What to do if your Dog is Insecure
If your dog is acting insecure, you may assume it is a behavioral issue. Your veterinarian will want to perform a physical exam and some tests to be sure there is not a medical reason behind the insecure behaviors. Blood tests and a urinalysis can help identify any infections or imbalances in body chemicals and hormones. If any masses or abnormal skin areas are identified during the exam, imaging techniques or a skin scraping or biopsy may be taken. Your vet will ask you basic questions about your dog’s diet, elimination habits, and any possible exposures to infectious agents or toxins. The age and breed of your dog will also be factored in. An eye, ear, and neurological exam can help to identify age-related issues such as cognitive dysfunction, and hearing or vision loss, while X-rays can verify arthritis. If no physical reason can be identified, then your veterinarian will look at behavioral issues that could be causing the problem.
The best way to diagnose a behavioral disorder or condition is to monitor your dog’s behavior and note any triggers that may have prompted the unwanted behavior, such as noises, people, or when your dog is left alone. Videotaping your dog during insecure moments can help your veterinarian determine what may be causing the insecurity.
Once you have determined what is causing the behavior, a treatment plan can be crafted with your veterinarian. Any medical condition will be treated accordingly. For age-related issues, pain and anti-anxiety medications may help, as can mental stimulation through toys and games, ramps to assist in movement, and a safe, quiet place to rest.
Anxiety, fears, and stress can be managed through reduction of triggers and stressful environments, as well as anti-anxiety and antidepressant medications to calm your dog. New animals should be introduced slowly in a neutral location, using positive reinforcement, and continuing your dog’s normal routines. Techniques including behavioral modification, counterconditioning and desensitization can help your dog gain confidence and learn how to respond more appropriately to fearful situations. Becoming the leader your dog needs can help him to learn the rules and become less unsure of himself and his surroundings.
While some dogs may seem predisposed to insecure behaviors, providing good socialization while young can give your dog the confidence he needs to be able to tackle any situation in his life. Expose him to new people, animals, and environments while a puppy to prevent anxieties and fears from becoming behavioral problems.
The cost of treatment for your insecure dog can vary considerably, depending on the reason for the insecure behavior. Behavioral problems can range from $200 to $1000, with fears and anxieties averaging $375, while aggression can be closer to $500. Age-related conditions can range up to $2500, with arthritis and dementia averaging $325. Overall, treatments can range from $200 to $3000 or higher.
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Go back into your house with your friend and once inside, get your pooch to sit or stay. This takes their mind of what that spooky stranger coming through the door is doing. Let the friend put a treat on the floor and step back. The dog can have the treat or toy while still on the leash. Spend time with the friend while the dog enjoys their reward.
When early man made a pact with wolves, they probably had no idea how it would all pan out. As dogs were selectively bred for hunting, herding, and to look a certain way, the genetics were slowly changed. Dogs now lived up-close-and-personal with people and their personalities. One pup from a litter might have landed on their paws with a well-adjusted family who is confident and kind. The other pup might not have been so lucky, becoming a novel item for the kids to play with. In this home, there could be arguing and general unrest. Two pups from the same litter could grow up to be very different dogs, with the first being a self-assured, adult mutt while the other is insecure and snaps like the pet-dad does at the kids.
Historically, dogs have been at the brunt of humans behaving badly and thanks to the compassionate souls who rescue and run non-profit shelters; many of them can be re-homed. The caring folks at these shelters see dogs with broken spirits, yelping or growling as they try to understand what humans want.
Like people who are low in self-esteem, some dogs lack confidence, making them fearful of their surroundings. They may have seen a darker side of life where being alone and neglected was all they ever knew. People also have it hard trying to compete in this world. “Will I get the job?” or “Does my partner love me?” are thoughts racing through the mind of an insecure soul. We align with pooches in so many ways and insecurity is a huge issue for both humans and dogs
Fear aggression is common in rescue dogs with a shambolic past life. They are scared to death but come out guns blazing in full flight ready to take on that scary dog or person. It could also be lack of socialization, as a dog has no idea how to behave in the real world.
What Are the Signs of Insecurity in a Dog?
The signs of insecurity in a dog may be obvious or may only be observed over time. Whatever the case may be, an insecure dog will display some rather telling traits.
Helping an INSECURE Dog (feat. Jerry Seinfeld!) | Cesar911 Shorts
When a dog experiences fear, trauma or separation from her pack or people, she can quickly change from being a confident, happy soul to an insecure and anxious pooch. Consistent work with your dog can build confidence and put the skids on serious problematic behaviors, such as destruction and aggression.
Recognize the signs of an insecure dog so you know what you are dealing with. Observe your dog for behavior such as keeping her head low with her tail tucked between her legs. She may cower or urinate submissively, or chew or bark needlessly.
Act as a strong, clearly-defined pack leader to your pup, and one she can trust. Train her with basic obedience skills to sit, stay, come, heel and lie down, which helps her to build confidence. Be consistent with your signals, moods and words so she knows what you want from her. Your dog can sense when you are not a strong leader and will try to tackle the role herself.
Change your dog’s body language to a more confident stance if she is acting insecure in your training sessions. For example, lift her tail up to a confident or normal position if it is tucked beneath her, or gently lift her chin if she is hanging her head down and unsure of what you are asking her to do.
Ignore your dog when she is insecure, and praise her when she displays assurance or confidence, especially in instances in which she was previously fearful or insecure. Avoid coddling her; she will think the coddling is a reward, which reinforces her fearful behavior.
Provide positive reinforcement, rewarding good behavior with treats or praise. Avoid the use of force, punishment, shouting or pulling your dog. This method does more damage than good, according to dog expert Victoria Stillwell.
Crate-train your dog, especially if she displays destructive behavior. Ensure that it is just big enough for your dog to turn around. A crate provides your dog with a den-like, closed-in atmosphere of her own.
Project a calm yet assertive energy when dealing with your dog. Your dog picks up on your emotions, so if youre anxious or insecure in what youre doing, your dog can sense it and will mirror you.
Elle Smith has been an advertising professional for more than 25 years. Her work for ABC, CBS and Sony Pictures Television has appeared on radio, on air, in print and outdoors. In addition, Smith has more than 20 years experience in marketing, graphic arts, commercial photography and print production, and is a licensed real estate agent with property management certification in California.