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Behaviour

Why -just push through it- harms your dog

Forcing an anxious dog to “simply sit out” his fear? That usually makes things worse. What really helps instead.

Maybe you've heard this advice: just expose your dog to whatever he's afraid of until he realises nothing bad happens. Professionals call this flooding – literally swamping the dog with his fear. It sounds logical, but it's usually exactly the wrong approach. It can even make the fear worse.

Why it backfires

A dog who can't escape his fear is under enormous stress. Instead of calming down, he often becomes more and more sensitive. The fear grows – and can even spread to other things. Even a single overwhelming experience can leave deep marks.

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This article is no substitute for veterinary advice. Source: DOGSY editorial team.