How do I help my dog not be afraid of people, cars, loud noises… it’s a question I hear every single day.
It’s not uncommon for a rescue dog to be scared of everything around him. The first thought that will come to mind is that the dog was abused in his past life. But in reality, it’s more likely that the dog was not socialized as a puppy.
Genetics also play into why your dog is so fearful. If your dogs parents were fearful, it’s likely your dog will be too.
Fear comes in many shapes and forms. What is scary for your dog may not be for another.
Puppies go through fear periods, which if not addressed correctly, can result in a fearful dog. Many puppies and dogs that are in the shelter or rescue were born on the street, a kennel or maybe a home that had an oops litter.
This is the reason you see fewer purebred dogs that are fearful; because a responsible breeder will ensure to breed only healthy and confident dogs. And their puppies are thoroughly socialized while in their care.
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Adopting a fearful dog and how to help
Have you adopted a puppy that you felt sorry for because he looked so sad in the shelter or a puppy mill dog that never lived outside of a cage?
And now that you’ve brought him home, you’re realizing that love alone will not fix your anxious, fearful, scared dog?
My dog is scared of everything what can I do? All you want to do is make him feel safe, right?
Your rescue dog may be afraid of your husband, loud noises, the vacuum, sudden movements of any kind… rest assure that whatever it is, he can overcome his fear.
Your scared dog needs to learn that her environment is safe and secure. But how?
Be patient, take it slow, offer a safe environment and learn to read your dog’s body language.
How to help a timid rescue dog
Below are several ways to help your fearful dog to become more confident:
1. TIME & SPACE: Has your dog had enough time to adjust?
If you recently adopted your dog, say less than 3 months ago, then you need to give him more time to adjust. The first few days after adoption is going to be stressful for any dog.
Give your dog the time and space he needs to adjust on his own terms. Rushing this process will only backfire.
Please read our 3-3-3 rule to understand the transitioning period all rescue dogs go through. Be patient, give your dog time to get to know you and her new home.
2. HEALTH: Is your dog healthy and not in pain?
Make sure your dog is healthy and there are no medical reasons for her to be fearful. If a dog is in pain he will appear to be anxious, when in fact, he is in so much pain he is afraid to walk or be touched.
Make sure your dog is eating quality food. Have you ever eaten junk food all day and felt like crap the next day? If your dog is eating junky food, then changing is diet will make a remarkable difference in his inner and outer appearance.
3. BODY LANGUAGE: Understanding your dog’s body language is key to a healthy relationship
Dogs use their bodies to speak to us. Very subtle signals are used to tell us when they are scared, want to be left alone, or happy. Learn what your dog is trying to tell you by reading How to Talk to Dogs.
4. CALMING PRODUCTS: Natural options to help achieve balance
There are many products available to help our dogs feel calmer, such as compression vests, supplements, essential oils, and DAP. Click here to see my entire list of recommended products on Amazon.
5. TRAINING: Training creates confidence
When a dog understands what’s expected from him, he can become confident in his space.
Think about this, if you start a new job and have no idea what to do or what your boss expects of you, how would you feel?
Find what motives your dog, whether it be food, toys or praise, make training fun. Spend 5-10 minutes a day training basic commands or even tricks. Not only will you be creating a stronger bond with your dog, but he will become more confident with himself.
6. SAFETY: Make your fearful dog feel safe
Making your dog feel safe at all times is important. If your dog is afraid of strangers, don’t allow them to pet your dog. Get a “dog in training” vest to help deter people from asking to pet your pup.
You need to be your dogs advocate. Show him he can trust you to keep him safe.
Your dog should choose to approach a person, not the other way around. Allow your dog to decide to move forward in a scary situation.
The best way to approach a fearful dog is to sit on the floor, facing sideways and softly talk to the dog. Don’t extend a hand or move toward the dog. Allow the dog to move toward you and when the dog is comfortable, pet him under the chest/neck or shoulder, never over the top of his head.
If he is afraid of an object, don’t force him to face the fear. You will need to work on desensitization and counter-conditioning.
Forcing a dog can result in fear aggression, which is an unfair situation for the dog to be in.
7. RELATIONSHIP: Bond with your dog so she can trust you
Forming a strong bond takes time. You wouldn’t trust someone with your life you just met, right? Especially if your past has been unstable and past friends haven’t been so nice.
