Fear Period in Puppies II: Supporting Your Puppy Through a Fear Period

What do I do when my puppy is going through a Fear Period?

Do's and don'ts of guiding your puppy through their fear period using positive reinforcement

How to Support Your Dog During a Fear Period

Going through a fear period can be stressful for a dog, so our job as pet parents (and trainers) is to make life feel safe and positive during this stage. The way you respond can shape your dog’s confidence long-term . Here are some guidelines on what to do, and what to avoid, when your dog is in a fear period:

What to Do

• Create a safe environment: Set up your home (and anywhere the pup spends time) to feel secure. Remove or manage any unnecessarily scary stimuli if you can. For example, ensure your puppy has a comfortable safe space – like a cozy crate or bed in a quiet spot – where they can retreat if they feel overwhelmed . Knowing they have a secure “den” helps them cope with stress.

• Encourage gentle socialization: You should continue exposing your dog to new people, places, and things, but do it in a controlled, positive way. The goal is quality over quantity: a few calm, pleasant introductions (to a friendly neighbor or a quiet puppy class) are better than many chaotic encounters. Positive experiences during this time help build your dog’s confidence without overwhelming them . Let your pup approach new things at their own pace (more on this below), and pair new experiences with praise and treats so that your dog forms happy associations.

• Use positive reinforcement: When your dog shows even a small step of bravery or curiosity, reward it! For instance, if your puppy cautiously walks up to sniff the “scary” umbrella or relaxes a bit in a noisy park, immediately praise them and offer a tasty treat. This kind of positive reinforcement teaches your dog that confronting fears leads to good things . It can be as simple as a warm “Good boy/girl!” and a piece of chicken when they look at the loud garbage truck instead of bolting. Over time, these rewards help replace fear with confidence.

• Keep training sessions short and fun: You don’t have to pause training during a fear period, but keep it light. Stick to familiar cues and fun games your dog already knows, and limit sessions to just a few minutes at a time . This isn’t the moment for intense new challenges or heavy discipline. Low-pressure activities with lots of rewards (like a simple sit-for-a-treat, or gentle play sessions) can actually build your pup’s confidence when done in a positive way . If you’re working on socialization or desensitization to a trigger, introduce it very gradually (for example, at a distance or lower intensity) and slowly increase exposure as your dog relaxes . End on a positive note, even if progress was tiny.

• Stay calm and patient: Perhaps the most important thing you can do is to be your dog’s steady, calm leader. Dogs are incredibly perceptive of our emotions – if you get tense or frustrated, they’ll pick up on it. During a fear period, make a point of using a soothing, upbeat tone and relaxed body language, to signal to your pup that there’s nothing to fear . Your confidence gives them confidence. Likewise, be patient and allow your dog extra time to adjust to new situations. Celebrate small wins and don’t rush them into the next challenge. Patience now will pay off in a more secure dog later.

  
  

What to Avoid

• Don’t force fearful interactions: Forcing your dog to “face their fears” is counterproductive during a fear period. Never drag your puppy toward something that scares them or insist they accept handling from a stranger if they’re panicking. Pushing them too hard can actually make the fear worse and longer-lasting . Instead, allow your dog to back away and observe from a distance where they feel safe. For example, if your pup is afraid of a man with a hat, let the dog decide how close to get – even if that means watching from across the room for now. By giving them control, you help rebuild their sense of security.

• Don’t punish fear-based behavior: Avoid any type of punishment, scolding, or harsh corrections if your dog is acting afraid. Yelling “Bad dog!” or jerking the leash when your pup cowers or barks will not teach them to be brave. On the contrary, punishment can intensify the fear and even lead to new behavior problems (like defensive aggression) . Remember, your dog isn’t choosing to be scared or “stubborn” – they are having an emotional response. Instead of correcting fear, focus on guiding and comforting your dog (and then reward the positive behaviors you want to see, as noted above).

• Avoid overwhelming environments: During a fear period, try to minimize unnecessary stressors. This might mean skipping the busy dog park for a couple of weeks or postponing that loud kitchen renovation until your pup is feeling more secure. While life can’t stop for your dog’s fear stage, you can make strategic choices to avoid piling on scares. Keep social interactions one-on-one or in small groups rather than big crowds. If your puppy is suddenly nervous on walks, choose quieter routes or times of day to walk. By controlling the environment, you set your dog up to succeed and gradually regain confidence.

• Don’t overreact or “baby” them too much: This one is tricky, because of course you want to comfort your frightened puppy – and you should offer support. The key is to stay calm and matter-of-fact. If you see your dog is scared, resist the urge to panic with them or fuss excessively. Dogs take cues from our reactions; if you gasp, coddle, or pity them in an anxious voice, it can reinforce to the dog that there is indeed something scary happening . Instead, act normal and upbeat (“Oh, it’s just a garbage can, no big deal!”) to show them there’s nothing to fear. You can certainly pet them and speak softly to help them settle – just do so in a relaxed manner, rather than frantic sympathy. The idea is to comfort without validating the fear. For example, you might calmly say, “I know that was a loud noise, but you’re okay, here’s a treat.” This lets your dog know you hear them, but also that you’re not afraid, so they don’t need to be either.

  
  

By following these do’s and don’ts, you’ll help make your dog’s fear period as smooth as possible. It’s all about creating a supportive atmosphere: lots of patience, gentle encouragement, and avoiding any traumatic experiences during this vulnerable time .

Positive Reinforcement Over Punishment

One theme you may notice is the emphasis on positive reinforcement instead of punishment. This approach isn’t just a feel-good recommendation – it’s critical for dogs in a fear stage. When a dog is fearful, they are acting out of emotion and stress, not willful disobedience. You cannot simply correct or discipline fear out of a dog. In fact, punishing a dog for reacting fearfully will often make the fear worse. Animal behaviorists note that because fear is an involuntary response, harsh punishment only adds more negativity, potentially increasing the dog’s anxiety or even causing them to become aggressive as a defense . For example, if a dog is terrified and growling, and someone responds by yelling or using a shock collar, the dog may become even more frightened and start to associate their handler or that situation with pain – a recipe for long-term behavioral issues.

In contrast, positive reinforcement builds trust and confidence. Rewarding your pup with praise, treats, or play when they display bravery or calm behavior helps them form positive associations. Over time, your dog learns that good things happen when they don’t panic. Positive methods are particularly effective during fear periods because they show your dog that they are safe. Even simply staying near your dog and speaking in a happy, reassuring tone can help them begin to relax in a scary scenario.

Some owners worry that comforting a scared dog might “reward” the fear, but don’t be afraid to reassure your pup. You aren’t spoiling them; you are teaching them that they can rely on you and that the scary thing isn’t so bad after all. In short, fear cannot be fixed by fear (punishment); it can only be eased with patience and positivity. As one veterinarian puts it, punishing a fearful animal is more likely to increase its fear, whereas guiding them with kindness yields far better results . Always aim to make new experiences fun and rewarding, especially during a fear period, and you’ll set your dog up for success.