Dog training - training the shy or fearful puppy or dog To Learn More About Dog Training, Go To http://howtohousetraindog.com/go/dog-training http://howtohousetraindog.com/go/theonlinedogtrainer

2. Dog training
Training the shy or fearful puppy or dog

3. With dogs as with people, some dogs and puppies are naturally more
bold and daring than others. When you watch a group of puppies
play, it will quickly become apparent which ones are bold and which
ones are shy. Someofthepuppieswillhangbackattheedgeofthe
pack, perhaps fearful of angering the stronger dogs, while others will
jumprightintothefrayandstartjostlingforcontrol.

4. Working with a shy puppy or dog, or one that is fearful, presents its
own special challenges. Of course bold, forceful dogs present
challenges of their own, especially with control and leadership issues.
Everytypeofpuppyordoghasitsownuniquepersonality,anditsown
uniquetrainingchallengesasaresult.

5. Oneimportantreasontobuildconfidenceinafearfuldogistoprevent
biting. High fear dogs often become biters to deal with their fear of
new situations, and this type of fear response can be dangerous for
youandyourdog.Itisimportanttoteachthepuppyor dogthatnew
situations and new people are nothing to fear, and that they are not
outtohurthim.

6. Signs of fear in both puppies and dogs include being afraid of
strangers,beingleeryofnewsituations,andavoidingcertainpeopleor
objects.Afearfulpuppyordogmayalsosnaporbite,especiallywhen
cornered.

7. Ifyourecognizesignsoffearinyour dogor puppy,itisimportant to
act quickly. Fear responses can quickly become ingrained in a dog,
and once those fear memories are planted they can be difficult to
erase.Properlysocializingayoungpuppyisessentialtomakingsure
yourdogisnotfearful,andwillnotbecomeafearbiter.Manypuppies
are raised as only dogs, but even these puppies should be given the
opportunity to play with other puppies, and with well socialized older
dogs and friendly cats as well. The more novel situations the puppy
encounters when he is young, the better he will be able to adapt to
newsituationsasanadultdog.

8. Adapting to new and changing situations is a vital life skill that every
puppymustlearn.Asyouknow,theworldisconstantlychangingand
adapting,anditisvitalthatbothyouandyourfourleggedcompanion
learntotakethesechangesinstride.

9. Itisimportantforownerstonotinadvertentlyreinforceorrewardshy
or fearful behaviors. For instance, when a puppy or dog shows fear,
bywhining,cryingorhiding,itisonlynaturalfortheownertogoover
and reassure the dog. This type of reassurance, however, can be
misinterpreted by the animal as a sign of approval from the pack
leader.

10. When the dog or puppy displays fearful or shy behavior, the best
strategyissimplytoignorehim.Thedogmustbeabletolearnonhis
ownthatthereisnothingtofear.Ifleftalone,adogwilloftenstartto
explore the fearful object on his own, thereby learning that the initial
fearreactionwasmistaken.Theownermustallowthedogtoexplore
thingsonhisown,andnottrytocoddleoroverprotecthim.

11. Another reason for fear reactions, particularly in older dogs, is past
abuseorlackofpropersocializationaspuppies.Thewindowforgood
puppysocializationisrelativelyshort,andoncethiswindowhasclosed
itcanbedifficult toteacha doghow tosocializewithdogsandother
animals. Likewise,adogthathasbeenabusedprobablyhasallsorts
of negative associations, and it is up to a patient owner to work with
the dog to replace those fear reactions with more appropriate
responses.

12. When working with an older fearful dog, it is important not to try to
rushthesocializationandfearabatementprocess.Itisbesttosimply
allowthedogtoexplorethingsonhisown,evenifitmeanshespends
a lot of time hiding from the perceived monster. Trying to force the
dogtoconfrontthethingshefearswilldomoreharmthangood.

13. Itisalsoimportanttoaddressalreadyingrainedfearbasedbehaviors,
such as biting, snapping and growling, whether they result from past
abuse,alackofsocializationoracombinationoffactors.Ifthedog is
frightened and reacts defensively to strangers, it is important to
introduce him slowly. It is important to correct these potentially
dangerous behaviors, however, and teach the dog that fear is no
excuseforgrowling,snappingorbiting.Thebestwaytodothisisto
immediately reprimand and correct the dog when he bites, snaps or
growlsatanyone.

14. Thedogshouldbegenerouslyrewardedtheminuteitstopsdisplaying
aggressivebehavior.Ifyoudofindyourselfhavingtoreprimandyour
dog for displaying aggressive behaviors, it probably means you have
tried to move him along too quickly. It is important to avoid
threatening situations as much as possible until the dog has built up
theconfidenceittakestodealwiththosesituations.Ifyouthinkyou
havemovedtoofast,takeafewstepsbackandletthedogregainhis
confidence.

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