There are lots of ways to help a dog showing fear-related behaviours, but “facing their fear”, “socialising” them, exerting social pressure or coercion and/or attempting to lure them with food are generally not appropriate, safe, kind or effective.

The dog’s behaviour is information telling us what they need. When they display avoidance behaviour, distance and relief meet those needs.

Helping them feel safer is key, not attempting to be friends with them. That might come, but safety first!

Our approaching them, touching them, and even talking to them may not bring them comfort in those moments, when their brain is telling their body to get outta there!

Preventing new people coming in on top of them, giving them space from unfamiliar people, having them on lead, and their own human making sniffing for yummies happen are really important foundations for guest greeting protocols.

Think of establishing a new and predictable guest greeting routine and practice with familiar people first.

It might look something like this:

• have your guests call or message rather than approaching the door
• secure your dog in another room or area, ideally where they can’t see your guests, before you answer the door
• bring your guests in and settle them
• scatter some amazing yummies on the floor in the area you will hang out with your dog
• visit with your dog, calm them a little, pop them on lead
• when you bring them into the room with your guests, move to the furthest spot
• encourage your dog to snuffle for the goodies
• continue to toss treats for them

Alternatively, have your guests wait outside and bring your dog out on lead. Circle around behind your guests and have them enter the house and settle. Bring the dog in after and give them space and time for snuffling.

With that in place to establish more predictable guest greeting routines, we can start to teach the dog new skills.

Monster is Moving

This is a communication game and a great way to improve predictability and provide them with ways of controlling what happens to them.

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At their safe distance (which they determine and we interpret via their responses), we teach the dog to control the situation:

1. Teach the dog to move away and eat tossed treats – food is tossed away from the Monster, into free space

2. Wait for them to learn to look toward the Monster before tossing & moving. Reinforce by tossing away. Two rewards: distance + yummies

3. When offered fluently, add a verbal cue, “Ready!”

Say “Ready!”, wait for them to look toward (eye contact not necessary and lifting their head might be sufficient), toss so they can move away.

4. At BIG distances, and after lots of practice establishing this exercise as part of a predictable guest greeting routine, cue “Ready!”, toss, Monster moves, toss again.

The Monster moves only when the dog can move away.

Practice guest greeting routines and this game with people with whom the dog is comfortable before introducing Monsters! Distance is always your friend, and is the function of fear related behaviours.

You are asking the dog if they are ready at each stage. Listen to the dog and give them what they need!