What fear and anxiety look like in a dog

Not Addressing Fear/Anxiety Issues
There are a lot of behavioral problems that can stem from fear. When fear and anxiety aren’t addressed they are often overlooked because we often feel bad for our dog and unknowingly encourage that state of mind instead of helping the through it.

  • Tail tucking
  • Ears pinned back
  • Hair raised on center of back
  • Cowering or hiding
  • Pacing
  • Small dogs jumping to be picked up
  • Whining
  • Seeming unsettled
  • Following you from room to room
  • Growling
  • Turning away from thing’s
  • Body really stiff

Do you know how a dog that has fear or anxiety looks like? Familiarize yourself with the signs of fear and anxiety. When you do this you are able to begin the process of helping your dog live in a world that isn’t so scary. When you ignore this problem, it grows to a bigger one… one that is often seen as aggression.

Dog’s rarely can overcome this state on their own. They need someone to guide them, to lead them to a new state of being. Don’t expect your dog to go from being scared or anxious to being a confident outgoing pup overnight. Also know that your dog may never be that dog However you can expect, through taking small steps, to see a dramatic improvement.

Be patient not only with your pup, but yourself. This is a re building process that has to have the foundation laid brick by brick! You can’t put a roof on without the walls, the walls cannot be there with out the foundation.

Here are a couple small things that you can change that will help long term. Don’t pick your dog up (small dog’s), or comfort them when they are scared or anxious. By doing that you are only rewarding that behavior or state of mind. This can also start to create a state of being fearful because they know that they get that reward.