How to Socialize a Fearful Dog, Part 1
Does your dog bark at guests that come to your home? Does he seem fearful when you take him out? Maybe you’ve tried some things to help him calm down, but it doesn’t seem to be working.
Over the next three weeks, the Koinonia blog will focus on the topic of socializing fearful dogs:
Is it too late to socialize?
The limits of socialization
Dos and do nots for socializing the fearful dog
Is it too late to socialize?
If your dog is over 4 months old, yes, it is too late to socialize in the traditional sense. But don’t freak out!
Between 8 and 16 weeks old, puppies are especially receptive to learning about new people, objects, animals, and activities. Socialization done during this period is proactive: we’re building happy feelings before she develops fear or aggression.
If the dog is over 16 weeks old and actively fearful or aggressive, our efforts are no longer about prevention. The “socialization” these dogs need is called desensitization and counter-conditioning. These dogs need their fear exchanged for pleasure.
It’s rarely too late for some level of desensitization and counter-conditioning. However, progress may be limited by how long the dog’s been fearful and how severe the behavior is.
Even if you think it might be too late for your fearful or aggressive dog, please get in touch with a qualified professional dog trainer who specializes in behavior modification. They have the expertise to look at your dog as an individual, and let you know what can be done to help!