Dog's fear

Owners often consider their dog as an abstract ideal dog, descended from a novel. They think that from the first days after appearance in the house it will behave as a knight without fear and reproach. Forgetting that, without the instinct of self-preservation dog's ancestors couldn't survive in the struggle for existence, people treat its manifestations in the dog as their personal tragedy, are disappointed in their pet and lose contact with it.

Of course, dog's behaviour largely depends on breed and heredity. Representatives of some breeds will not engage in a battle with a strong opponent to protect the owners or themselves, but will prefer to run away or bark at a safe distance. But even in case of perfect fighting hereditary, supposed fearlessness is not guaranteed. Much of it depends on the proper training of the puppy for, whether the owners will be able to drive the instinct of self-preservation off, or it will become dominant and will define all dogs' actions.

Perhaps the most important in nurturing fearlessness is to get rid of your own fears that the dog can become a coward. You shouldn't expect fighting qualities from a small puppy.

However the instinct of self-preservation is poorly developed in a puppy, because for this age it is natural to be under mother's protection. When a puppy is taken by new owners, it quickly adapts to their apartment and starts to behave confidently. Many owners take it for courage. No, this is just its inexperience: it still has no concept of strangers, it knows nothing about danger.

Only two-or-three-months-year-old puppy begins to distinguish between ins and outs, to express mistrust to strangers. It isn't self-confident yet, and begins to fear of many things. It would be strange for puppies to protect their territory as bravely as in case with adult dogs. This, of course, was not included in the task of their ancestors, first of all, they needed to survive in the dangerous world, and later on to become defenders of their pack.

Many owners, unfortunately, do not let their puppies communicate with their congeners, fearing infection and dog conflicts. Sometimes the owner isolates his/her pet because of its submissive attitude to other dogs. For nothing: this conduct is natural, it does not mean that the puppy will become a coward in future.

Of course, you can raise your puppy and without contacts with wild dogs, but you must bear in mind that such dogs are usually less interesting and original than those that communicate with fellows. This is clear; imagine the results of a person's isolation from other people. The dog, devoid of society when it's psychic is in the process of formation seems unlikely to be able to get used to communication with other dogs and to stand up for itself, because it doesn't know how to fight.

Sometimes puppy's fear of an adult dog is the fault of the owner. This happens when the puppy is grabbed by the owner when another dog appears. Thus your puppy begins to be afraid of all dogs.

It is better not to interfere in dogs' relationships. Even if they fight, do not be afraid; do not fall into panic, drag fighters apart quietly. This will be better support for your friend.

Of course, if you know that the approaching dog behaves aggressively towards puppies, you should try to avoid the encounter, but don't display your own fear. The best way is to change the way, diverting your puppy by a game.

Following these simple rules, you create favourable conditions for the formation of the character of your dog.