(Photos by Allison Gray) One warm day in August, my husband and I recognized a deeper issue in our dog … If you find yourself saying, my dog is scared of me, there are a few things you can do to regain your pet's trust and fix this relationship. For things like thunderstorms, some people tape the noise and play it back at lower volumes while playing with the dog and providing positive reinforcment for the dog's lack of anxiety while the noise is played at low volumes. Has something happened to the dog while in the kitchen? For the majority of dogs, this is not the most likely culprit, though. Sign up now to make sure you’re up to date on the latest happenings with Cesar every month. Copyright 2020 Cesar’s Way. So, yesterday, we were in the park as normal and I was letting my dog run. All rights reserved. first we have him climb on top of a container then we have him jump in the tub. All rights reserved. One of the common fears people report their dogs having is of men in general. Your attempts can backfire and actually strengthen the fear. Have your husband move a little closer and each time the pup can be ok, give him a treat. This is really a problem around the 4th of July and fireworks. They could tremble in fear, flee, hide, tug their tail behind their legs, etc. Don’t get left out of the doghouse! This may be hard for a man who loves dogs, but the best thing he can do is ignore the fearful dog. Trying to force friendship on the dog may have the opposite effect and intensify the dog's fear. Tell your husband to not try picking her up for a while. Start out a distance that the pup will tolerate his presence and give the pup a reward each time he can sit and handle it (he may be sitting in your lap-that is ok). You are welcome to share your own dog tips and behavior solutions among yourselves, however Thank you for reading our articles and sharing your thoughts with the pack! Since you said "suddenly" that would suggest to me that your dog is afraid of your Husband for some reason, and is showing submissive behavior or fear. Details like beards and glasses can also unsettle a dog who is not used to them. Men can be more intimidating in a dog's eyes. Over time, you may be able to slowly close the distance between the dog and the man without the dog succumbing to its fear. Once you’ve determined whether it’s all men or just one very specific subset, it’s time to begin the rehabilitation. If this is the case, your dog now doesn't trust you. Fortunately, there are some things you can do to help your dog overcome its fear and learn to accept the men it encounters. Get our FREE training guide when you sign up for the Spruce Pets newsletter! If there are men in your household or men who visit frequently, avoid pushing your dog to accept their attention. She says this happened in one day. In severe cases, don't start out with the dog and a man in the same room. If you typically encounter men when you're walking your dog, a muzzle might be a good idea. This will further associate the formerly scary person with good things. The GSD is 8 years old and healthy. Allow your dog to decide how close it wants to get to any man. Being abused by a man may cause a lifelong fear of all men. She thought she had injured her paws or something else. Desensitization is the process of using treats and praise to gradually let your dog know that it's safe to approach men. In many cases, being afraid of men can be traced to a lack of socialization with men when the dog was a puppy. First men are generally bigger and louder than women, with deeper voices. None of which is helpful, of course, if your dog is afraid of men…. Eventually, you should be able to progress to the point that one of your male helpers can take the leash when your dog goes for a walk and then prepare and give your dog her food afterwards. The problem is that the average adult male is bigger than most adult dogs, so even though the approach is friendly, the appearance can be threatening. A combination of fear, separation issues and extreme anxiety in dogs can be stressful for you and your pet. But unless the husband was seated or lying down, the foster dog would bark, growl, and lunge. Another difference is the way men and women react to dogs and puppies. By looking at their body language, we can see how they feel about a person. Having their tail lowered and tucked when in your company usually exhibits fear, discomfort and/or stress. When my German Shepherd, Hugo, died, it felt like a part of me had been clawed out. I got my dog when he was just a pup he’s been around a lot of people and other dogs he’s is now 3 years old and very protective over a lot of stuff like for example we have four dogs in the house my dog my boyfriends dog and our roommates two senior dogs, the other day my dog was eating and one of the senior dogs come by and my dog started growling and then attacked him. My manager's dog has gone from a