Tail Tucking – 3 Reasons For an Excruciatingly Fearful ********** Or Aggressive Puppy Or Dog

There are three major causes for fearfulness and distrust in a dog that young:

1. Abuse
2. Sloppy breeding
3. Lack of socialization and desensitizing

If you are sure there is not abuse involved, that leaves two other options.

Backyard breeders are notorious for not taking steps to ensure the physical and emotional well being of their “products”. They are one step above puppy mills…the only difference being, the number of breeding pairs and puppies.

Many backyard breeders produce fearfully ********** or aggressive puppies, simply because they do not make the effort to genetically weaken inherent emotional problems such as aggression, submission and fearfulness. They continue to reap neurotic puppies, with serious behavior problems, simply because they persist on mating the same adult pair, over and over.

Inherent emotional issues are difficult, if not impossible to remedy.

The other option, lack of socialization and desensitizing! The first 20 weeks of a puppy’s life, are without a doubt their most important 140 days on this rock. All things considered, it is during those first few weeks, they learn manners, trust and self-confidence. During this crucial time, they must be handled, and exposed only in the most positive ways, to new people, places and things. They must be praised and rewarded when they respond suitably to new experiences. They must be lovingly and consistently desensitized, so that they don’t fear the world.

If a puppy is inherently fearful, it will take time and patience to desensitize it to people, animal, noises, and life in general. On occasion, depending on the dog, they can learn to relax and deal with new situations fearlessly, if their owner is patient and presents the new experience as a positive one.

A fearful puppy, or fearful dog is a heartrending sight. There is no joy in their life, outside their safe zone. They can also be dangerous.

BOTTOM LINE: Get your puppy into a positive reinforcement, punishment-free Puppy Kindergarten as soon as possible. Take your puppy everywhere and make every experience as positive as you can. If it is too late for that, or more than you can handle on your own, consult an animal behavior specialist. They will evaluate your situation and perhaps be able to help your puppy or dog relax and enjoy life.

A dog’s tail is meant to wag. It should not be tucked between their legs!

By: Karen Soukiasian

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