How to help my scared dog build confidence and overcome fears?

Question

Could you give me advice on building my dogs confidence and getting her used to things she's scared of like dogs, people, children, footballs. Pet's info: Dog | Rhodesian Ridgeback | Female | unspayed | 1 year and 6 months old

Jennifer Summerfield, DVM CPDT-KA · Accepted Answer

Poor Star! It sounds like she's a very anxious girl, if she's afraid of so many things. You can work with her on this by taking tasty treats with you everywhere you go - if she sees something that makes her nervous, praise her and give her a treat. If she wants to move closer to investigate, let her do this - if she would rather move away, that's fine too. It's very important not to force her into situations that scare her or make her uncomfortable, as this will only make the problem worse. You might also want to try a DAP pheromone collar along with a natural calming supplement like Zylkene or Composure to see if this helps. A veterinary behaviorist or a good reward-based trainer would also be very helpful for you, if you feel like you need some hands-on guidance - your vet should be able to refer you to someone in your area who can help, if needed.

How to help my scared dog build confidence and overcome fears?

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