Why is my puppy nervous?
Sometimes, people choose to bring home a puppy instead of an adult dog because they want a clean slate.
They want first-hand knowledge of all their puppy’s experiences and control over how he’s raised.
They believe that if they do everything right their puppy will grow into a stable adult dog without big problems like fear, anxiety or aggression.
Was that you?
I was so careful with my research — why is my puppy struggling??
Are you now confused, anxious, and disappointed that the puppy you brought home at 8 weeks old — who has never been abused or traumatized — is now showing fear, anxiety or aggression?
Nature vs Nurture
First of all, I am sorry.
Very few of us dream of having a troubled dog. It’s hard to see that in your puppy, and it can trigger anxiety about the future.
It stinks.
But it’s not all your fault.
Your puppy’s genetics do more than influence how he looks; they also influence how he behaves. This is the “nature” part of who your puppy is.
His experiences and education — the “nurture” parts — can modify his behaviors, but they do not alter his genetics.
Your puppy’s behavior is a product of both nature and nurture.
A persistently fearful, timid or shy puppy (especially one who is less than 16 weeks old) was mostly likely born with that tendency. And even with the best experiences and education, that tendency won’t ever completely go away.
Obviously, unpleasant experiences don’t help, but your puppy’s behavior is made up of more than his experiences and he does not have to experience something traumatic to be nervous.
How can we help the nervous puppy?
So now what? If your puppy tends to be nervous, does that mean he’s doomed to a fearful life?
Absolutely not!
Your puppy’s behavior is a product of multiple factors — some you can control, and some you can’t.
Once the puppy is born, his genetics are determined. We can’t do anything about that. And we can’t do anything about his experiences before you brought him home.
But we CAN do something now.
Shy puppies can live great lives doing the things they do enjoy when they get the support they need!
We can cultivate the very best environment and experiences for HIM, so he can be the very best HE can be — which might look different than the dog next door.
Recognizing the micro-signs of fear and knowing how to respond are both key to helping your nervous puppy flourish.
If your puppy is showing signs of nervousness, shyness, timidity or fear, please work with a qualified, positive-reinforcement dog trainer ASAP.
They can teach you to recognize the signs and respond appropriately, plus help answer these kinds of questions:
Which things can my puppy learn to do with the right support and training?
Which things will be unpleasant for my puppy regardless of training?
How can I help my puppy with the things he doesn’t like, but has to do?
How can I help my puppy feel safer and more comfortable?
Above all, when it comes to fear, please do not wait for your puppy to “grow out of it,” or “get used to it.” Puppies do not grow out of genetic tendencies.
Your puppy may never be a patio restaurant and brewery cruising pooch, but he can have a great life doing the things he does enjoy with you to help him!
Meet the Dog Trainer and Blog Author
Leighann founded Koinonia Dogs in 2014 and has been a Certified Professional Dog Trainer in the Austin, TX area since 2019.
She's a problem-solver by nature and loves creating cooperation through conflict-free communication so both ends of the leash enjoy life together.