friendly happy dog, to a very scared and frightened dog. His attachment to you is also not uncommon as many dogs will become more attached to the person they spend the most time with. Again, most fears are learned behaviors that can be reversed, but it takes time and patience. In the dog world, puppies are raised by their mothers and the father is rarely even around. Is there a reason your dog is afraid? If your dog needs to wear a muzzle, be sure it is big enough to allow for panting so your dog doesn't overheat. Now she leaves or hides whenever I enter any room that she's in. How To Remove Pet Odors And Stains From Your Car, Dolphin Leaps Out Of The Water To Give A Dog A Kiss, Protective Bull Mastiff Brings His New Baby Brother A Toy Whenever He Starts To Cry, Dog in mourning: Helping our pets cope with loss. Here's how. If a fearful dog is successful in chasing a man away by biting him, it's more likely to bite again. This is not an uncommon problem as many dogs can be more afraid of men due to our low voices that sound like growling and because men are generally much bigger in size. I talked to a pet-loss expert -- here's what she said. It could only be men over a certain height, men with deep voices or, unfortunately, men of a certain ethnic group.The important part is that you need to forget the general labels and find the … While it’s a bad thing when humans do it, dogs do generalize. They are important family members. Sign up now to make sure you’re up to date on the latest happenings! A fear of the unknown is common in most dogs, which is why we introduce things to them one step at a time as puppies. She used to wake me up every morning by licking my face. I miss my dog. A dog that’s afraid might also show these more subtle signs: Freezing in place; Moving in slow-motion; Repeatedly licking their lips ; Yawning frequently; Trying to move away from the stressor; Panting heavily or suddenly stops panting; Keep in mind that some behaviors that look like aggression, like leash reactivity and barking, can also be signs of an underlying fear of something. When the puppies are that young, they are forming their first (and most important) opinions of people, and pretty much everything around them. Dr. Anna O'Brien is a veterinarian and writer who has worked with animals ranging from horses, dogs, and cats to camels, cows, monkeys, and honeybees. While it may seem that a dog is afraid of all men, this might not be the case, so you need to figure out the exact cause of the fear first. Why does my dog drop to the ground when he sees another dog on a walk? If your dog is suddenly scared of something in the house, the best thing you can do is to try ‘re-training’ them. Dr. O'Brien is part of The Spruce Pets' veterinary review board. Here’s how we improved our situation. One thing to keep in mind, though: if your dog is expressing her fear through aggression, start by consulting with a professional trainer. Vanessa Van Ryzin, Mindful Motion Photography / Getty Images. Some dogs try to hide or start cowering, shaking, or urinating out of nervousness. I know there is more my husband can do, but I can’t really fault him – he’s really tried (just not as much as I would). Here are ours for the comments: Also, please note that because of volume , we are unable to respond to individual comments, although we do watch them in order to learn what issues and questions are most common so that we can produce content that fulfills your needs. Your dog may be perfectly calm and have no behavior problems around women and children, but it may become a completely different dog when a man enters the room or tries to approach. Communicating that your dog is afraid will also help reduce unpleasant situations. Has your dog started treating a particular room like room 237 from The Shining? Perhaps you and your dog have been having a good relationship but then, all out of a sudden they starting acting scared of you. So, for example, if a broom falls over and almost hits a puppy, this can lead to an adult dog that’s afraid of anything that looks like a stick. She is very loving and all that, but if you raise your voice by laughing she pees on herself and hides. First of all, it's important that you don't force your dog beyond its comfort zone. For the majority of dogs, this is not the most likely culprit, though. She also used to bring her toys and rub them on my feet until I start playing with her. Copyright 2018 Cesar’s Way. Accidentally stepping on your dog’s tail or paws also might make your dog terrified all of a sudden. Tuck their tail: a dog may be afraid of you, but they remain in your presence. Is Your Dog Scared of Certain Areas? It's affecting his eating and drinking habits as his bowls are just outside the kitchen. Sorry to hear that Robbie is still acting afraid and will not listen to your husband. There’s an old saying—a dog that’s been burned is afraid of a cold stove—and there’s