Helping your Dog Become Fearless

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     It is very important for dogs to be exposed to and socialize with other dogs from a very young age. The need for dogs to associate with other dogs outweighs even the need to stay protected from illness.

Dogs are very social animals. This is part of why they are such good friends to mankind.

Despite their interaction with people, dogs need to interact with their own kind as well. If they do not socialize while they are young, they may become very fearful, anxious, or defensive dogs.

The dogs that become fearful, anxious, or defensive tend to become very aggressive as they grow older. This is dangerous for the dog and for nearby humans.

Some owners have prevented their dog from coming into contact with other dogs until their dog has received all of its needed vaccinations. This is a grave mistake.

Studies have shown that 95 percent of all reported dog bites are due to fear of some sort in the dog. While the health of a dog is important, social health is very important as well.

Owners need to cultivate a balance of these two things for their dog to be truly happy. Social exposure to people, places, other dogs and so forth is especially important for dogs that are younger than 16 weeks old.

If you can, try to let you dog meet a variety of other dogs who are vaccinated. This will protect your puppy from potentially harmful illnesses, but it will fill the need your puppy has to meet others.

You do not have to put your dog's life in danger in order for them to be social. However, help your puppy become acquainted with as many new situations as possible.

This is particularly important if you are training your second or third dog. Many owners simple turn their puppy loose with their other, older dog.

However, with the older dog's guidance and protection, the younger dog is never able develop his or her own self-confidence and he or she usually become reliant on the older dog. Of course, some dogs are more genetically adept to becoming social and un-fearful.

Do not be discouraged if all of your efforts have failed with one dog. Some dogs simply are unstable and unable to cope with new situations.

Be careful to watch your dog and make sure that they do not get the opportunity to harm someone if they are unstable. However, you should still try to help the dog overcome this and become more social.

Even if your breed of dog is generally a very social and confident dog, be patient with him or her. Habits cannot be changed overnight, but love and time combined with exposure can help you dog overcome his or her fear.

You will need to dedicate a lot of time to training your dog. Do not become discouraged, your dog needs you and the time that you can spend with him or her.

In a few weeks, you should start to see the signs of a more confident and worry free dog. Be careful not to overexpose your dog however.

Sometimes a situation can be too much for your dog to handle or cope with. As a result, he or she will react with fear.

This can be dangerous. Make sure steadily and slowly work your dog up to a social level that he or she can handle.

If you do not have the time, patience, or personality that can train your dog, you may want to consider giving him to someone that does have the time to properly care for your dog.

One method that is often used to train a dog to behave properly is called distance learning. Never try to rush the process of training your dog.

This will simply confuse them and the confidence you are trying to build will decrease. One of the simplest exercises you should use to introduce your dog to another dog is to take them on a walk like a normal day.

As you approach another dog, do not let your own anxiety about what will happen show by shortening the leash and so forth. Watch your dog carefully.

When he or she begins to become submissive, fearful, or aggressive be sure to back up immediately. When your dog calms down, slowly approach the other dog again.

Methods like these can help your dog become a confident and fearless dog. Additionally, the relationship between you and your dog will grow into a lasting friendship.