You must be brave to win the soul of a nervous dog
IF you are the owner of a nervous dog you must accept that your dog doesn’t have the same values as you.
Whilst constantly fussing and soothing a frightened child might be wholly appropriate, for a dog it most certainly is not.
Nervous dogs don’t need fussing they need help.
I have tried many different methods in the past 25 years.
Some help, many do not and only make a difficult situation worse.
While a scared child may be pacified with hugs and treats a frightened dog will not.
What that dog desperately needs is leadership and guidance in dealing with a situation with which he cannot cope.
What frightened dogs need to know is how to deal with a situation he finds overwhelming.
Patting and stroking will not do it and whilst treats may be okay in certain situations, they won’t help him cope with fear.
In order to have any lasting success he needs to be shown how to cope with the object of his fear but nothing will work unless he is confident you have the answer.
He must believe that you possess the confidence he lacks.
If he detects uncertainty and nervousness on your part nothing will work. A frightened dog is not going to listen to a frightened owner.
It makes no sense to expect him to trust you to deal with situations he finds overpowering if he thinks you are weaker than he is.
If you love your dog, as I’m sure you do, now is the time to show it.
So, it’s shoulders back, head held high and lead him past the object of his fear.
I often ask owners what is the bravest thing they ever did and ask them to keep that picture in their mind whilst they work with nervous dogs.
Forget the hugging and stroking while doing this.
What your dog wants to
see from you is the courage he does not possess.
Once you can do this you have the door to his soul and he will follow you forever.
No amount of petting and stroking will ever do that.
Our training classes take place in Wilmslow on Wednesdays from 10am to 11am and at Astbury Mere, Congleton, on Saturdays from 10.30am to midday.
If you need help you can text me directly on 07590 560012.