29/09/2025
Fearless or fearful Fido?
Why I don't try to lure over an anxious dog...
Just because a dog approaches you, it doesn't always mean they are happy ⚠️⚠️⚠️
Recently I've been working with a few dogs who appear confident, but in fact are actually nervous and often have this false sense of security. Before I go any further let me explain with a human and dog example:
I have a phobia of clowns 🤡🤡🤡
However if a clown is waving a £50 note at me, this could encourage me to go up to him/her and collect it despite fearing them in the first place! 💲💲💲
However once I get there and receive my money I may then get 'stuck' a bit like a rabbit in headlights.
I freeze.
My heart beats faster.
I press my tongue against my lips.
I try to turn the other way. In what seems like no time at all the dressed up person moves, waving his or her hand towards me, I freak out.
Now let's see it from the dog's point of view...
A guy stands near a fearful dog, he's waving a nice juicy steak at it. The nervous dog approaches him, the thought of the steak temporily masks the fear. Then as the steak is once eaten.
The dog becomes 'stuck'.
Essentially, the steak act as a 'magnet' and draw the dog in past their safe area.
This is often known as the 'magnet effect'.
Sometimes they will get 'stuck' and the only way they know how to get themselves out of that situation is to use what has worked in the past, avoidance, subtle body language and eventually if this fails - aggressive behaviours.
So as long as the treats are continually being dispensed, the dog is occupied enough and forgets about the threat...
The guy looms over it, he's head on, there's not much space to retreat too 🔃🔃🔃
The dog shows the white of it's eyes.
licks it's lips.
Then turns it's head.
The dog is trying to avoid eye contact but this doesn't work. The dog feels it can't get away and then starts to fixate on the guy, fuelled by the worry of his next move. The guy then takes a step forward. The dog goes over threshold. The dog lunges.
So how can you help?
1. Treat and retreat
Instead of luring the dog towards you, toss a treat just behind it and move away. This helps reduce the social pressure of having to go directly towards you in order to get a treat.
2 . Positive interupter/call back
Don't let your dog struggle, if it starts to look uneasy, be it's wingman and call it back.
3. Read and know your dog's body language
As above read your dog's body language, know when it's feeling uneasy and give it a helping hand. If early signs go unnoticed the dog has little choice but to move up the 'ladder of aggression'.
4. A safe place to settle
When visitors arrive allow your dog to have a safe place to retreat too. Teach a settle on your dog's bed and practice reinforcing this behaviour in controlled set ups. A baby gate will help as a preventative measure. Make sure you create that distance.
5. Behaviour modification
With any nervous or anxious dog I always recommend getting in touch with a *professional. They can talk you through and practically demonstrate a behaviour modification plan using counter conditioning and desensitisation (creating lots of positive associations with whatever is scaring it, below threshold). These methods help address the underlying emotional issues.
* Please always seek a veterinary professional to rule out any pain issues. For behavioural support we only work on a vet referral.
Always listen to the dog, seek permission before approaching and in the case of anxious/reactive dogs always give space. Not all dogs want to say hello and we need to respect that.
Thanks for reading,
Helen Motteram
