Fear has many faces

Fear is essential for survival. It has protected dogs from danger through the course of their evolution. There are a lot of things dogs may fear in today's world, and some of them are difficult for us to understand. Another thing that is sometimes tricky for us to see is that dogs show fear in different ways.

When we think of a dog who is afraid, we imagine them cowering, trying to escape, showing the whites of the eyes and similar. Granted, this is how a fearful dog might behave. But it is not the only way.

Attempts to create distance

Dogs might use distance creating signals when afraid. These include barking, growling and lunging. Often people think that such dogs are anything but afraid - they describe them as aggressive, even dominant. The dominance theory was debunked decades ago, and yet it lives in peoples' minds. In reality, such behaviours are often a dog's attempt to protect themself from a perceived threat. We might not see whatever the dog is worried about as a threat, but our dog does.

Or the other way around …

Dogs might try to create distance from a perceived threat. But sometimes they may also get closer. This seems counterproductive, but it makes some sense: the dog may feel they have a better chance of observing the threat and reacting if needed. At the same time, their distance creating signals may have more impact.

A dog barking and growling at a person, muzzle an inch away from their leg, is potentially a very dangerous scenario where a bite may be next. But if we understand that fear is present, this can guide us in making better choices.

What to do about fear?

First, a calm deescalation is needed. Afterwards, we need a management plan. We temporarily avoid situations that make a dog feel and behave in a certain way. This helps reduce stress and makes learning new behaviours possible.

In the long run, there is one antidote against fear - choice. Dogs who have choices are able to gradually let go of their fears. This can be a long process. If your dog is experiencing a lot of fear or showing fear when exposed to certain triggers, we advise you to work with a knowledgeble and ethical behaviour consultant that understands how management and choice can best be used to achieve success.