The Fearful Dog

By Dr. Nicholas H. Dodman - Professor and Head, Section of Animal Behavior; Director of Behavior Clinic, Tufts University School of Veterinary Medicine

Why is it that some dogs are nervous Nells (or Neds) while others are self-assured and outgoing? Why, when, and where does their insecurity start and what can we do to help them? Like all stories, this one starts at the beginning - the earliest days of their lives. Oh sure, genetics plays a role doesn't it always?) - and some breeds and breed lines are known for a tendency towards anxious behavior, even frank fearfulness, but an inane predisposition for the development of fears can be thought of more as the fertile soil on which fears grow.

The vast majority of fearful dogs acquire their fears as a result of under socialization and/or adverse experiences, particularly in the early formative stage of their lives referred to as the "sensitive period." In dogs, this period is between 3 and 14 weeks of age. More harm (or good) can be done during this period than is currently recognized by the people who could make a difference, breeders, veterinarians, and puppy owners.

If a young pup spends the first two to three months with its mom and littermates in a warm and friendly environment and is allowed to explore and interact with its surroundings at a pace its own curiosity dictates, all is well. Premature dislocation of the pup from its canine family without replacing the comfort and security of maternal and sibling bonds is a primary reason for the development of fearfulness.

Think about what happens to puppy mill dogs. They are plucked from their mothers at a young age and shipped to pet stores where they wait for "Godot" to come. Lonely and confused, they have no one to turn to when lights go out. The horror. Well meaning shoppers purchase these damaged goods, often without enough forethought, and bring them home with best intentions.

The advice they receive at this stage is often wrong. "You mustn't cater to all that crying at night," they are told by storeowners. "You'll only get more of the same if you do." "Keep them away from other dogs," says the veterinarian with his mind on health matters. "Crate him when you leave," adds the trainer, "and bring him to puppy training classes at four months old so that we can begin socializing him to other pups and people."

Training provides an important way to bond and interact with your dog. Puppy kindergarten or an obedience class teaches simple exercises for both owner and dog to learn, and the social aspect of being introduced to other dogs and humans is invaluable. Then when the dogs are exposed to visitors or other companion animals, they're more likely to be properly behaved.

They are all wrong.

A puppy should be given attention when it needs it; company when it's lonely; and an active socialization program right from the get-go. If you give this kind of attention in the formative months of a pup's life it will grow up to be confident and self-assured and eventually able to handle the outside world on its own with its new-found independence. It's the same with children. The more attention you give at the beginning, the prouder and less worried you will be down the line.

But good socialization and protection from adverse learning experiences at the beginning of a pup's life is not all the puppy owner has to consider. There's also communication, education of the pup about the right way to behave, rewards for jobs well done, and limit setting (just like mama would have done). Without the latter, our now non-fearful pup can turn into a yuppie puppy, a spoiled child, and overconfident underachiever - but that's another story.