Pet Care Club

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Working Through Dog Phobias

Dogs are like their human housemates in many ways.  Just as humans can experience phobias, so can dogs.  Dog phobias are more common than most people realize and can be related to a variety of situations or objects.  One of the biggest dog phobias is fear of noise, such as sirens and thunderstorms.  Following closely behind in popularity are stranger phobias and being left alone. 

Many dog phobias start early, before a puppy has been socialized.  If a dog does not experience different situations growing up, he will become fearful of new situations and people as he grows.  In addition, one bad experience associated with a situation, sound or event can cause dog phobias to develop. 

It helps to know where the dog phobias began, but this knowledge is not necessary in helping your dog overcome them.  In addition, dogs with health problems, especially those that cause pain, may develop phobias for things that they associate with the pain.  One way to prevent the development of these dog phobias is to provide proper nutrition and pain relief for your dog.  Vitamins and other remedies could help you in this endeavor.

Fear and dog phobias are related, but are not the same.  Dog phobias are fear carried to an extreme and can occur at the slightest reminder of the triggering event.   Symptoms can range from simple trembling and tucking a tail between their legs to racing around and barking incessantly or hiding.  Additional behaviors manifested my dog phobias include raised hair on the back and neck when the stimulus is present and the flattening of ears against the head.  While these are often associated with aggression, they start as fear.  A dog’s flight or fight instincts will kick in and, if he can’t run, he will fight.  It is for this reason that many dogs are mis-categorized as aggressive when it is merely dog phobias that are the cause.

If you can’t keep your dog out of the situations that cause the dog phobias, you can gradually de-sensitize him to these situations that cause fear.  If the phobia involves noise, try reproducing the noise regularly within an environment the dog feels safe and comfortable in.  Over time, he will learn the sound is not harmful and will be less likely to feel apprehensive.  If the dog phobias involve people or places, gradually introduce your dog to the situations, making sure to take your time and not push too hard or fast.  In time, he will learn to feel comfortable.

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