Episode 105. How to be a Safe Space for Your Anxious, Fearful or Reactive Dog with Zazie Todd

Has your dog ever shown fear, anxiety or reactivity?  If your dog hasn’t, I’d be willing to bet that you know someone whose dog is dealing with one of these issues.

Returning guest Dr. Zazie Todd is a psychologist who digs into the science of dog behavior to help us make the best decisions for our dogs. Her new book, Bark! The Science of Helping Your Anxious, Fearful or Reactive Dog is going to help so many dogs & their people.  And I’m so thrilled that she’s here to share her insight with us.

Have you ever heard that it’s wrong to comfort your dog when you they’re showing signs of fear?  This is just one of the outdated dog training myths that Zazie helps us myth bust.

 So what should we do to help our fearful dogs?  Zazie shares how we can create a safe space for our dogs and how to be their safe person.

From gaining the trust of a fearful dog to adjusting our own expectations of our dog’s behavior, Zazie & I dive into the best practices to help our dogs who struggle with the world around them.

I also share challenges & lessons learned from my own dogs’ fears, anxiety and reactivity – the things we’ve gotten right and the areas where we need to keep learning.  

Zazie & I discuss:

  • The difference between fear, anxiety and reactivity in dogs;

  • Did the pandemic increase the prevalence of anxiety in dogs?

  • Outdated myths about dog training that won’t go away;

  • What should you do to help your dog if they’re having an acute fear-based reaction?  Is it ok to comfort them?

  • How to create a safe space for your dog;

  • Reading your dog’s fearful body language;

  • Helpful training skills for any dog;

  • Gaining trust when you’ve adopted a fearful dog;

  • Adjusting our own expectations for our dogs;

  • When to look for help with your dog and where to find it;

  • Is resource guarding a fear-based behavior?

  • The Fear-Free Movement and cooperative care for fearful dogs

Find Zazie & BarK!:

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