A SURVIVAL GUIDE FOR DOGS DURING FEAR PERIODS

Dogs, like humans, experience fear. Fear is a normal and healthy emotion that helps protect us from danger. However, when fear becomes excessive or prolonged, it can have serious consequences for both physical and psychological wellbeing. As a responsible pet owner, it’s important to recognize the signs of fear in your dog and take steps to address it.

Trembling or shaking

Your dog may start trembling or shaking for a variety of factors including loud noises or other stimuli that your dog perceives as threatening. If your dog is trembling it’s important to remain calm and use gentle reassurance to help them feel safe. Do not scold or punish your pet for being frightened as this will only make them more anxious and could worsen the problem in the long run.

Cowering or hiding

Dogs will often seek out places where they feel safe when they are afraid, such as behind furniture or under tables. If your pet is exhibiting this behavior try not to move them away from their chosen spot but instead allow them some space until the fear has passed.

It’s also important to remember that dogs may sometimes react differently than expected during a fearful episode – 

• Barking
• Growling
• lunging 
• snapping at people or other animals.

These all can be signs of underlying fear rather than aggression and should be addressed appropriately with professional help from dog trainer if necessary. 

What to do when your dog is fearful?

It’s also essential to take special care of your pet during fear periods by providing extra attention and reassurance through activities such as playing fetch or going for walks on quiet streets if possible. Offering rewards after calming exercises such as sitting quietly can also help reinforce positive behaviors associated with feeling safe rather than scared and encourage better behavior overall in the future. 

• Creating an environment where your pet feels protected and secure can help immensely during periods of increased anxiety;
• providing soft bedding, blankets and toys along with access to food and water can make all the difference in helping them relax during times of stress. 
• keep any loud appliances like vacuums turned off while you’re away so they don’t trigger any unexpected fears for your dog while you’re gone. 

By taking steps to recognize when your dog is feeling fearful and addressing their concerns, you can help ensure their emotional wellbeing over time – both during calm moments and those moments when anxiety levels are heightened due to external triggers.

Final Thoughts

Fear periods are a normal part of a dog’s development and it’s important to approach them with patience, understanding, and consistent training methods. Using positive reinforcement, desensitization and counter-conditioning along with consulting an experienced dog trainer can help dogs navigate through fear periods. With the right support, dogs can learn to overcome their fears and become confident companions.