Dog fears: even the largest and most fearsome animals have phobias (video)

Faithfully protecting the owner from all dangers, dogs, however, have their own fears, which are very difficult for them to cope with. About the five main ones.

Tips from dog handlers

Experts say that All dogs are subject to some fears, regardless of size and strength. They recommend how to better manage these phobias:

“The main thing is that the owner does not try to make a fearless animal out of the dog, but tries to figure out the cause of the phobia. You can learn to cope with fears—switching to another activity, playing dog sports, or working with a dog handler usually helps. It’s not always possible to completely rid an animal of phobias, but you can make your pet’s life more comfortable.”

What are dogs afraid of, and how can you help them? About the five main phobias.

Sharp sounds and noise

Pops, gunshots, roars – these sounds easily cause alertness, panic and stress – in increasing order. You've probably noticed what happens to your pet during fireworks explosions on the street or a severe thunderstorm. Moreover, the reaction does not at all mean fear of all such phenomena. Sometimes a dog is afraid of fireworks, but is absolutely indifferent to the loud sound of a vacuum cleaner working nearby. And it happens the other way around.

One way to help your pet is convince him of the safety of these sounds. You can play an audio recording of fireworks or thunderstorms at home, starting at medium volume. By gradually increasing the volume, you will ensure that your dog perceives these events as normal without panicking. At the same time, it is better to conduct such training from puppyhood. Buy him also “loud” toys – ringing, squeaking, flashing.

Traveling by car

Some dogs simply love to ride in cars, while others are terrified. Your pet may whine and resist, flatly refusing to get into the car. But even if you manage to get him into the car, he will tremble and cry, feeling stressed.

The most important thing here is do not force the dog to get into the car. Let them “get to know each other” – let the dog sniff the car from all sides and from the inside. To do this, open the door, but give him time. If the dog voluntarily climbed inside, reward him. Gradually, he will definitely get used to it and will be happy to accompany you on your trips.

Cats see in the dark, but dogs are afraid of it

Dogs are like people. They are often very afraid of the dark, especially when they are puppies. In the dark, the dog gets restless, looks around warily, whines, sometimes refuses to move, and sometimes pulls on the leash. The thing is that in the dark the dog does not understand what surrounds it and where it is: the outlines of objects seem alien and unfamiliar, noise and movement are frightening. This phobia may be caused by health problems or frightening experiences in the past.

In this case, do not exclude evening walks, but it is better to take the dog out for a walk at dawn or sunset, at dusk. The dog should see how the outlines of objects change depending on the lighting. Choose a quiet place for walks, and gradually the dog will get used to the darkness. Over time, it will be possible to go out for a walk even earlier or later, so that the dog learns to perceive the darkness adequately.

Visit to the veterinarian

Agree, many of us don’t like going to the doctor. So are dogs – they try their best to avoid visiting the veterinarian, refusing to enter the office and resting their paws. Many of them probably remember things that happened there before – vaccinations, teeth brushing, temperature measurement and other troubles. An additional factor is the smell of other animals.

Try to reduce the time of your visit to the clinic: Arrive exactly on time, make a list of questions for the doctor in advance. Praise your dog for being brave and calm, even if he is obviously scared. Reward your pet with treats. And most importantly, remain calm yourself, because the dog can sense your mood and imbue with your confidence.

Fear of loneliness

Often barking and howling can be heard from the apartment where the dog is left alone. These sounds arise from the fear of loneliness. From puppyhood, the dog should be taught to be in a separate room: first leave it for 5-10 minutes and gradually increase this time to an hour or two. The dog will get used to it, and it will not be stressful for him while you leave home.

In addition, you can buy your pet a special cage or a spacious carrier, where the dog will feel comfortable being alone. Make sure your pet has the opportunity to entertain himself – buy toys. Give him enough attention, but don't pamper him too much: communication should be dosed and regular, then loneliness will not cause discomfort.

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