How to Help Your Shy/Fearful Dog: Recorded Webinar
It can be heartbreaking to see your dog afraid, anxious, worried about meeting people or going to new places. You want to help, but how?
NOTE: This product is available through the RCT Reference Collection – a $39.95 monthly or $399.95 annual subscription that gives you access to ALL of Suzanne’s webinars. To purchase a new window will open for that site, where you will need to create an account or log-in to your existing Thinkific account to complete the purchase.
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Description
This webinar will provide practical advice to help you help your dog. While we do not have any magic wands, you’ll learn:
- How anxiety and fear affect learning
- Why dogs are afraid
- The contributions of temperament and experience
- What are the triggers?
- How intensely does the dog respond? And how long to recovery?
There is a confusing assortment of advice out there if your dog is shy, fearful, or anxious. How do you know what to try? How do you know if it’s even working? Maybe you did not try long enough or practice for enough days, or months – or years?
Suzanne’s approach helps you understand your dog as an individual, and how to select the approach that may be most effective for your dog and your situation. She’ll also guide you to understand why some advice sounds good, but is not behaviorally sound, and often fails the dog badly.
We’ll explore some commonly encountered myths about fearful & shy dogs:
- “She’ll get over it” – Why this approach can backfire so badly
- Why providing comfort to a scared dog is the right response
- “If they can eat, they’re okay!” The myth of the Ben & Jerry response
Keys to helping your fearful, anxious, shy dog:
- Knowing when to stay and when to go
- How to provide safety & avoid conflict
- RCT Skills to build confidence
- Practicing for success
- Being your dog’s support team
Above all, this webinar – like everything Suzanne teaches – will help you strengthen your relationship, build trust and help your dog (and you!) gain new confidence.
Looking to dive deeper? These webinars on similar topics are also included in the RCT Reference Collection!
How Is This for You?: This Elemental Question is fundamental to helping fearful dogs because their experience of situations often differs dramatically from what handlers assume. Understanding the dog’s actual experience guides every intervention choice.
Who Are You?: Recognizing temperament traits that contribute to fearfulness helps you understand whether you’re working with a dog who’s inherently cautious or one who’s learned to be fearful. This assessment shapes realistic expectations and intervention strategies.
What Size World: Fearful dogs often need smaller, more controlled environments than confident dogs. This webinar helps you determine the appropriate scope of exposure and activity that supports rather than overwhelms anxious dogs.
Treat-Retreat: This specific technique for socially shy dogs provides a structured approach to building confidence while respecting the dog’s need for distance and choice. It’s a practical protocol that directly addresses fear-based social challenges.
Thresholds Transitions Triggers: Fearful dogs struggle most during environmental changes and when encountering triggers. This webinar addresses the specific moments when anxiety peaks and provides strategies for supporting dogs through difficult transitions.
Thrills and Chills: Understanding how dogs experience arousal changes—from excitement to anxiety—helps you support fearful dogs through the emotional roller coaster that everyday life presents. This webinar explores the autonomic nervous system’s role in fear responses.
NOTE: This product is available through the RCT Reference Collection – a $39.95 monthly or $399.95 annual subscription that gives you access to ALL of Suzanne’s webinars. To purchase a new window will open for that site, where you will need to create an account or log-in to your existing Thinkific account to complete the purchase.
