Unwitting Habits That Increase Your Dog’s Anxiety: Are You Guilty?

When you’re out with your furry friend, and another dog appears, your reaction sets the stage. If you tense up, your dog, let’s call him Fido, picks up on your anxiety. This is more than just empathy; it’s a direct response to your behavior. If Fido sees you as a confident leader, he remains calm, knowing you can handle the situation. However, if you’re anxious, that tension travels down the leash, making Fido anxious too. Additionally, your overall nervous energy, even if you manage to keep the leash loose, can still be picked up by Fido. Subtle behaviors like holding your breath, changing your walking pace, or stiffening your body are signals that can make Fido more reactive.

Unintentional Rewards: Fueling the Fire of Anxiety

It’s a common scenario: Fido gets anxious, and you, with the best intentions, shower him with attention or reassurance. Here’s the twist – this well-meaning act can actually reinforce Fido’s anxious behavior. When Fido learns that showing anxiety leads to attention, he’s likely to repeat this behavior. It’s a classic case of unintentional positive reinforcement, where you’re inadvertently rewarding the very behavior you wish to diminish.

For instance, when Fido barks at the mailman and you respond with petting and cooing, or during a thunderstorm when you cuddle him excessively, you might be unintentionally reinforcing his anxious behavior. Similarly, over-comforting him at the vet can reinforce his fear, rather than alleviating it.

Here is an article about Building Your Dog’s Confidence.

The Downside of Harsh Training: Amplifying Anxiety

Consider this: you’re in a training class with Fido. He makes a mistake, and you respond with a harsh correction, like a sharp tug on the leash. This approach can increase Fido’s anxiety. The yawn, often seen as a sign of tiredness, can also be a stress signal in dogs. When corrected harshly, a dog may yawn, signaling discomfort or anxiety. This kind of punitive training can exacerbate a dog’s anxiety, making them more reactive and less confident.

Here’s a whole article on dog’s body language. Remember to check out the Resources section – I’ve managed to find some really cool books for you. Even illustrated one that will be perfect for adults and kids!

Managing Barking at External Triggers: A Practical Case

• ✔️ Stay Calm: Keep your emotions in check. Fido can sense your anxiety or frustration.
• ✔️ Redirect Attention: Divert Fido’s focus from the window to you. Use commands or a favorite toy.
• ✔️ Positive Reinforcement: Once Fido calms down, reward him. This encourages the calm behavior you want.
• ✔️ Minimize Visual Stimuli: Adjust Fido’s environment to reduce the chances of him seeing the trigger.
• ✔️ Teach ‘Quiet’ Command: Train Fido to understand and respond to a command that means stop barking.
• ✔️ Desensitization and Counterconditioning: Gradually expose Fido to his triggers in a controlled setting while rewarding calm behavior.
• ✔️ Professional Guidance: If Fido’s barking persists, consider consulting a dog behavior expert.