Dog Behaviour Problems - Fear of Humans

Overcoming a Dog's Fear of Humans

As a dog owner, you are likely to experience a number of challenges with your pet. Some dog owners have to deal with excessive barking or chewing while some have to deal with more serious behavioral issues - a fear of humans. When your dog is afraid of humans, it makes it difficult to take him out of the house or to have other people come to your house to visit. Luckily, this problem can be solved.

Causes of Fear

There are several reasons why a dog might be frightened around humans. Some dogs just have a gentler temperament than others and they may be frightened by strangers or loud voices. Another possibility is that your dog was not properly socialized as a puppy. Socialization should occur within the first 6 to 12 weeks of a puppy's life and it is incredibly important in shaping the way your dog reacts to new situations. A final possibility is that your dog was harmed by a person at some point and they continue to hold that memory which dictates their current behavior. This problem is fairly common in rescue dogs that were taken from abusive homes or strays that have been abandoned.

Dealing with the Problem

The first thing you need to do in order to deal with this problem is to make sure that your dog actually IS afraid of people. In some cases, a dog may simply be exhibiting signs of submissiveness by lowering his tail or whimpering without making any effort to avoid people. If your dog is truly afraid, he will be more likely to run or hide from people and may be seen trembling, panting or licking his lips. Some dogs also become aggressive when they are afraid, biting or snapping at the perceived threat.

To deal with your dog's fear it would be helpful to identify the people your dog fears and avoid bringing your dog into close proximity with those people. If you do need to take your dog out, keep him on a leash so you can keep him under control and keep a safe distance between your dog and other people. It may also help to keep your own voice and movements calm - this may help your dog to feel more comfortable.

If your dog's behavior becomes serious or overly aggressive, you may need to consult an animal behaviorist. An animal behaviorist will help you determine the root cause of your dog's fear and will help you develop a plan to deal with it. Remember, as you deal with your dog's fear it is important that you stay calm and do not give your dog more reasons to fear humans. Do not use punishment-based training methods and try not to raise your voice to your dog. By utilizing some of this advice you should be able to reduce your dog's fear of humans.