My dog is afraid of people: where to start
Hablando en Perro22 May 20247 min read
Reactivity towards people almost always comes from fear. A gentle guide to understanding your dog and opening a path without forcing anything.
Fear is not "removed", it is accompanied
A dog that barks at or moves away from strangers is not being "bad" or "dominant". They are asking for distance.
First: safe distance
Always work below the reaction threshold. If your dog can look at the person and calmly look back at you, you are at the right distance.
Tools that actually work
- Systematic desensitization at the dog's pace.
- Counter-conditioning, associating people with something good, without pressure.
- Known routes to reduce surprises.
Forcing greetings, rewarding "letting themselves be touched" or scolding the barking breaks trust and consolidates fear.
#miedo#reactividad#socialización