Experienced Dog Trainer in Newtown – Help With an Insecure Dog

Experienced Dog Trainer in Newtown – Help With an Insecure Dog

A lack of self-confidence is very often at the root of behavioural issues.

Just like us humans, dogs are born with a genetic blueprint that determines, in part, their temperament and personality traits. And just like us humans, the experiences they have in life also contribute to their personality. This is particularly true within the first year, experiences within the first 12 months shape a dog’s personality. 

Some dogs are simply born more confident than others. A timid dog might feel unsure in new situations and locations, or when meeting strangers and unfamiliar dogs. They might seem insecure when separated from their family and be unwilling to explore new things on their own. Even if your dog was born with very little confidence, there are ways to help them become more confident.

The first thing to do is to contact an experienced dog trainer and implement a training program.

Training is important for all dogs for obvious reasons, but for an insecure dog, it’s crucial. An insecure dog needs to learn what is expected of them and how to respond to different situations. Training can also help them to live a stress-free life and decrease their anxiety. 

‘Shaping’ in particular is an excellent training method for increasing confidence. It’s usually done by using a clicker and it teaches dogs to think for themselves and to offer accepted behaviours.

Another great way to build up your dog’s confidence is through canine sports. Energetic and physically fit dogs enjoy agility. But all dogs, even those who are older or less fit, can still participate in training. There are a lot of ways to train your dog, like Basic Obedience, Rally-O, Nose Work or even tick training at home.  These are all mentally stimulating, great ways to enjoy quality time together while building your dog’s confidence.

If your dog is insecure about meeting new dogs or people or going to new places, you need to associate those experiences with something he really likes. For example, if your dog is nervous around unfamiliar dogs, feed him a few treats as soon as he sees one. But stay away from the dog, keep enough distance for your dog to feel comfortable. Once the other dog disappears, so do the treats. This is a basic classical conditioning training method, and it can be used with other dogs, people, and new places.

Proper socialisation is one of the most important things when it comes to raising a confident and balanced adult dog.

Socialisation doesn’t mean just dog play. It means introducing your dog to different people, dogs, situations, planes etc. in a positive way. This means controlling the meetings and situations ensuring a happy outcome for your dog. 

Helping your dog to boost their confidence is all about careful observation, setting your dog up for success, fun activities and always adjusting to your dog’s comfort level. If you go over their threshold you are actually damaging the training. So, be patient and remember a confident dog is a happier dog.

Eazy Dog Training – Your Experienced Dog Trainer in Newtown