A confident dog is one that will be able to encounter other dogs and humans without barking too much or engaging in fights—which means that it’s a good idea to invest in your dog’s confidence! Let’s discuss good habits to form to help increase the confidence of your dog or puppy.
Start Early
The adage ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ might not be true, but it’s certainly easier the earlier you begin to adapt your puppy to the facts of life. While being gentle and cognizant of your puppy’s abilities, start taking them on walks and going out to do new things to broaden his horizons and teach him about the world!
Take Them to Puppy Classes
Going to puppy classes to instill a little bit of order in his life will do wonders for your puppy. Dogs need some form of command and obedience in their life—it literally helps their brains sort through their experiences more evenly, and helps them be less stressed. Again, starting early will help—and a group class setting will socialize them, which will also give them more confidence.
Mindfully Go to Dog Parks as They’re Ready
Dog parks can be overstimulating. However, they can also teach your dog valuable lessons about his size, his place in the pack, and simply how to have fun (instead of being aggressive) with other dogs. However, if your dog shows signs of stress or fear, don’t hesitate to ramp up to this activity instead of springing it on your dog.
Understand That It Might Not Go as Planned
As you’re trying to instill confidence, work with your dog with empathy and compassion. Your pup may be a slow, confused, fearful learner—and that’s completely okay! You have to remember that this process is a marathon and not a sprint. While it may be convenient for this to happen as quickly as possible, that’s often not going to be the case.
Reward, Reward, Reward!
Being able to trust you and find joy and comfort in your presence is the number one thing that will anchor your dog—truly enabling them to find confidence both when you’re around and when you’re not! Remember to use positive reinforcement when possible, as most puppies respond best to this method.0
Dog Trainers Can Help
If your puppy is having some confidence issues, don’t be afraid to bring in extra help. Let the experts do the dog training to help you avoid headaches with your furry friend. We’re happy to help you with your dog training efforts and give you advice for the future. At Canine College, we offer a variety of group dog training classes in Holbrook MA, in addition to private sessions to focus on specific behaviors with your dog. Get in touch with us today to get started! Fill out an online form or give us a call at 781-767-3908.
