How to Handle a Nervous Dog Blog about Pet Animals

A nervous dog usually inherits the trait from its parents, or may have been abused by previous owners in the case of rescue dogs. A nervous dog will need extra care when you are trying to introduce it to new situations or people. Nervous dogs are more cautious with everyday situations, so it is important to properly socialise them as early as possible. You want new experiences to be positive and you have to be careful not to overwhelm or scare a nervous dog.

If you don't know what to look for you might not notice the signs that a dog is nervous. The dog may lick its lips, yawn, look away or try to back up and hide. Once you notice the signs either move your dog away or give him a toy or start to play with him. This helps your dog associate the experience with something pleasant.

If the first signs go unnoticed the dog may begin to cower, pant or tuck its tail between its legs. It's best if you don't try to force your dog into situations to help them get used to it. If a dog is forced into situations and can't escape he may resort to growling, lunging or snapping. the last thing you need is for you dog to bite someone because he is scared - not only could someone be seriously hurt, but it could end up costing you an increase in your dog insurance premium if your dog is deemed to be a liability.

It is importannt to remember never to punish your dog for displays of nervous behaviour - it will only intensify the reaction. Punishing them could also make the dog afraid of you. If you know that specific things frighten your dog try to control the exposure to the problem or link it with something pleasant the dog likes; such as treats, chew toys or play.

You should gradually expose your dog to the situation which he is nervous about and look for any signs of anxiety. You have to be patient and once your dog gains confidence and starts to relax you can slowly continue to introduce him to other new situations. This may take some time, even weeks. When your dog copes well in a scary situation make sure you reward him with a treat and lots of praise. Eventually your dog will become used to new people or situations as long as you take the time to introduce things gradually with patience and understanding.