Common Dog Fears and How to Ease Them (Part Two)

Last week, we shared three common fears that our canine companions struggle with, as well as some techniques for helping them become a little braver. 

But of course, the world can be a scary place for our furry friends! So, we weren’t able to cover all the common fears in one article. Read on to learn more about what may spook your dog and how to help them overcome it. 

Fear of loud appliances
One of the most common fears in dogs is fear of the dreaded vacuum cleaner. Roombas, with their noise and unpredictable movement patterns, also seem to be a big no-no for many dogs. And, if your dog is afraid of these devices, there’s a good chance that they’re wary of other appliances such as hair dryers and blenders, as well. 

Your dog may react to these untrustworthy machines by slinking off into another room as soon as you bring them out. Or, they may bark and even try to bite the device. So, what can you do?

Here, some gradual exposure therapy can help. The idea is to reintroduce the appliance very slowly and intentionally. This could mean bringing the vacuum cleaner or hair dryer into the same room without turning it on. Give your dog plenty of praise and treats for calm behavior. Once your dog starts to get comfortable being around the device in the off mode, you can invite them to get closer to it, giving extra praise if they sniff the appliance. The next step will be to turn the device on during very short periods of time, perhaps only a second or two.

Over time, these sessions will encourage your dog to associate the device with treats. Encouraging them to calmly approach these scary devices can also serve to rewire their brain to overcome their “flight or fight” instinct.

Fear of new people
We can bet that you and your dog have an amazing, sweet, loving bond. So, it can be jarring to realize that the angel you share a home with doesn’t get along with other people. When they’re barking incessantly at the delivery guy or your houseguests, you wish the rest of the world could see the lovable dog you know.

Fear of people can stem from negative early life experiences in which your dog learned that not all people are trustworthy. This is especially true of dogs who were mistreated, not properly socialized, or abandoned by their previous owners. 

As such, overcoming this fear is tough, but not impossible. And the goal, here, isn’t that your dog becomes a social butterfly, but rather that they feel calm around new people so that they’re not destined to a life confined at home.

This is a fear that we would highly recommend working through with a licensed animal behaviorist in your area. But, here are a few ways that you can get started safely:

• Be your dog’s advocate. Until your dog is 100% comfortable and reliable around new people, it will be your job to manage your dog’s exposure. This might mean telling approaching strangers to give your dog space and not allowing your dog to be around children.
• Introduce dog-friendly people one at a time. As with the fear of appliances, exposure therapy can be a good tactic, here. You’ll want to try this in an area where your dog feels comfortable, such as your backyard or a quiet park. Have your dog on a leash so that you can keep them by your side and under control while the new person approaches slowly. While giving your dog treats for calm behavior, you can carry on a friendly conversation with this person and even have them throw your dog treats. Depending on the severity of your dog’s fear of strangers, you may need this person to maintain distance. They should never reach out to touch your dog.
• Don’t punish your dog for reacting. Often, our first impulse when our dog starts barking at a stranger is to reprimand our dog. But actually, this can work to reinforce their fear and anxiety. In this moment, they will benefit more from you being calm and collected so that they can learn that strangers are not a threat.

Fear of certain surfaces
Maybe you finally installed hardwood floors in your home and are so excited with the upgrade. But when your dog sees it for the first time, they won’t set paw on that shiny new, beautiful floor. Some dogs are likewise wary of polished linoleum and concrete, or will refuse to take the stairs, especially the steel or iron kind.

Of all of the fears that we’ve mentioned so far, this one is likely the quickest one to overcome. And you can take a few different approaches:

• Encouragement. Again, positive reinforcement training can do wonders here. With treats, toys, verbal praise, and patience, you can coax your dog onto new surfaces so that they can learn to get their bearings.
• The buddy system. If you know of a friend with a dog who is fearless in the face of hardwood floors, invite them over! Your dog may gain confidence by seeing another furry friend do what they thought was impossible.
• Reasonable accommodations. Dogs tend to avoid surfaces that are slippery or pose a risk of them getting their claws stuck. So, you can make some reasonable accommodations, such as rugs or stair grips, that can make your dog feel less unsure of their footing.

Before you know if, your dog will be tearing through the house with gusto!

Your dog will thank you!
Your pup may be resistant to overcoming their fears now. And it might break your heart to watch them struggle. But in the long run, they’ll live a happier, more confident life if you can put in the effort to help them face their fears head on. 

Here at BreezeGuard, we’re all about giving our dogs the best life possible. BreezeGuard Screens are installed onto your car windows so that your pup can enjoy the fresh air without the safety hazard of putting their head outside.