Some pups are born ready to take on the world. They hold their head high, make new friends easily, and don’t seem to be afraid of anything.
Other dogs are a different story.
These poor pups seem nervous from the start, and they often struggle to find the confidence other canines have. Over the long term, this can actually lead to problems with anxiety and reactivity, making life difficult for their people.
To adjust, many pet parents learn to simply avoid the things that frighten their pup most. But while avoiding triggers is sometimes a good component of an overall pet management approach, the better long-term solution is to help boost your canine’s confidence.
I’ll outline some of the best ways to do this below, so that you and your pupper can enjoy a richer, fuller life together.
Start Small and Celebrate Wins
Confidence isn’t built overnight — it comes from layering one positive experience on top of another. So, take a baby-steps approach to things your dog finds challenging.
Don’t take your shy pooch to a busy shopping center right off the bat; start by having a brief encounter with a calm neighbor instead. Rather than visiting a rowdy dog park, consider taking a stroll along a calm trail at a nature preserve.
Ideally, you’ll want to take on challenges that are in your dog’s “stretch zone.” They shouldn’t be so challenging that they overwhelm your pup, nor should they be so easy that they’re boring, either.
Use Lots of Positive Reinforcement
Shy dogs often find new things to be risky or frightening. But by pairing positive reinforcement with new experiences, you can help your dog learn that trying new things can yield wonderful outcomes. This will do wonders for your dog’s confidence over the long term.
Just be sure to provide the kind of reinforcement that works best for your dog. Treats certainly do the trick for many dogs, but others will appreciate pets, verbal praise, or brief play sessions.
Embrace Regular Training
Training is about a lot more than just teaching your dog new skills. It also provides the very foundation for self-assuredness. When your pupper learns to sit, stay, or lie down, they start to feel empowered and — most importantly — a sense of control.
Additionally, regular positive training sessions also strengthen your bond and build trust. Over time, your dog will start to trust you to guide them through new challenges.
Build Social Skills Gradually
Throwing your dog into social situations that they’re not ready for can be detrimental to the confidence-building process. This means you’ll want to skip dog parks and doggie daycare visits for the time being and opt for play dates with one or two calm and friendly canines.
But even during these times, let your dog set the pace. If they need more space, let them have it. Just be sure to reward them when they demonstrate bravery.
Provide a Safe Space
One of the best ways to help boost your dog’s confidence is by providing them with a small space that allows them to feel secure. Doing so actually provides two-for-one value: They’ll not only feel safer while inside the space, but they’ll usually feel brave enough to take on new challenges afterward.
A small, dark crate can serve as the ideal safe space, but you could also let your dog use a closet or nook. You could even create a cozy little “pillow fort” that would work for small dogs.
Harness the Power of Play
Play isn’t just a way to get your dog’s tail wagging – it also helps to foster confidence too. And games provide the perfect type of play for achieving this goal, as they offer a low-pressure way for shy pups to experiment, succeed, and earn rewards.
A few fun games that may help boost your canine’s confidence include:
- Scent Games: Start by hiding a few treats around the room and then encouraging your woofer to sniff them out. This is not only fun for four-footers, but it also builds problem-solving skills and teaches your dog that exploration can be fun and rewarding.
- Obstacle Fun: For this game, you’ll want to present your dog with simple challenges like stepping over a broomstick or crawling through a hula hoop. Give your pup time to figure out each challenge and provide some gentle guidance as needed. Every time they figure out how to succeed, it’ll help teach your pup that they can handle new and strange situations.
- Novelty Box: A novelty box helps teach your dog that surprises can be fun! To play this game, fill a shallow box with crumpled paper and toss in a toy or treat. Then, let your pup dig around to find it. Once you’ve played this game a few times, your dog will start getting excited when you pull out the novelty box.
These games may seem simple or silly, but they provide a chance for your dog to be brave in a very safe-feeling way.
Stay Calm and Patient
Remember that your dog will be looking at you for clues while taking on new challenges. If you seem tense or nervous, your pupper will notice and match your energy. So, always try to remain calm while allowing your dog to try new things.
And perhaps most importantly, try to look and feel confident yourself!
Have some faith that your dog is going to handle the new experience well and take the associated uncertainty in stride. This will help your dog feel more capable of dealing with whatever obstacles come their way.
Still Having Trouble? Get the Professional Help You Need!
The tips shared above will help most dogs feel more confident, but they won’t always work for every dog. Unfortunately, some four-footers are especially nervous, and they require a bit of extra help to show real improvement.
I’d be happy to provide this kind of additional support. If your dog is still struggling with confidence, head over to the Cosmic Home & Pet contact page and drop me a line! I can help you implement a program that’ll boost your pupper’s confidence and help them feel like they can take on the world!
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