Help for Your Fearful Dog

Habituation
Although habituation is not included in the programs that follow, as the owner of a fearful dog it is something of which you should be aware. Through habituation, a dog becomes more comfortable with a trigger simply through repeated exposures. Let’s say a dog is nervous around unfamiliar people because she is confined to the back yard and the family does not get many visitors. If the fear is mild, it might be overcome by nothing more than taking the dog on daily walks. The frequent, consistent exposure would allow the dog to habituate to the presence of unfamiliar people and, eventually, she would no longer fear them.

where something frightens your dog, you will call his name. Once his attention is focused on you, you will ask for another behavior that will either give him something to focus on, allow you to move him out of the area safely, or do whatever is appropriate at the time. With practice and patience, something wonderful will happen: Rather than becoming reactive or running away when your dog feels threatened, he will anticipate your request for attention, and will begin to look to you automatically.
Attention means communication, and communication means successful behavior modification!

Teaching Touch
Stand facing your dog. She should be sitting, facing you. If she does not yet know how to sit when asked, she may lie down or stand instead. Hold a few treats in one hand behind your back. With a small motion, extend the empty hand, flat with palm-down, toward your dog. Stop approximately two inches below and slightly to the side of her nose; keep the hand still (see Figure 1). Due to the innate canine need to investigate, most dogs will immediately sniff an offered hand. If your dog does not, rub a bit of strong-smelling treat on the back of your fingers and try again.
At the exact moment your dog’s nose touches your hand, say, “Yes!” and reward her with a treat and praise (see Figures 2 and 3). Just make sure your dog is moving her nose to touch your hand and not the other way around!