Understanding Your Dog’s Fears
Dogs will display a wide range of behavior when they are afraid of something and this may include trying to escape to a closed area, submissive urinating, rolling over, tucking his tail between his legs and even growling at his owner.
First, it is essential to rule out medical reasons for this anxious behavior and you should consult your veterinarian for a professional examination. There are dogs who are genetically predisposed to anxious behavior and this may make treatment more difficult. Also, if you have adopted your dog as an adult, and he was not properly socialized or had a traumatic experience as a puppy, it may be extremely difficult to deal with his fears.
Dog trainers are in agreement with desensitizing your dog by exposing him to a low level of the anxiety trigger. For example, if he is afraid of the vacuum cleaner, start to desensitize him by placing a vacuum cleaner 50 feet away from him and reward him for calm behavior in the presence of the vacuum. Gradually bring the vacuum closer to him and keep rewarding him with praise and treats. Once your dog remains relaxed near the vacuum, turn it on shortly and observe him closely. Keep repeating the
reward phase as often as necessary. If your dog is afraid of storms, this can be more difficult to deal with, but the principles are the same and you need to cope with all anxiety triggers by offering rewards which will help to desensitize him.
Avoid punishing your dog for his fears because this will reinforce his fears instead of making them go away ! In most cases, punishment will do more harm than good.
Some owners tend to use drug therapy, but this alone will not reduce fears and phobias permanently. In extreme cases, behavior modification and drug therapy may need to be combined for the best possible solution. If you do decide on medication, please do not use over-the-counter or prescription medication without consulting your veterinarian.