8 ways to build your dog's confidence

How to Boost Your Dog’s Confidence

A confident dog is more likely to be friendly, relaxed, well behaved and adaptable to new situations.  Whether your dog struggles with fear, anxiety, shyness, or skittishness, implementing certain strategies can significantly boost your dog’s confidence!

In this post, we’ll cover 8 specific ways to build your dog’s confidence!

WATCH MY VIDEO: 8 Easy Ways to Build Your Dog’s Confidence

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8 ways to boost your dog's confidence8 Ways to Build Your Dog’s Confidence

1.  Create a daily routine.  Dogs, just like small children, do well with consistency and predictability.  Establishing a daily routine for your dog builds confidence by giving your dog a sense of control over their day-to-day life.

Your dog’s daily routine should include regular feeding times, walks, playtime and rest.  You can learn more about creating a daily routine for your dog by reading my post, Establishing a Routine for Your Puppy (includes video).

2.  Take it slow.  Recognize the situations that your dog seems to lack confidence in, then take small, manageable steps to help them to handle those situations confidently.  For example, if your dog seems nervous around other dogs, you could start by observing other dogs only from a distance, then slowly decrease the gap over time.

Give them exposure to new people, places and situations gradually and let them explore at their own pace.

dog confidence exercises3.  Engage in interactive play with your dog.  Playing with your dog regularly is a powerful tool for building your dog’s confidence.

Dog confidence exercises like tug-of-war, fetch, hide-and-seek, puzzle toys, or hiding treats around the house encourage your dog to assert themselves in a fun, stress-free way, and helps them practice their problem-solving skills.

These sorts of activities give your dog a sense of achievement when they succeed.  You can purchase tug-of-war toys here, and puzzle toys here.

how to build your dog's confidencePlaying tug-of-war with your dog:  Several years ago, I had a miniature Dachshund named Taz.  I purchased a tug-of-war toy for her and its description said it would “help boost confidence.”

My friend Sharie and I thought that was so funny and cute! The trick with that is to let them win!  (That’s Tazzie and me in the pic!)

Interactive play also provides physical exercise, mental stimulation, and strengthens trust between you and your dog.  You can read more about building trust with your dog in my post, How to Bond With Your Dog (includes video).

4.  Socialize your dog (correctly!) Dog socialization, when done properly, helps your dog learn how to handle being in various settings and situations, around people and around other animals.  Start with controlled environments, then gradually increase to more complex social situations as your dog becomes more confident.

dog socializationTo learn how to socialize your dog correctly, read my post, Socializing a New Puppy (includes video).

Also, check out Professional Dog Trainer, Doggy Dan’s blog post called, Dog Socialization Training: Why Dog Parks Aren’t the Best Option.

5.  Help them to be more independent.  Teaching your dog how to be comfortable when they’re alone is crucial for building confidence and self-reliance.  Start by giving them a cozy and safe space where they can retreat, such as a crate or a designated space in your home, and provide them with toys to keep them occupied.

Providing a crate can help a dog with fear and anxiety, but please make sure you handle this correctly so you don’t make things worse.  Read this tutorial about crate training a dog correctly before you get a crate.

For specific ways to help your dog to be alone, read my post, Treating Dog Separation Anxiety: Help Staying Home Alone (includes video).

6.  Provide enough physical exercise.  Regular physical activity such as walking, playing fetch, hiking, or just playing with your dog on the living room floor for a few minutes, helps boost their confidence.

Physical exercise helps release pent-up energy and reduces stress.  Plus, your dog is more likely to be confident if they feel physical healthy and strong (wouldn’t you?)

dog training to build confidence7.  Do proper dog training.  If your dog is struggling with low confidence, I recommend checking out a dog training program called, The Dog Calming Code. 

It’s a 5-step program that’s super effective for fearful, anxious or nervous dogs.  The training focuses on how to step up as pack leader for your dog, which is the quickest, most effective way to eliminate fear in your dog.

You can read my full review here, or check it out here.

8.  Be consistent and patient.  Building confidence takes time.  Avoid rushing your dog into situations they’re not ready for, and focus on gradual improvement.  Your calm and supportive attitude will make a world of difference!

For more help with building your dog’s confidence, read this article from the ASPCA about dog confidence building.

Also check out this video from Zak George about helping fearful, anxious or nervous dogs.

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Thank you for visiting my website!  I hope the tips I’ve provided in this post will help boost your dog’s confidence!

Remember to always reward your dog with praise and/or treats with every small win!

I’d love it if you’d come back and comment below this post to let me know how your dog is doing!

I receive a small commission for some of the products and services I recommend on this site.  I donate 10% of my earnings to animal charities!  You can see a list of the charities I donate to here.  Debra

Check Out My Other Posts About Dog Care

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