Often, dogs may begin to fear objects, people, and noises. Fearful behavior might progress into destructive behaviors, urinating or defecating in the house, or unwanted growling or snapping. We call this fear biting. During a storm, a dog might even cause himself injury.
Act Soon
Desensitizing their phobias long before problems can arise is a must. If not, then the situation will likely get worse. One thing that may cause your dog to fear people outside of the family might be lack of proper socialization. Unfamiliar encounters might be met with an unwelcome growl or bite, or your dog might hide from them altogether.
One excuse that is commonly used for this type of inappropriate behavior is that the animal was likely abused before the current owner adopted him. This may in fact be true in some cases. Yet, for the majority this is not the reason.
Causes of Fear
So, what causes dogs to fear people? Acquainting him with cordial human experiences at a young age was lacking. Deal with this behavior before biting becomes an issue. Getting aid from an animal behaviorist is a vital step once any sign of fear-related aggression appears.
Delivery trucks, thunder, and other loud noises are other common causes of fear in dogs. Comforting your dog throughout these situations might increase the behavior. Also, confining them to a crate is not addressing the fear in and of itself.
Overcoming Fear
Be sure that you do not reward actions of an inappropriate nature with praise or treats. Rather, ensure that you are rewarding good behaviors, like responding to a command while the noises are happening. You might make a recording of the unpleasant sounds and play it lowly as you praise him and reward him with treats and play.
The issues with attending fears of noise is that it may not be simply the sound which is triggering the fear. Desensitization of the whole scenario is crucial for the dog. Beginning playing versions of the noises more softly is a beneficial beginning.
It would likely pay off to consult with a behavior specialist, and asking your veterinarian if a prescription of anti-anxiety medication would help your pet as you work toward modifying the behavior.
Whether or not abuse is a culprit in the fearful behavior, phobias of objects most likely begin as a result of an unfortunate experience while the dog was around said object. The most successful way to handle this issue is to desensitize your dog while you reward appropriate behavior. You should establish and practice basic obedience training as you slowly introduce your dog to the object he fears.
Once again, if these fears are tended to as early as possible, your dog will likely have a prosperous rehabilitation. You can receive an unbiased opinion of the root of your pet’s anxieties from a behavior specialist. He can then produce resolutions which can aid in keeping from upsetting your household.
