Establish Rules for your Dog
Since confidence is something fundamental to teach your dog, there are some different things you want to take into account to help training become easier and quicker:
- Avoid strengthening fearful behavior. A more distant and non-touching approach is better than spoiling and soothing your fearful dog. Doing the latter will just reinforce fearful behavior. Talk calmly to your dog when he is fearful and let him know that there is nothing to fear with out picking him up or soothing him.
- Do not discipline your dog. It's very important to know that when a dog is experiencing fear, he is not in a learning mode, but rather in an emotional state. If you touch your dog and reassure him in these moments he will believe that there really is something to fear, and of course if you punish your dog for this behavior he might become aggressive especially if he feels susceptible or threatened. Avoid punishing your dog, as it will not work.
- Safety comes first. Fearful dogs can often times overact to a number of things and in a number of ways which can result in their getting hurt. Avoid this from happening by always keeping your dog on a leash when you go out with him in public to avoid him from running off into the road, and keep him away from things that could result in injury.
- Exercise and psychological stimulation. Dogs that are nervous and lack confidence need daily exercise and lots of it. Introduce your dog to a variety of different sports like catch, agility, hide and seek etc. doing this daily will relieve tension and help stimulate self confidence.
Make sure also, that you provide a safe and the adequate environment for your dog. Using a consistent place for your dog to exercise in is a good idea as it creates trust in your dog. Doing all this will help your dog to become more confident and secure.
