You know it's coming because it happens every time you walk past the trash can, fire hydrant or near the storm drain. Your dog Freaks Out!! Or does this "Wig Out" your dog; that strange thing flapping around that turns out to be just a grocery bag caught in the bushes?!!
To us, these situations are no big deal but to a timid or cautious dog, it's terrifying! That's why it is critical to get your puppies out early in life to see the World. Great! So people take their pups out and about but still end up with Spooked dogs.
This is because the problem just doesn't fix itself without completely getting your dog comfortable around the "Scary" event. Now you have an emotional problem that goes unresolved because people go through the motions, literally, by moving past quickly, thinking it's over....until the next time. Not overcoming fear can be problematic, meaning an unsafe dog.
What does Socialization really mean? Everyone has different opinions, here's mine: Socialization is not just meeting and being petted by 300 people and kids. Socialization is exposing your dog to something or an event that may be scary at first but then the pup overcomes their fear by making a conscious effort to cope, accept and tolerate the experience.
Help your dog learn to have coping skills. You can do this with food or play in those Scary moments. I call it the "Mind Shift". You are not rewarding being afraid, you are helping your dog think about something else. And remember every dog is different so it may take a while to help them.
Be prepared on your next outing or even in your home. Tell your dog or puppy what is scaring them. Let them look at it or check it out. Redirect your dog to focus on you; Use food or a Toy. Turn being scared into a rewarding, positive, feeling. Doing this will make the World a little less Scary.
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Out of the DogHouse LLC website www.ohiodogtrainer.net
Contact Dru Therrian 440.286.9070
dog want to "Hightail it Out of Dodge"?
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