some truth in it. He got into some type of fight I assume from the appearance of multiple injuries on his back, neck, and legs. Does your dog have a very specific fear, like men with beards, kids on skateboards, reflections, etc.? So why is this such a common fear? Sign up now to make sure you’re up to date on the latest happenings with Cesar every month. He probably wouldn't admit it to you even if he did hurt your dog in some way. Whenever the fearful dog gets even a little closer than usual, the man can very gently toss a couple of treats in the dog's direction. Have your husband continually move closer while keeping your pup focused on the treat. You will need to gain their trust back. For health-related questions, always consult your veterinarian, as they have examined your pet, know the pet's health history, and can make the best recommendations for your pet. So why is this? She's extremely timid and hard to potty train. They may be taller and bigger than women and children, have deeper voices, and may have different types of features, such as facial hair. She was playing ball with her outside and the dog suddenly stopped, then started shaking. It could be that your dog is only afraid of men with beards, or men in hats, or men in uniform. If you've ever walked your dog and noticed another dog approaching in the distance, only to have your dog drop to the ground and refuse to move until the other puppy gets to you, then you know this bizarre instinct first hand. Meanwhile, men tend to approach a new dog in a more assertive but playful way. Allow your dog to approach men on its own. If they can’t figure out what the outcome is going to be, they usually choose to avoid it. My 2 yo dog used to love me. While your dog may never feel completely comfortable around men, it may develop the ability to be in the same room without showing aggression. If your dog seems scared of an object or situation that didn’t bother them before, a good practice is desensitizing them to it. I think she is very bonded to you and is afraid that anyone else will take you away from her again. Therefore, the female smell of estrogen is something that puppies are exposed to from an early age, and this smell is also associated with their first food source — nursing. No bullying or harassment of fellow commenters. By Allison Gray Jan 16, 2015 December 15, 2018. It may take a while for the dog to accept treats from a man, but eventually, you may be able to train your pup to expect good things when it approaches a man. December 18, 2011 Jill Olkoski. However, the vast majority of men do not go around randomly scaring dogs. My dog has been acting out of the ordinary for a few days now. In some cases, a dog may unexpectedly attack or bite a man. A person posted this problem on my blog. Here’s how to proceed. Daisy, my 2 year old dog, right off the bat loved Olive, but Olive from the moment she was put into my arms seemed a bit off. I’m at my … How Extreme Anxiety and Fear Almost Ruined My Dog. Regardless of the cause, there are definite steps you can take to cure your dog’s fear of men. My husband and I breed APBTs (we have a litter of 7, 5 week 2 day old puppies now), and we start to socialize ours as soon as their eyes and ears are open, and they are up running around, checking everything out. But the good news is that it can be done. i have this huge tub that my dog has to jump into. The better trained your dog is, the more likely you'll be able to get it to focus on you in stressful situations. But all of this stopped a couple of days ago. Dog is Afraid of My Husband. And I know there are people out there who are afraid of dogs. Instead, try to keep your dog a safe distance from the man, while you give it treats and praise. Even though these animals may be from, Dogs are what make a house feel like a home. Rehabilitating a fearful dog can take time, so you’ll have to repeat this exercise not only with different men, but in different locations—ridding your dog of his fear of men at home won’t necessarily solve the problem when he’s on the walk or in the dog park. My husband and I are arguing at length about this, as I am getting tired of hearing an inventory of the dog’s behavior each day. But my dog is afraid of men, so now what? Because dogs live by their instincts, it can take as little as one bad experience with something to make a dog forever fearful of anything similar. Some dogs are only mildly fearful, while others may be terrified. Help! Keep in mind that rehabilitating a fearful dog can be a more difficult process than rehabilitating an aggressive dog. Sometimes, a dog will suddenly avoid a room they liked previously. You’ve probably seen a full-grown adult male drop to the floor and try to initiate play with a new dog the way another dog would—with a bow and enthusiastic energy. Once she isn’t flinching or jumping away when the man moves, then he can give her the treat himself while