Do you have a cautious canine? Fear is a normal emotion that is experienced by all animals. Fear keeps us safe from impending danger whether the threat is real or imagined. Shy dogs can have one or many triggers – be it person, place or thing – that overly frightens them, causing them stress and a decreased quality of life.

Although it’s possible that fearful dogs have suffered physical abuse, most often times these dogs are a combination of unfortunate genetics and undersocialization as a young dog. Puppies that do not have the opportunity to interact with a variety of individuals, travel to unknown places and experiences new things can have undesired behavior later on in life simply due to lack of exposure and positive experiences. Additionally, bad or stressful experiences growing up – be it a one-time occurrence or repetition over time – can exacerbate dogs with fearful propensities.

Do you have a timid dog? The cautious canine can have fear towards dogs, strangers or particular types of people. Your dog may be scared of men, children, new dogs, individuals that wear hats, use umbrellas or canes or look different than people they would see on a regular basis. Or your dog may do poorly visiting new places for the first time or is sensitive to loud or startling noises.

What does fear look like? Dogs that are scared will usually avoid eye contact, may submissively urinate, their bodies become tense and their head, ears and tails are usually held down and tucked. Certain dogs may lift a paw or freeze, others may back themselves into a corner or run away. On a walk, this could be pulling to the end of the leash, bracing the front and squatting with the hind legs, attempting to flee. Fearful dogs may pant, drool, tremble, pace or sweat through their paws. You may also see drawn back lips, furrowed brows, whale eyes (white of the eye clearly visible), tongue flicking and weight positioned toward the hind legs.

Here are some photographic examples:

(photos courtesy of Canine Body Language: A Photographic Guide by Brenda Aloff)

Can our Cautious Canine class help your dog? Yes. Unfortunately, fearful dogs cannot overcome their fears on their own; and, in fact, can get worse over time if left untreated. Moreover, coercing your dog to get over it by forcing them to experience their fears usually makes their behavior worse. By taking our Cautious Canine class, you and your dog will be given the tools and support needed to help your dog’s behavior improve. It’s a gradual training process that requires proper guidance and support from experienced professionals.

Click here to register for our Cautious Canine course

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