The must-have guide to addressing anxious, fearful, or reactive behaviors in your dog through positive reinforcement, from certified dog trainer and animal behaviorist Zazie Todd.
Is your dog showing signs of fear, anxiety, or reactivity, such as biting, food guarding, shyness, or aggressive barking? You’re not alone. Close to 75% of dogs struggle with fear-based behaviors, and require our support and understanding to feel safe and secure.
In Bark!, Zazie Todd provides solutions for these behaviors. Decoding the latest canine science, she shows readers how to address the root cause of your dog’s fears, with expert advice and practical tips on:
How to tackle common canine fears, such as loud noises, the vet, separation anxiety, and other dogs.
How to manage a dog’s natural fear responses through positive reinforcement.
How to keep your dog, yourself, and others safe when they are fearful or reactive.
How to create safe havens for your dog, and make yourself a secure base for them no matter where they are.
Compassionate, practical, and rooted in science, Bark! helps dog owners understand the many factors that might be causing fear within your dog, and how you can help them lead a safe and happy life.
Praise for WAG by Zazie Todd
"A must-have guide to improving your dog's life."—Modern Dog Magazine
“The author’s evidence-based analysis simplifies the science and reduces essential elements into practical, replicable activities geared toward enriching a dog’s life.”—Library Journal, STARRED Review
“Dog owners and those considering becoming one should appreciate Todd’s substantial insight into how dogs and humans relate to one another.”—Publishers Weekly
Part 1
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Science of Fear
Myth-busting fearful dogs
The idea of hope
Chapter 2: Fearful Fido
A tucked tail and a tight jaw
The stress system
Bite inhibition
Chapter 3: Making a Difference
Feeling safe
Staying safe
To be or not to be a safe person
Chapter 4: Why is my dog afraid?
The multiple causes of fear and anxiety
Pandemic puppies
Potential medical issues
Tips to prevent fear
Chapter 5: Training a fearful dog
Learning to like something
How to do Counter conditioning
Desensitization
Learning to do something
Relaxation
Chapter 6: Keeping your fearful dog happy and exercised
Meeting your dog’s needs
Activities and sports
Fun and play
The risk of running
Chapter 7: Understanding the role of medications
When to see a vet or veterinary behaviorist
The role of psychotropic medications
Nutritional and other complementary approaches
Part 2
Chapter 8: Wallflowers and other bashful beasties
Wallflowers and shrinking violets with people
Bashful beasties with other dogs
A common approach
Chapter 9: Thumps, bumps, and bangs
Fear of loud noises
Training dogs to not fear noises
Coping in the short term
Chapter 10: Needles and Thermometers
Don’t touch me
Choosing a veterinarian
Training that helps
Chapter 11: Don’t leave me!
Boredom or…?
Desensitization for separation anxiety
It takes a village
Chapter 12: Grrr, keep away from my my stuff!
Is that guarding?
Loving that approach
Drop, leave it, and emergencies
Chapter 13: Turning, turning
Compulsive behaviors
Fetch, fetch, but don’t chase the light
What to do while you wait for help
Part 3
Chapter 14: Getting help
Coping with a fearful dog
Seeking help from professionals
Rehoming and euthanasia
Working with dogs
Chapter 15: Fearful Fido No More
Fear in dogs and in people
Not on our own
A slow approach
List of Figures
Acknowledgements
References
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