Discover how to make your dog feel safe – Learn to have a dog without fear
Your dog will have certain built-in instincts that go back generations to his ancestors, the wolf. To keep his pet from being afraid, he needs him to be comfortable and familiar with everything on his level and what he can find in his world.
If you practice good socialization skills when your dog is a puppy, you will produce a well-adjusted dog that views strangers and unfamiliar obstacles as safe. A good relationship with his owner will cement this belief and is essential for your dog to feel safe. If he trusts you as an owner, then he is more likely to trust other humans. It is not rocket science that you can say the same about your children when you raise them, if you raise them with respect for their peers, you will have a respectful child. There is no difference in this regard at least.
Positive training and owner education will ensure that you can reinforce any worries or concerns your dog may have. You need to protect your dog from bad experiences, and as an owner, you need to make sure your dog is safe and comfortable, even in the most tense situations.
With a dog that has gone through early socialization, or on the opposite end of the spectrum if the dog has had previous bad experiences, as an owner you need to learn to read your dog’s body language and keep him away from anything that might scare him. Use toys to desensitize the dog to anything that he may feel is threatening or that may make him anxious. The toys will replace any negative feelings with a positive experience for the dog.
If you have a dog that is aggressive in nature, then you should seek the help of a professional pet behaviorist who will be able to accurately diagnose your dog and then give you a plan to follow and prepare for treatment to change your dog’s behavior. They can also give you a plan if your dog is not aggressive but could be without proper training and care.
Dogs will only use aggression when they have no other choice, for example if they are cornered on a leash they cannot use their run away option so they have no choice. If a threat appears too suddenly, a dog may resort to biting. It is essential that you use the proper positive training to ensure that your dog is a happy dog.
