Realistic Expectations: Some of the things that frighten dogs can be difficult to reproduce and/or control. For example, if your dog is afraid of thunderstorms, he may be responding to other things that occur during the storm, such as smells,  barometric pressure changes and/or changes in the light. During the desensitization process it is impossible for you to reproduce all of these factors. If your dog is afraid of men, you may work at desensitizing him, but if an adult man lives in your household and your dog is constantly exposed to him, this can disrupt the gradual process of desensitization. When To Get Help Because desensitization and counter conditioning can be difficult to do, and because behavior problems may increase if these techniques are done incorrectly, you may want to get professional, in-home help from an animal behavior specialist (see our handout: “When The Behavior Helpline Can’t Help”). It is important to keep in mind that a fearful dog that feels trapped or is pushed too far may become aggressive. Some dogs will respond aggressively to whatever it is that frightens them (see our handout: “Understanding Aggression In Dogs”). If your dog displays any aggressive behavior, such as growling, snarling, snapping or baring his teeth, stop all behavior modification procedures and seek professional help from an animal behavior specialist as soon as possible. Consult With Your Veterinarian Medication may be available that can help your dog feel less anxious for short time periods. Your veterinarian is the only person who is licensed and qualified to prescribe medication for your dog. Do not attempt to give your dog any over-the-counter or prescription medication without consulting with your veterinarian. Animals do not respond to drugs the same way people do, and a medication that may be safe for humans could be fatal to your dog. Drug therapy alone will not reduce fears and phobias permanently. In extreme cases, behavior modification and medication used together may be the best approach. New Products There are products being marketed by reputable companies to help with anxiety and stress relief in dogs. Please note that none of these is an automatic cure for fear/anxiety, but should be used in conjunction with behavior modification techniques. Please see our handout “Tools for Managing Your Pet’s Anxiety” for more information. What Not To Do ››Do not punish your dog for being afraid. Punishment will only make him more fearful. ››Do not try to force your dog to experience the object or situation that is causing him to be afraid. For example, if he is afraid of bicycles and you force him to stand in place while bicycles whiz by, he will probably become more fearful, rather than less fearful of bicycles. ››Never punish your dog after the fact for destruction or housesoiling caused by anxiety or fear. Animals do not understand punishment after the fact, even if it is only seconds later. This kind of destruction or housesoiling is the result of panic, not misbehavior. Punishment will do more harm than good. ››Do not attempt to reassure your dog when he is afraid. This may reinforce his fearful behavior. If you pet, soothe or give treats to him when he is behaving fearfully, he may interpret this as a reward for the fearful behavior. Instead, try to behave normally, as if you do not notice his fearfulness. Article submitted by: © Dumb Friends League/Humane Societey of Denver, Co.

Dog Behavior Problem Training: Dog behavior problem training encompasses every aspect of canine education, from the species specific responses that's inherent to canines, to learning theory and operant conditioning, to traditional training methods. When these training techniques are properly implemented, most people notice results immediately. A well mannered pet is now within your reach, all you need to do is optimally structure your pet's environment. A dog behavior problem can often be directed and controlled by training.  Dog behavior can be thought of as responses that are specific to their species. These responses are controlled and directed by manipulating the social and the environmental variables. We call this training. Training can increase responses that are desirable, just as those that are undesirable can be decreased. Your dog behavior problem is often a direct result of the animal's inability to cope with the stress of everyday life. The purpose of training is to raise the pet's stress threshold so your pet can tolerate higher levels of stress. A human and dog behavior problem should not be confused with each other.    The response patterns and intellect of a canine is very different from that of humans, although we do share some common traits. One of these traits is the drive to form close social groups with strong bonds to significant others. This bonding can be thought of as a kind of love. Even though this type of bonding is a natural trait in both canines and humans, we must avoid endearing our pets with human emotions.  Learning to differentiate and respect a dog’s different needs from our own human needs, is the first step in conquering a dog behavior problem.