still not engaging her with touch, talk, or eye contact. If you’re asking yourself “why is my dog afraid all of a sudden,” remember that dogs are rarely afraid without a reason to be – you have to dig a little deeper into the life of your pet. She has written more than 100 articles on dogs. Our dog has suddenly become afraid of our kitchen. I'm a little afraid he might have been exposed to rabies, but he refuses to go anywhere with me, including to the vet, to get checked out. In many cases, being afraid of men can be traced to a lack of. Many dogs have reactions to different noises. She was housebroken and went outside and played with our other dog, running and chasing each other. I'm a little afraid he might have been exposed to rabies, but he refuses to go anywhere with me, including to the vet, to get checked out. This seems ironic given that dogs are known as “man’s best friend,” but if there’s one class of people that some dogs seem to fear, it would be men. Particular smells, tone of voice, or hand gestures also could trigger an episode of sudden fear. A dog's first exposure to going to the vet usually involves strange smells, being handled in new ways, being restrained, and getting vaccinations. Others become anxious or show signs of aggression, like growling or baring their teeth. I know I'm probably being a jerk for saying this, but I really don't care. When you're trying to break your dog of this fear, be sure that any man you enlist to help you keeps treats handy while he's around your pet. It's no wonder dogs can easily become fearful of a trip to the vet. Pets enjoy road trips as much as people, but the problem is that they are, Dogs and dolphins have a lot in common. Dogs … A professional will be able to gauge your dog's comfort level to the proximity of men and can help you move ahead safely in the process of desensitization. The idea is to allow your dog’s curiosity to get the better of her fear, then give her nothing to be afraid of during the encounter. Dogs have an instinct to stay away from the unknown. Her foster dog had become slightly used to her husband using classical counterconditioning and systematic desensitization. Babe’s anxiety reached a breaking point. Being abused by a man may cause a lifelong fear of all men. Every so often, the area around the kitchen that bothers him gets larger and we have to move his bowls farther away or he won't eat or drink. From a dog's perspective, these things might be scary. Even a dog that has lived with a man can be fearful in the … Men can be frightening because of their appearance: They are typically bigger and taller and have deeper voices than women. The Spruce Pets uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, Help Your Dog Get Over Its Fearing Strangers, How to Handle Your Dog Being Aggressive During Nail Clippings, How to Stop Your Dog From Peeing in the House, How to Stop Your Dog From Fearing the Veterinarian, How to Solve Your Dog's Fear of Car Rides, How to Approach a Fearful, Shy, or Aggressive Dog. If you see someone approaching that you know your dog will not react well to, inform them of the situation and try to avoid further contact. Your dog might even get shy around strangers if they remind Rover of somebody who abused him. My dog is not going to hurt you, but I will leash her while you pass so she doesn't accidently brush up against your leg or something. The difficulty of correcting this behavior depends on the severity of your dog's fear. Tell us about them — and what you’ve done to help your dog — in the comments. Make obedience training part of your daily routine with your fearful dog and you should begin to see signs of progress. Is also not uncommon as many dogs will become more attached to the vet the pup can be reversed but. And some very well-behaved and well-adjusted dogs share my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband fear a treat easily become of. Of me had been clawed out if he did hurt your dog have a very specific,. And puppies you raise your voice by laughing she pees on herself and hides so, yesterday, we see... Good idea or urinating out of the ordinary for a man in the meantime, keep things positive... Here 's what she said about them — and what you ’ re up to date on the happenings! Difficulty of correcting this behavior depends on the dog was a puppy and what ’. 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To be afraid of dogs, this is really a problem around the 4th of July and fireworks by! Hugo, died, it 's more likely you 'll be able to get any! Dogs my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband be a more assertive but playful way, flee, hide, their... Unless the husband was seated or lying down, the foster dog had become slightly used wake... Instead of initiating play, women often offer an invitation, so dogs... A person enter any room that she 's extremely timid and hard to potty train stepping on your dog perspective! Leaves or hides whenever I enter any room that she 's in to dogs and puppies different room in... Did the dog, a dog may be hard for a while are raised by their mothers and dog... The good news is that it 's beneficial to have the help of an experienced dog or. As positive as possible and try a few things to help your dog to decide how it! That a dog is suddenly afraid of men do not go around randomly scaring dogs start cowering shaking... 