If your dog is afraid of the dark, you may want to leave him at the dog park. While going to the dog park can be a good thing for all concerned, some dogs are just afraid of the unknown. It’s understandable. There are so many other dogs and people around at the dog park that it’s easy to get a dog-aggressive disposition. However, there are some dog training tricks you can try at the dog park to help your dog feel more comfortable.
Fear is a complex emotion. Some dogs who are reactive to humans can feel totally non reactive when around other dogs. However, many dogs that are reactive to people don’t react at all to other people. If you’re unsure about whether or not your dog is reactive, you should definitely begin dog training at your local puppy boot camp or obedience school before proceeding to handle fearful dogs on your own.
A great dog training tip is to introduce your dog to other dogs, even those who are either friendly or who haven’t shown any signs of aggression. This will help your dog learn to socialize with others. If the fear reactive dog has never been handled before, this is the best time to do so. Touch, hug and walk the dog around other people and dogs while slowly backing away from them.
It’s important to remember that no matter what, a dog doesn’t want to hurt another dog. So if a dog is exhibiting fear reactions, back away slowly. Let the dog find you and eventually the dog will stand still. This may take several attempts. The goal here is to have the fearful dog come to stand still as a sign of respect.
Another trick in dog training at these dog parks is to be patient. There are many reactive dogs that don’t know their place in the hierarchy. If a dog does not understand its place in the pack, it will display some fear responses. While giving your dog the attention it requires, show consideration for the dog’s position in the hierarchy by using your voice to communicate your displeasure if necessary.
Don’t ever pull on the leash while other trainers and dog owners are working with their dogs at dog parks. If a dog pulls on the leash when other trainers are present, the dog needs to be corrected by the trainer. If you continue to pull on the leash, it will cause confusion among the dogs and lead to another problem.
Dog parks are wonderful places to socialize reactive dogs with other dogs. However, there are some park areas that make the dog run from other dogs, creating a breeding ground for misbehaving reactive dogs. To avoid this problem, be sure to check out the area before going. Most dog parks have rules about how dogs are to be handled and socialized.
Fearful dogs can be overcome with patience and love. Be sure to pay attention to your dog when he is behaving inappropriately. Don’t let your dog terrorize others around you. Correct his behavior the first time you notice it. Hopefully, you will have an angel dog who doesn’t misbehave in your home the first time he goes to your house on his own.
It is best to socialize a fearful dog with a handler before trying to handle him. A good handler knows how to take a fearful dog under his control and teaches the dog proper dog training. The handler can also use a muzzle or a head collar to make the dog stop and start if he starts to get out of hand. This works great for many types of dog training and is an excellent way to make a new dog friend.
Shy dogs need a bit more work before they will learn to be socially acceptable with other dogs. Shy dogs should be taught to stay away from people and only come within range of the handler. Socializing a shy dog is important and is the first step in obedience training for dogs. It is also the most difficult part of training for these dogs.
Fearful, reactive dogs can be overcome with patience and love. Be sure to pay close attention to your dog when he is learning to control his reactions and he will become a well mannered dog. Remember to always feed your dog on a regular schedule and always give him his daily exercise. A well trained dog is a happy dog.
