07/06/2024
Dogs who are full on, pushy, rude, and even possessive require consistent training and leadership that educates the dog on appropriate behaviour
The majority of owners and trainers understand this and agree.
What owners and even some trainers fail to understand is that sensitive and fearful dogs also require consistent training and leadership. Without guidance their anxiety is likely to increase.
Sensitive, insecure, fearful, and nervous dogs really do require consistent training, leadership, and boundaries as part of a programme to educate them.
Without education your sensitive, insecure, fearful, and nervous dog won't learn to cope. If you don't educate them, build resilience in them, and teach them how to cope with life then they may live their life in a state of fear and anxiety.
The problem is too many people (trainers included) don't know how to do this effectively and may use the same approach as they would with a dog who is pushy and rude.
Other people (trainers included) may feel they cannot correct a fearful dog, they may worry it is unfair to correct fearful behaviour. This is true if you don't know how to appropriately correct fearful behaviour.
John and I have worked with hundreds of sensitive, nervous, and fearful dogs in our behavioural work, and in 121s
Teaching a dog who is sensitive and fearful how to cope, and building resilience in that dog can be life changing for that dog. We use Eustress, desensitisation, and counter conditioning, as part of a behaviour modification programme to help sensitive and fearful dogs overcome their fears. We also appropriately correct unwanted and dangerous behaviours whilst educating the dog in how to cope.
Genuinely, when done consistently, and for long enough, a fearful dog will learn how to control and overcome their fears. The the cycle or pattern of behaviour they once followed will change.
Of course their are dogs who may be genetically fearful, but the lives of such dogs can still be improved.