Here Are 8 Very Simple Steps to Start Bonding and Earning Your Dog’s Trust
8. RESEARCH: Knowledge is the key to success
Talk to a hundred vets and dog trainers, and you will get a hundred different answers on how to cure a fearful dog. This is because everyone has their own belief systems and every dog is unique. What works for one dog will not work for another.
You need to be your dog’s advocate and choose the path that is right for both of you. The more you learn, the better chance you have finding the key to your success. Here is a list of books about how to help fearful dogs you can buy on Amazon or find at your local library.
9. PROFESSIONAL HELP: Finding the right trainer to help your dog
Again, talk to multiple behaviorist trainers because you will get a hundred different answers to how to help a fearful dog. You need to find the right trainer you and your dog will feel comfortable with.
Ask friends and family for recommendations, check references for each dog trainer you are interested in. Visit the trainer if possible, look for online reviews, ask for a consultation before committing.
Dog training rehabilitation programs can be very expensive, be prepared to be sticker shocked.
If you have an extreme case, then I recommend reading this article by The Collard Scholar: The Sky Isn’t Falling: Teaching bravery to a fearful dog
Should I adopt a dog that is afraid of everything?
Don’t adopt a fearful dog unless you are willing and able to put in the time and money for trainers and rehabilitation. It is going to take a lot of patience and time to help a dog that is so fearful. Love alone does not cure fear.
So before you decide to adopt that adorable, but scared-to-death dog, ask yourself if you can provide a home that will help this type of dog thrive. Not every family will be a perfect match for every dog.
A fearful dog needs a patient, strong leader so he can slowly learn to become confident. If you have a full house of kids and other dogs, adopting a fearful dog may not be the best fit.
As sorry as you feel for that dog, you won’t be doing him any justice adopting him into an environment like that.
In conclusion
Time, patience, love and education can help your fearful dog develop into a more confident dog.
The level of severity of fearfulness is as unique as your dog’s. Listen to your dog, let him go at his own pace, stay calm and be patient. One day you will look back at all the hard work you both put into his rehabilitation and smile.
Please share your story in the comments below. You will help someone else going through the same struggles. Rescue Dogs 101 is all about community, so let’s help each other out!
I just adopted a 6 month golden doodle. We’ve had him for 5 days and he just lays where ever I put him. He will walk to his food and water dish but only if no one is in the room. Or when he is alone he will sneak to use the bathroom. I have to carry him outside and once out side he will only sit/lay down. He does not use the bathroom outside or walk/move at all. He has not suffered any abuse but I don’t think he was socialized enough maybe? Any tips to help him and me?
Hi Joy, just wondering how things are with your dog. We have a 9 month old adoptee showing exactly the same behaviours. I notice you didn’t receive any guidance so feel cheeky asking, but if you can offer any guidance from your, hopefully, improving situation it would be very much appreciated. Thanks, Tina
Very helpful! My adopted from shelter Dog loves cats , … I must be more patient when I walk her and such… Thank you.
i have a 10 month rescue Pyrenees.I have had almost 3months.He is under the table and does not come out.He does not wanta leash.I am trying my hardest to make him feel safe.He is so scared and was not socialized and kept in a crate.I don't know how to get him to accept leash.
put the leash on him, and leave it for him to get comfortable with on his terms. when he starts to move with it on, give him reassurance but not too much energy, hide treats near him for him to find and focus on rather than the leash. dont hover over him after putting it on him, just put on and then go about your day. no big deal to you, no big deal to him type mentality. if he absolutely wont move at all, get a cheap leash and attach it but cut it off so that it wont touch the ground when he is standing. it will still allow for the weight of it to be there and he will not have the drag that he would if it touches the ground. this worked for my very fearful pyrenees, but each dog is different so this is just my experience, not a guaranteed way to help him. If you do this though, do not crate him with a leash on, and do not leave him alone with the leash on when youre gone to be safe that he doesnt get caught on something and hurt himself.
Hello and thank you for this article. I just adopted a shelter dog that they had had for a few months. I was told he was dumped as a puppy and raised himself pretty much. The vet said he's about 1 now. He is terrified of everyone except our 2 German shepherds, he will run and play and acts like a normal dog with them but he won't let anyone touch him. I've had him for 2 weeks now and while he does come out of the corner now if it's just me and the shepherds home but if my husband comes in he runs and hides. He will sometimes touch the tips of my fingers with his nose and lick them, if you try to pet him he runs away. You have some good advice that I will be sure and follow up with him. I do have a trainer I used for the shepherds that was tremendous but since he's so fearful I didn't know at this point it would help until he gains some confidence.
