28/09/2021
🐶Fear is a normal emotion that becomes maladaptive in anxious dogs. Fear is determined by both genetics and the environment as well as each individual dog. There are multiple reasons why a dog would be scared and show a fearful response.
Here are some examples:
*Genetics, lack of socialization,
*Insufficient or inappropriate training to learn self-control,
*A frightening experience or a combination of these can cause fear reactivity.
*Forcing a dog into a situation they are unsure of or forcing an interaction when they don’t want to interact.
*Inappropriate social canine interactions, especially during the early critical stages of canine behavioural development
🐕The body language of a fearful dog would be the following:
Turning away to avoid eye contact. Paw lifts, tail tucked between the back legs. Ears may be pinned back, and the dog may start to yawn and lip lick. The body may appear low, face tense and eyes may be wide, ‘hard’, and pupils dilated. The moth may be closed, and the dog's weight may be distributed to the hind legs in case they want to run away and escape, and the body may be stiff and ridged. The dog may also be displaying teeth and growling.
Other signs include:
Panting
Drooling
Abnormal urination and defecation
Pacing
Decrease in appetite
Excessive grooming
Hiding /avoiding
Big eye with dilated pupils
🐾Dogs that are perceived to be difficult usually are either poorly trained dogs or dogs that live in a state of strain and pressure.
A dog who is relaxed and content shows an obviously different demeanor. Their body face appears soft. Ears are in the dog's natural carriage for their breed. Eyes are soft. The Head is up and the mouth is open with the tongue slightly exposed or out but still in a ‘relaxed’ position. Tail up and may broadly wave in circular motions. The whole dog’s demeanor is nonthreatening or worried.
