Handling Puppy Fear

Handling puppy fear is how you react as well as how your puppy reacts. When a puppy is afraid of something, how we handle the situation is crucial. It’s normal for puppies to be unsure about certain things, but our reactions to their uncertainty are key. Use an empowerment word like “yes.” All puppies from Match Dot Pup are trained with this word as positive encouragement.

Avoid Reinforcing Fear

Treating your puppy like a human by using baby talk, saying “that’s okay,” picking them up, and consoling them only reinforces unwanted behavior. Puppies sense your emotions, and if you act worried or concerned, it creates negativity and reinforces their fear, making them believe the situation is truly dangerous. If you’re uncertain about what fear looks like in dogs, check out the following article on recognizing body language associated with fear.

Addressing Unrealistic Fears

This article focuses on unrealistic fears, such as being afraid of a vacuum, the sound of a garbage bag opening, or a door closing from the wind. Our puppies are raised to believe in their abilities and to trust us. When your puppy experiences an unrealistic fear, remain calm and composed. Use the “yes” empowerment word, encourage them to investigate or redirect their attention (forward momentum is powerful), and desensitize them to the object/noise over the next several weeks using treats and praise.

Desensitizing Your Puppy

Desensitizing involves presenting the frightening stimulus in a way that appears less intimidating, keeping your puppy under threshold so they can function and learn. Expose your puppy to the smallest version of the frightening stimulus, just enough for them to be aware of it without causing fear. For example, if your puppy is afraid of a vacuum, place it in a room they have access to. When they no longer react to its presence, move it to another room. Place treats near the vacuum while it is off, gradually moving them closer until they are on the vacuum itself. This will help your dog associate the vacuum with positive experiences. You may need to gently encourage your dog to approach the vacuum and take the treat. Once they are comfortable, briefly turn it on and off while they are in the room. Gradually increase the exposure by moving it around while it’s on, tossing treats to maintain a positive experience. Continue this process in different rooms, ensuring your puppy remains under threshold.

Building Positive Experiences

You will need many positive experiences over several weeks to counteract the negative ones. With patience and consistent positive reinforcement, your puppy will overcome their unrealistic fears and grow into a confident and well-adjusted dog.