We rescued a terrier mix on January 3rd and she is a super sweet, smart dog. She’s a little over a year old and she has really gotten attached to me. The problem is she is almost always on high alert with my husband. When we take her to the park, she listens to him and responds very well! In our house, she does a complete 180 and is fearful of him, she does laps around the living room and is so anxious. It’s heartbreaking to see her behavior change so drastically around him. He loves her and is so desperate for her to connect with him all of the time, not just at the park. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Thank you!
My new rescue is scared of everything. He is so fearful and timid. We have had him less than 3 weeks, and after 11 days he got loose when he became scared while my husband was walking him. He was gone for 3 days. He seems to be improving bit by bit. We aren’t forcing him to do anything. He has his own space in the family room and his own space in our bedroom at night. He stays in his space all day. We put his water bowl and food a few feet away so he will venture out, which he has begun to do. He has also started to stand up and wag his tail when I come home. But then becomes a little timid when I go over to him. Every once in awhile he will sit with us on the sofa. But it’s not often. He seems to want to start walking around but decides at the last minute to lay back down.I think he’s starting to gain some confidence. We’re being patient and going slow. I’m hoping what we’re doing is right. I read the article and found it to be very helpful.
Hi we rescued a dog from China 18 months ago. She is afraid of people and dogs and her walks are a nightmare. She is certainly better than she was when we got her but not relaxed around my husband and only with me in certain rooms. Our vet has had her on Prozac (worked the opposite way) gabapentin, which we didn’t think worked but now she is on CBD oil and has gone backwards. On her walks she just pulls and pulls to get back home or to the car. She won’t take treats except from a snuffle mat and is not food driven. We’ve taken her to trainers and she shuts down, hides and quivers and they have not been able to help us. Wondering if anyone else has faced this. I hoped for a cuddly dog who would be excited to see us if we’ve been out – all she does is bark and run around when we come home and won’t come near us. We were told not to use a crate because of her experiences in China and on the flight. Thanks to anyone who might have a suggestion.
Hi Molly, are you part of our private Facebook group? You may be able to get more responses inside the group. Join here > https://www.facebook.com/groups/rescuedogs101community/
hi debi- i adopted a rescue from mexico on 1.12
last night 1.16 we went on walk and skateboarder was going down the sidewalk pretty fast/hooded.
my dog started to lung/growl, i told him it's ok it's ok but he ran back into the house.
now he doesn't want to go outside , I tried again this am but the garbage truck/men scared him plus the sound of crows.
If he does go outside it's super quick to go to the bathroom.
he was on the couch this am and now is in his crate( open door) . i'll need to read the 3-3- 3 rule .
i confirmed with the rescuer that this dog hasn't gone through any traumas since they've had him ( they got him after 4-6 weeks after he was born)
he's definitely gong through a few changes. different foster homes etc. one consisted of a couple + 2 kids + 3 dogs.
thanks!
Debbie, last week I adopted female breeding Goldendoodle from a local reputable breeder. Gracie is 5 years old And she is scared of everything. She's afraid to come in side, she's afraid to go out side, she is afraid for me to carry her up the stairs or down the stairs (and she won't do stairs On her own). I feel like we've made some progress through the week with her going out in my yd and running around. She's also begun playing with toys in my house. I've started leash training but it is going very slow also. Any suggestions you could offer To help with her fear Would be appreciated.I want to start out doing the best thing for her Thank.you.
It’s still very early in her adjustment period. Read the 3-3-3 rule. Also learning your dogs body language will be a huge help. Read How to speak dog
I have a rescued mixed breed. We’ve had her for about 2 months. She’s scared of everything. I do see improvement every day, but it’s very slow.
She is good off leash in the yard, but runs right back inside. She sleeps all the time.
The first couple of days I was able to take her for a walk, but made the mistake of letting someone approach and pet her, which made her shake and scared. I thought it was good socialization, little did I know that it was the worst thing I could have done. Now she won’t go for walks.
I am working with a behaviorist right now.
It’s frustrating, and so sad.
Denise, stick with it and remain patient. Working with the behaviorists is a great step. Your pup just needs more time and confidence building.