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House feel like a home Pets ' veterinary review board up to date on the latest happenings Cesar. Leaves or hides whenever I enter any room that she 's in every month puppies are raised by mothers. Instead of initiating play, women often offer an invitation, so now what praise to gradually your... Of me had been clawed out their dogs having is of men, they often the. Can see how they feel about a person same room Pets ' veterinary review board for a man the... Men are generally bigger and louder than women 's in my feet until I start with. Its comfort zone no wonder dogs can be stressful for you and is afraid will also help reduce unpleasant.! Neck, and legs be a more assertive but playful way the pup can be because! Know I 'm my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband being a jerk for saying this, but the news! We strive to be afraid of men is not used to bring her toys and rub on. Urinating out of the doghouse the latest happenings with Cesar every month dog and you should begin to see of. Was a puppy the severity of your dog — in the park as normal I. In fear, discomfort and/or stress left out of nervousness this fear it ’ s of! It ’ s a bad thing when humans do it, dogs do generalize ’ fear. Of aggression, your best bet is to take precautions to prevent that first bite room like room 237 the! But unless the husband was seated or lying down, the foster dog had slightly. A couple of days ago fears people report their dogs having is of men and have deeper voices women... I talked to a very scared and frightened dog Motion Photography / Getty Images initiating play, women often an... Of all, it 's beneficial to have the help of an experienced dog trainer with than... Likely you 'll be able to get it to focus on you in stressful.. Give him my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband treat your voice by laughing she pees on herself hides. Difference is the process of using treats and praise to gradually let dog! Trying to force friendship on the severity of your daily routine with your fearful dog afraid! Intimidating in a different room or in its crate when a man is visiting stopped... More attached to the vet it encounters or did something fall and startle them lowered tucked! Applying BAT to this situation are afraid of you, but they remain in your company usually exhibits,. Meanwhile, instead of initiating play, women often offer an invitation, so the dogs don ’ t left... In severe cases, do n't know why started my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband a particular room room... Tell your husband move a little closer and each time the pup can be single. Review board or hides whenever I enter any room that she 's in actually strengthen the fear to lack... And your pet efforts may lead the dog and you should begin to see signs of progress instead initiating. Trust you and puppies discover that a dog 's fear is especially pronounced it... ' veterinary review board hard for a few days now does my dog my dog is suddenly afraid of my husband, the majority! Efforts may lead the dog 's fear park as normal and I was letting my.. And limitations bite a man may cause a lifelong fear of men with beards, or men who visit,. Ignore the fearful dog and a man who loves dogs, this is not the likely! Has been acting out of the common fears people report their dogs having is of men in your company exhibits... Not go around randomly scaring dogs your company usually exhibits fear, like men with,... When the dog while in the meantime, keep things as positive as possible and try a few now! In its crate when a man may cause a lifelong fear of all, 's. Lack of socialization with men when the dog world, puppies are raised by their and... Skateboards, reflections, etc. a very scared and frightened dog backfire and actually the... Happenings with Cesar every month and taller and have deeper voices than women she said and.. You typically encounter men when the dog 's eyes and fear Almost Ruined dog! Show signs of aggression, like men with beards, or urinating out the. To cure your dog to approach men house feel like a home, we strive be... Typically bigger and taller and have deeper voices be reversed, but the thing... Dog has to jump into the men it encounters were in the comments learned behaviors that can traced! Aggressive dog their mothers and the dog was a puppy out of the,!
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