Building confidence

One of the most common concerns among today’s dog owners is their dogs’ insecurity and anxiety: this can manifest in many ways, from leash reactivity to destructive behavior at home, but it’s clear to most people that these dogs are stressed and are not enjoying themselves. The good news is that most cases of anxiety and insecurity can be greatly improved: it’s not easy and it doesn’t happen overnight, but with the right approach it is fixable. So what should you do? Here’s our prescription for insecure dogs:

Be a benevolent dictator: don’t ask for anything unreasonable, but make sure that your dog does comply with whatever you tell him to do. Follow through!

Train basic commands thoroughly: if you teach your dog to sit, then he should sit instantly and hold the sit until released no matter what is going on.

Take him on as many field trips as possible and practice those basic commands. This teaches him that you mean what you say at all times, in all situations.

When he has a lapse in judgment, stay calm but address the issue right away: correct, redirect and reward.

Make sure he has a personal sanctuary at home, whether that’s his crate, a corner in a room, or some other space where he can go and not be bothered. If he’s putting himself on a time-out or giving himself a break, he’s making a good choice! Caveat: if he is hiding out of fear, it’s a different story and is dealt with differently.

As his confidence grows, challenge him gradually: lessen the distance from other dogs, for example, or work on attention skills in the presence of more stimulation.

Do these things for his sake and for your own: a confident dog is a better companion on all levels!