Street dogs, runaway dogs, or dogs that have experienced violence may show signs of fear or anxiety. Sometimes gentle dogs will also act violently if they are embarrassed or afraid. Compared to frightened dogs, shy dogs tend to be easier to calm down. Whether it's helping someone find a lost dog, trying to calm a newly adopted dog, or just trying to approach and help a dog on the road, it's easier to do this if you know the signs of a frightened dog and how to approach them.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Recognizing a Fearful Dog
Step 1. Understand the dog's behavior
Dogs who are frightened around humans can be caused by many things. This can also happen even if you didn't do anything wrong to provoke the dog. Sometimes, dogs are afraid of humans because they have to survive.
- Some dogs are afraid of humans because they have been or are being abused. The frightened dog may be injured and act aggressively in order not to appear weak and fragile.
- NEVER approach an injured dog that you do not know. The dog may perceive you as a threat and attack you in self-defense.
Step 2. Recognize his body language
A frightened dog's body may be tense and the hairs on its back may appear to be standing up. If the dog you're approaching suddenly turns around, locks himself in a firm position, and the fur on his back stands up, it's best to stay where you are and let the dog see that you're not a threat to him.
Step 3. Don't look him in the eye
Dogs that feel threatened will often look into the eyes of those who approach them. This is a way to show dominance and let him know that your presence makes him feel threatened. Look the other way if a frightened dog stares at you. This is to show that you respect the boundaries.
Step 4. Don't approach a grinning and/or growling dog
Grinning and growling are some of the clear signs that your dog is feeling threatened or uncomfortable. The dog can also attack you if you continue to be approached. A growl doesn't necessarily mean that the dog will attack you. However, growling is a sign that your dog may attack if you continue to make him feel threatened.
Part 2 of 4: Identifying the Triggers for His Fear
Step 1. Determine what scares the dog
You may be the cause of the fearful dog's anxiety. However, his fear can also be caused by something in his immediate environment and not because of your presence.
Always assume that you may be the stimulus that causes the dog to feel scared or nervous, especially if you don't know him
Step 2. Pay attention to things that might scare your dog
If you know and meet the dog often enough, pay attention to various situations or stimuli that might scare him. Understanding her fear triggers will help you avoid them or help her overcome her fear of them.
- If you know the dog, observe the environment and objects around you that might scare him. Trivial things like a certain sound, a foreign object in the yard or home, or a new and unfamiliar scent can cause a dog to be frightened or nervous.
- If the dog is yours or someone you know and a change in the environment (such as a vacuum cleaner or new furniture) is suspected to be the cause of his fear, allow the dog to deal with the feared object for a short time and under your supervision. Let the dog know and understand that the object is not a threat.
- Check if the dog has suffered an injury from a safe distance. Do not force close contact. Notice if the dog is limping, hiding parts of his body, lowering his ears, licking the wound excessively, or whining.
Step 3. Don't scare the dog any more
In order to interact with a shy or frightened dog, you must approach him with care and know when to retreat. Remember that a dog who doesn't know you may perceive you as a threat.
Part 3 of 4: Calming a Terrified Dog
Step 1. Be careful with your body language
Compared to humans, animals pick up body language more quickly. Management of body language can be the most important thing you can do to calm a shy or frightened dog, especially if you don't know the dog.
- Never stare or approach a frightened dog face-to-face. Approach the dog from the side and don't look at him directly. This will prevent the dog from thinking that you are approaching him with malicious intent.
- Walk slowly around the frightened dog. If you approach him in a hurry or appear to be in a hurry, your dog may perceive you as a threat.
- You should squat in an area that is quite far away. This will make you appear smaller and less intimidating. Don't face him directly even while squatting and be careful not to appear "too high."
- Don't touch the dog. Extend your hand from a safe distance and allow the dog to decide whether to approach you or not.
- If the dog owner is near the area, ask permission before approaching the dog.
Step 2. Show respect and praise when your dog is calm
Move slowly around the dog and give praise if the dog seems to want to approach you. This will show that you respect their boundaries but are willing to give them praise and kindness if the dog wants to get close.
Speak softly. Never speak loudly around a frightened animal
Step 3. Approach the dog from a safe distance
Every dog has a "safe zone". This zone is an area around the dog that a stranger should not enter if the dog perceives a threat. Keep your distance so you don't get too close to him. Do not approach or enter his safety zone if your dog is showing signs of aggression out of fear.
The exact distance of the dog's safe zone is uncertain because every dog is different. Determining the limits of a dog can only be determined by careful experimentation
Step 4. If it is safe, give the dog a treat
If the dog belongs to you or someone you know, consider giving him a treat as a reward for being calm around you. Give your dog a praise and treat whenever he approaches you without hesitation (if the owner doesn't mind).
This method can only be done if you know and are sure that the dog does not have a food aggression problem. Giving food to dogs who have this problem can actually provoke the dog to be more aggressive
Step 5. Contact the veterinary authorities
If you think you have found a dog that may be stray or injured, contact veterinary authorities. If you are in a rural area and there is no veterinary authority, contact the police or local authorities.
- Provide your veterinary authority or police officer with your contact number so you can be contacted if the case develops.
- Also tell your location so that officers can find it easily.
- Ask the estimated time when the officer will come. If it's long, the staff may ask you to stay near the dog or follow and monitor it from a safe distance.
Part 4 of 4: Recognizing and Calming a Shy Dog
Step 1. Understand why the dog is shy
Dogs can be shy around humans for many reasons.
- Some dogs are frightened or embarrassed around humans because they weren't introduced to good socializing as a child.
- Some dogs are easily agitated and will always be shy around humans for no apparent reason.
Step 2. Introduce the dog to humans slowly
If your dog is shy when meeting new people, introduce them slowly. Ensure that dogs interact with humans.
If your dog approaches you when other people are around, try ignoring his requests for attention. Eventually, your dog will realize that you won't be giving him attention or affection if he doesn't want to interact with other people
Step 3. Try to get him to hang out with other dogs
Some dogs become shy because they never learn how to interact with humans. If you're shy with humans but close to other dogs, try introducing your dog to a more sociable dog. Over time, dogs can learn from their friends how to behave around humans.
Step 4. Ask the person the dog shunned for help with food
After showing progress in interacting with humans, enlist the help of someone who is closer to the dog to provide him with food. For the safety of all parties involved, this should only be done on dogs that do not have signs of food aggression.
- To do so, the person must squat or sit on the floor.
- While avoiding eye contact, ask the person to hold out the bowl of dog food.
- Don't force the dog to come over and eat. Let the dog come on its own when it's ready.
Step 5. Be patient and keep doing the steps
Reward your dog with treats and praise whenever your dog is brave enough to interact with other people. Rewards should be given directly to help him relate the gift to his behavior.
