Fearful dogs are just that: afraid of [fill in the blank]. That fear holds them back them from trying new things, entering new relationships and participating in a wide range of enriching experiences.
I work very hard to foster curiosity with all my dogs, especially the shy ones. I encourage them to sniff in new places, to take treats from a variety of surfaces and to push just a little bit past their innate wariness to try something new.
I reward curiosity with treats, praise and by taking an interest in what they’re interested in. Great smelling fire hydrant? Excellent! Chipmunk hole? Super! Unidentified dead thing? Uhhh…yay!
The more our dog explores the unknown and receives positive feedback, the more curious he becomes, and the more confidence he gains. Isn’t that what we all want for all our dogs?
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