I had a request for a video on how to build confidence, so I took Lucy (was Anna) on a short walk and tried to demonstrate both how to teach your dog to walk nicely on a leash, but also tips on how to build their confidence if they run into something that makes them nerves or scared.

Lucy didn’t show much fear, so she wasn’t the best demo dog for this exercise.  Still, if you put into practice what I describe in the video, it should help if you have a less confident dog.  The key is to get them out in the environment that makes them nervous, but at a distance that allows them to learn “Ok, this isn’t so bad”.   If they are so uncomfortable they are panicking, you need to back them up out of the situation to a distance where they can look at it with a calmer mind.  Mild stress is good.  Pure panic and you will be set back in your training.  Don’t force the dog into a panic situation. On the same line of reasoning, do NOT baby the dog.  Under no circumstances is it ok to say “It is ok… don’t be scared… it is ok little baby” in a whimpy sweet tone.  All you are doing is feeding the dog the emotion of “this is indeed scary, you have a right to be scared!”.  If you need to talk say something like “I see that!  Wow, look at that fun stuff.  Here, eat a treat.  Yes that was yummy.  Do you wish I could go over there?  Let’s look at that closer.  Oh yes, that is something different.  Here is another yummy treat!  Wow, that was so much fun.  Ok let’s move on!” and walk away or parallel to the person, place, or thing that has your puppy worried.

After a month or so, they will realize that you are not going to put them into a situation they can’t handle.  They will learn to trust your judgement and understand amazing treats come to those who take risks.  They will also learn to enjoy those walks or training sessions.  Within a few weeks, you will see very little hesitation in new situations.  If you are smart, you will teach a default behavior during your training / socialization.  I typically teach a sit, as you saw in the video.  If you do this often enough, the puppy will default to a sit when in stress.  This is great, because it is a control position.  They will also default to sit when excited, in hopes you will allow them to do what they want, be that greet a person or dog, or go play with a toy.  Pick what you want them to do and stick with that routine.  It can be stand still and look.  It can be sit and look.  It can be down and look.  It doesn’t matter.  I like them to look at what is distracting them, but then look back at me.   “Yep, that is interesting, now focus back on me please”.  “I see that duck, if you decided to look at me, I’ll give you some hot dog or play a game of tug!”  Give the dog a reason to select you over the distraction.  Show them that paying attention to you is the best thing they can do.