
Riggs’ tail is up, this is a different tree but same area. Elsa’s is down, she’s not worried just very serious about her scenting.
If a fear is extremely serious in nature, then your course of action must be much slower and more careful. You NEVER want to put your dog in a position where they have blindly followed a food lure to the scary thing. Once the food is gone they are now right there at the scary thing.
This is a common way that people try to help dogs that don’t want to meet new people and it can and will backfire. I’ve seen it happen many times. “Here give him a treat” the guardian says. The dog reaches out to the maximum extension to grab the treat and retreats in terror once the food is gone.
Instead WE, the guardian should toss the treat away from the scary person if the dog seems to become a little more comfortable or interested in the new person. Don’t give it to the scary person to offer.
Slow and steady wins the race.
Fear is a big deal and assisting your dog through it takes some know how. Just remember, never, ever, EVER force try to cajole or convince your dog that it is not scary when it is a serious fear. Fear is another reason that knowing who your dog is very, very important.
Questions?