5 Common Phobias In Dogs

Dogs do have their fears and phobias. It can be due to many reasons, such as genetics, lack of early socialization, or a negative experience.

A dog dealing with fear and phobia can show many signs such as trembling, barking, cowering, drooling, destructive behavior, and, in some cases, aggression.

If you find your dog dealing with any of the below-mentioned phobias, know you’re are not the only one. In fact, most of the dogs have a slight fear of at least one of these things at a certain point in time.

#1. Fear of being left alone

It’s one of the biggest fears of every dog and is referred to as separation anxiety. Dogs suffering from separation anxiety tend to show destructive behavior as soon as their owners leave the house.

They may chew through walls, break down doors with their head causing bodily injury and leap off balconies as they don’t like staying alone.

How to ease the fear of being left alone in dogs?

You can ease your dog’s anxiety by taking him for a brisk 20-minute walk before leaving him alone. Moreover, you can leave the TV or radio on for your dog’s company. Some dogs like to hear voices, others calming music. Do whatever is best for the dog.

#2. Fear of riding in the car

While most of the dogs are always ready, some others have fear of riding in them or being anywhere near them. This fear is usually due to a lack of early exposure to car rides or negative experiences with riding in the car, such as riding in the car to be left at a dog shelter or only going for a car ride to visit the veterinarian.

How to ease the fear of riding in the car?

To alleviate this fear, make your dog’s car outings a positive experience. Take your dog to a positive place, such as a dog park or any other place your dog likes to be, in your car. You can also put a soft comfy blanket down to rest and offer some treats to make your dog’s experience much better.

#3. Fear of loud noises

It is the most prevalent fear for dogs. Loud noises from thunder, fireworks, gunshots, rain and noisy objects leave most dogs trembling in fear.

Some dogs slowly get used to these sounds. However, in other cases, you may need to use management techniques to calm down your canine.

How to ease the fear of loud noise in dogs?

The best way is to distract your dog. Play some music or other noises to block scary and loud noises. Start playing a game of fetch or tug with your dog. In severe cases, you can give mind-calming medications after consulting with your vet.

#4. Fear of strangers

Just like humans, canines feel more comfortable with familiar ones. Dogs who are not used to the company of many people may have fear of strangers.

These are those dogs who are used to stay alone with their owners or have not been properly socialized. Dogs who haven’t had a chance as many people as puppies are more likely to develop a fear of people they don’t know.

How to ease the fear of meeting strangers?

If your dog is not comfortable with unfamiliar voices, allow him to escape. A dog’s fear should be handled very carefully. You can work on obedience training with your dog.

In severe cases, such as your dog starts growling, snapping, and biting, it’s better to hire a dog trainer who can come up with a plan to deal with your dog’s fear.

#5. Fear of objects

Many dogs are afraid of particular objects, including vacuum cleaners, holiday decorations, and children’s toys. This type of fear isn’t a big deal but can be problematic.

What if your dog starts trembling every time you vacuum the carpet or he refuses to walk past a statue outside your apartment building?

How to ease the fear of objects in dogs?

You may need to slowly introduce your dog to objects he is afraid of in a positive, happy manner.

It’s really important for you to know about all the things that spook your dog. Moreover, try to understand how scared your dog is of his phobias.

In order to help your dog overcome fears, it’s important to understand the threshold of each fear. Such knowledge can help you control your dog’s environment, as well as easier to manage his behavior in stressful situations.

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