Why is my dog scared of people on walks?

Dogs are social animals, but like us, they may not be confident with everybody they encounter. Your dog looks to you for guidance, so here’s what you can do to help them relax around new people. Always ensure that you give your dog enough space – this may mean arching around a passerby, or even crossing the road if your dog is worried. Explain to your dog that people are approaching by saying there’s a stranger coming, can you see the stranger. This not only gives them the information they need but also gives them something else to focus on. If the lead is tight it will signal to your dog that they’re right to be concerned – this will make them more anxious. Tasty treats or a favourite toy can help change your dog’s perception of strangers. Offer these as a reward for passing people confidently or as a distraction when you they seem scared.

Strangers and unknown dogs are often a source or trigger for anxious or fearful canine behavior. Fear is common in all animals. While it’s possible a fearful dog has suffered abuse or trauma at a young age, most of the time fear results from genetic predisposition or a lack of experience with what frightens them. Fearful dogs avoid what frightens them. If they can’t escape the source of their fear, they may do any of the following: Appear depressed or uninterested Tremble or cower Yawn or pace Lunge at other humans or dogs Growl, whine, or bark. Dogs learn from positive association. The best way to help a shy or fearful dog gain confidence is to expose them to what frightens them at a low intensity. Allow your dog time to get used to people. Instruct others to ignore your dog, and let your dog decide whether they want to approach someone.

Dogs can react to strangers and people they don't know for a few different reasons. They might be frustrated because they can't contain their excitement to meet people, or sometimes it can be out of fear because they are worried by these people they don't know. Barking, lunging and growling are a dog's way of communicating that they are trying to put more space between themselves and the stranger. However, some dogs might show more subtle signs instead, like avoiding approaching the person, looking away or putting their ears back. It is always worth seeking advice from a behaviourist to understand the reasons for your dog's behaviour and then to address the root cause. Try to avoid situations with lots of strangers. When you are out on walks, try to maintain the distance from people that your dog is comfortable with. This might involve safely crossing the road so that strangers don’t try to approach them head-on, walking on quieter routes, or going out at quieter times. It’s useful to understand the smallest distance from a person that your dog is happy with. To do this, imagine your dog has a bubble of personal space around them. Each dog's bubble will be a different size and their bubble will change in size throughout the day depending on how calm or relaxed they are.