Written by Administrator

Monday, 13 September 2010 04:11

Have you ever seen a dog and became afraid that he may be fear biting you? Believe it or not, many dogs will bite because they, too, are scared.

Fear biting should never be confused with a bite that happens out of aggression (which can signal a deeper set of personality issues);

dogs that are fear bitng are usually not violent dogs. However, it’s cause to understand why a dog would bite out of fear.

If you own a dog, it’s important to understand that it’s his way to express to you their fears and that he can’t handle the circumstance.

The real problem of fear biting is humans. People often want to comfort things that are scared, which for dogs is the worst thing that can be done.

After all, they are already anxious about what is going on around them.

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When you approach a dog already on edge, you can push them past their comfort zone, which will cause them to lash out with fear biting. Remember dogs can’t tell you what’s wrong or that they need space.

You need to read it through their body language. How can you tell if a dog is feeling scared, is fearful or panicky?

The Warning Signs Behind Fear Biting:

Actually, there are several signs to watch out for. It’s up to you, the dog owner, to determine how your dog is feeling.

Most fear biting dogs are submissive. When they are placed into a new situation, they may not have the confidence to react well and become nervous and edgy. Dogs that are scared will display certain behaviors. Here are some common behaviors to watch out for.

- Bathroom Accidents – very scared dogs may urinate or poop on themselves before fear biting.

- Behavior – hyperventilating or lots of panting

- Eye Contact Avoidance – some dogs when they are extremely fearful will avoid making eye contact.

- Lowered, Hunched back – the dog’s ears are flat against his head and elbows are slightly bent into a crouch.

- Stance – the dog’s tail is tucked or crouched down between the legs.

Why Dogs Become Fear-Biters:

When dogs are about eight and 14 weeks of age, they have a fear biting imprint stage, which makes them prone to be distressed by new experiences and new people.

Whenever a dog gets scared during this imprint and the owner hasn’t addressed it appropriately, this fear can turn into a long-term phobia.

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It’s not uncommon to find dogs that are just highly-strung by nature. This is usually seen on a breed-by-breed basis. Breeds that are intelligent or need close human contact usually develop phobias or are shy.

Another reason dogs commit fear biting is a history of abuse. This is especially true with dogs that have been abandoned or been abused. These anxious dogs can become fear-biters if they don’t get appropriate, timely treatment.

How To Handle With Fear Biting:

The best treatment for a fearful dog is one that includes consistency, patience and persistence. If you’re pushy, rough or loud, you’ll only exacerbate the problem and your dog’s anxiety.

Dogs that are scared cannot be trained to not bite; after all, your dog is responding to a mixture of panic and instinct.

Two Ways To Train Your Dog Not To Fear Bite:

So what can you do to ensure that your dog can be trained to overcome fear biting? Actually, there are two things:

- First, boost your dog’s confidence levels so that his anxiety levels are reduced.

- Second, pay special attention to things that will cause him to become fearful and desensitize him to it.

Train Your Dog – Boost His Confidence:

When you want to boost your dog’s confidence, consider obedience training, which allows you the chance to dote your dog. You want to reward your dog for the great behavior he is showing. Begin small with the basics and work your way up.

Begin the obedience training with easy commands that he can follow and be comfortable with. After he has the technique down, reward your dog for their efforts with treats and praise.

Make sure to train at least 10 minutes every day.

Train Your Dog – Desensitizing Him To Fearful Things:

If you want to desensitize your dog, you’ll need to go slow, pacing it at when he feels comfortable. You want to maintain your dog’s comfort levels so make sure your dog is always happy and peaceful. You want to make sure that your dog learns from the direct experience that there really isn’t anything to fear.

(If your dog is fear biting beacuse of the vacuum cleaner, integrate it into your daily life and push it slowly in the beginning until he realizes there isn’t anything to fear from it.)

Counter-Condition Your Dog:

After your dog is calm enough about the fearful item and pretty calm in general when it’s around, it’s time to counter-condition him. You do this by getting him to associate the item with something pleasant such as treats, as long as there are improvements in the levels of fear.

What To Do For Your Dog:

Be a good role model for your dog since the emotional and psychological behaviors he will get from you and how you act. Make sure to have a straightforward attitude and abide by it at all times.

If you notice your dog is scared, speak to him in a calm manner. This way he can deal with the stressor without the added stress from you.

Ensure to socialize your dog through his life. Make sure he is in different but comfortable situations so that you show him there’s nothing to be frightened about.

Always pay special mind to your dog’s body language. If you notice the dog is wetting himself or hyperventilating, you need to give your dog space. Not giving your dog space creates a situation in which he will bite, not out of malice but out of fear.

Remember that praises and treats should be given only when you want to reinforce positive behaviors.

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