Confidence Building In Dogs

by Bailey Coldwell

Some dogs are more nervous, shy, or uncomfortable in certain situations than other dogs. They might see someone or something and start to bark or cower away. They might see a random item and assume it is going to bring them pain. Maybe the handler knows that the dog had a hard upbringing, and now they have anticipated negative feelings in certain situations. The good news with all of this? Handlers can work on helping dogs feel more confident. Follow along for some examples. 

Mental stimulation: The options are limitless. From cardboard boxes with hidden treats in them to battery-operated toys that shoot treats across the room. Check out our “Products” page for items that our trainers recommend. 

Training cues: The more positive communication we can have with dogs, the better it is in helping them feel confident and comfortable. Throughout our programs, we have basic cues such as sit, down, stay, and go to bed. We also have advanced training cues and just for fun training cues, such as lay on, turn, shake, and catch.

Sniffing: The most powerful sense that a dog has is their sense of smell. A dog being allowed to sniff for just fifteen minutes is said to be just as stimulating as an hour-long walk. 

Free shaping: This type of training is focused on rewarding good behaviors that dogs are offering, working towards an end goal. The handlers have a desired goal, and then mark and reward the dog for any correct steps to reach the goal, until the pup is getting the behavior that the handlers originally wanted. Free shaping is a cool way of training that doesn’t rely on us luring or telling the dog what to do. 

Games/activities: BAXTER & Bella has a whole program all about games and activities that handlers can do to add activity into training. I find this section particularly helpful for secondary handlers in the home, such as kids or another adult, who might not be as interested in the more stationary training. Adding play, without getting too rough. 

Public socialization: Simply getting dogs out and about is helpful for low-confidence dogs. However, handlers want to be aware of subtle dog body language and be able to create distance from the triggers that are making the dog uncomfortable. If the trigger that is making a dog uncomfortable is able to keep getting closer, it can make the fear worse. Set the scene well so that the dog’s experience can be positive. 

Dog sports: Handlers can use a dog’s instincts in beneficial ways. Researching local dog sport events and classes to see if there are any that the dog would do well with. These might include dock diving, agility, rally, or flyball.

Surface exposure: Handlers can consider purchasing or making a wobble board or other new surface for their dog to practice walking or standing on. There are many products specifically made for dogs to help improve their balance and confidence. Getting dogs used to standing on different surfaces around the home, such as a couch cushion on the floor, tinfoil, or “welcome” mats with unique textures. 

Novel objects or sounds: Simply exposing a dog to a new item or noise can help build confidence. Some examples are showing a dog an umbrella, the sound of a vacuum, or displaying a large holiday decoration, all while being confident and happy, to encourage the dog to feel this way as well. 

Play: It sounds simple, and that is because it is! Using a toy that the dog likes can be enjoyable for the dog and the person. Leaving a few toys out around the home for the dog to play with independently is also beneficial. 

Rewarding for good behavior: I say this quite frequently. If a dog is doing behaviors, pretty much anything that doesn’t involve them getting into trouble, acknowledging them can help tremendously with confidence building. Tossing treats, telling them they are a good dog, petting them, etc. This is going to help the dogs feel better about themselves and the behaviors they are offering. It's kind of like when someone receives a random compliment. It makes the person feel better about themselves! 

Carefree mentality: Part of helping a dog feel confident is for the handler to feel confident. Even if the handler has to fake it till they make it by being goofy, playful, using toys, treating often, petting the dog in their favorite spots, moving around, etc.

Dog training courses: The courses here at BAXTER & Bella involve active participation. Consider joining one to bond with your dog while helping them learn new skills. The cooperative care course is great for helping the dogs feel more secure with body handling and grooming. 

Being an advocate for the dog: This is a super important part whenever handlers are working on helping dogs feel more confident. Handlers should ensure that others aren’t inadvertently making the fear worse. For example, the fear can worsen if a child has friends over who think it is funny to chase the puppy when the puppy is scared, or if someone in public allows their dog to approach a nervous dog. Even though these examples can seem small, they can cause negative feelings for the dog. The handler might know that the dog is theoretically safe, but it is a real fear that the dog has and handlers want to encourage space or we create space with the dog themselves. 

Keep in mind that confidence is shaped by both nature and nurture. While it is certainly possible to help build a dog’s confidence throughout their lives, some dogs are going to be more predisposed to have a harder time than others. Or the dog is a rescue and has had a hard upbringing. These dogs often need more time, patience, positivity, and flexibility from the handler to set them up for success. I hope these tools help dogs and handlers feel more capable of working with their low-confidence dogs.