I’m noticing a huge increase in the number of dogs who have fear-related problems.I’m not talking about fear of thunderstorms, going to the vets, nail trimming, etc.It’s fear aggression.Barking, lunging, nipping or biting.How can you tell if it’s fear behind those behaviors, and what made the dog fearful in the first place?
Dogs need to be exposed to a variety of people, animals and situations as puppies, known as ‘socialization.’Weeks 5to 7 of the pups’ life are the most critical to preventing fear.Puppies who are well socialized during this period have a smaller chance of being fearful adults.Sadly, many of our dogs come from puppy mills – mass breeders or farmers who give little regard for how the puppies are raised.The pups have little human interaction and this contact is usually unpleasant.During the critical early weeks when pups need to be socialized, they are whisked away from their moms and sent to pet stores.Farmers are quick to adopt out the pups.They can send them home as early as 4 weeks.Pups who have been taken from their littermates too soon will not learn the proper doggie communications skills and may grow up to be dog aggressive.Dogs who bark ferociously at other dogs may really be scared of dogs because he/she did not have the opportunity to learn from the littermates.
Genetics also plays a big part.A fearful mother or father can pass along the fear gene.No matter how much socialization and training the dog receives may not undo bad breeding.A few years ago, I had a woman with a very fearful Black Lab in one of my obedience classes.She proudly said she planned to breed the dog “because she was so beautiful.”I pointed out how fearful the dog was, and she replied that the dog’s mother was that way too when she bred her.Sheesh!
Dogs also can learn to be fearful with even the best socialization as pups.A bad experience can cause your dog to be fearful.Take children, for example.Even if the dog is raised from a pup with children, continual abuse from a child will cause even the most loving and trusting dog to protect itself.The dog can learn to fear being around any child as a result of just one child hurting him/her.
Our society also plays a big part in dogs’ behavior.We are becoming more and more closed off, staying home to watch TV or surf the Net instead of going outside to interact with others.Many dogs spend a great deal of time inside the house or in a yard with little or no contact with other dogs, children and adults other than family members.When the dogs do encounter strangers, fear is a common reaction.
Knowing the basis of fear-related issues in dogs can help with resolving the problems.Next month, we’ll go into solutions.