Maybe you just brought a new dog home, and they are scared of you. Or perhaps this behavior just suddenly appeared. It is obvious that no one in the home wants to live with a scared and unhappy dog. Consequently, in this article from AnimalWised, we’ll explain why your dog has suddenly become afraid of you and what you can do to help. You may also be interested in:
When an animal is exposed to threatening stimuli, an emotional reaction called fear is set off. This is why your dog may be afraid for a variety of reasons. Since it involves a defense mechanism to help one avoid dangerous elements and enable safe environmental adaptation, this emotion is not inherently harmful.
However, if an animal is afraid of commonplace things that don’t actually endanger their survival, that has a negative impact on both the animal and our ability to coexist with them. When a dog develops a fear of a commonplace object, it is very challenging for them to function normally in their environment. This causes them to be stressed and anxious. It becomes especially problematic when their human companion is this element.
First, we will explore where fear comes from. Fear is a feeling brought on by the interaction of two things:
Follow a Predictable and Reliable Schedule
The hormone cortisol circulates throughout a dog’s body when it is anxious and stressed, making matters worse. Making a schedule for the dog that is predictable and dependable can help the dog’s fear and stress hormones to lessen.
A dog is less anxious when they know they’ll be fed at specific times, have their own bed to sleep in, have playtime, and receive training and treats at specific times each day. Repeated behaviors that are calm and non-aggressive will win over a dog’s trust.
The most common reasons dogs may be scared of their owners are:
How you can stop your dog being scared
Here, we offer guidance on what to do if you notice your dog is fearful. Analyzing the situations where you noticed this emotional response from your dog will be the key to understanding and helping them get over it, so you must first ask yourself what stimuli is he afraid of.
Once you’ve identified the danger to your dog, you must change their routine as much as you can to try to avoid it. If your dog has developed a fear of other dogs, for instance, you can take them for a walk when there are fewer dogs around or perhaps take them to a new, more tranquil area.
Giving your dog space and time will help if they are afraid of you. Avoid approaching them, speaking to them in a threatening manner, or making sudden movements. Allow them to approach you instead, speak softly, and watch your movements. By doing so, they will realize that you are not a danger to them and that they can feel secure around you. As for their walks, you might be able to convince someone else to accompany them until they come to trust you once more. Be patient with this process.
FAQ
What to do if a dog is scared of you?
Act as if nothing is happening, then saunter closer. Stop advancing if your dog shows any signs of fear. You may even need to take a step back. When your dog does something you like, like approaching a person or object it’s afraid of, give it praise or tenderly hand it treats.
How do you tell if your dog is afraid of you?
A dog that is afraid of you may cower or hide. Just keep in mind that a dog who appears to dislike you may actually be scared of you, and that fear can manifest itself physically. According to Sueda, “If the dog is scared, he may cower or crouch, pull back his ears, tuck his tail, hide, or tremble.”
Why is my dog scared all of a sudden?
While routine exposure to a phobia your dog has can lead to generalized anxiety, other factors like routine disruptions like a family member leaving, being left home alone for an extended period of time, or moving to a new house can also contribute to it.
Why is my dog suddenly avoiding me?
A dog who abruptly loses interest in his pack could be going through a variety of emotions, including jealousy, anxiety, or depression. Has anything recently changed in your home environment, such as a new resident moving in or out? Perhaps you haven’t been taking him for as many walks as usual.