Dog expert warns against stroking your pet when it’s scared
If you have a dog that is easily startled or frightened, your natural instinct might be to calm it down by petting it. But according to a vet, that might not be the best solution.
Juan Manuel Liquindoli, an animal behaviour specialist, claimed that petting serves to help your pup manage their fear, but does not solve the underlying problem that triggered it. The Argentina-based vet runs his dog training school Filosofia Animal (Animal Philosophy) and posts canine health and support videos on its TikTok and Instagram pages.
The expert offers handy tips on approaching everyday issues. He also advises what not to do if you want to maintain a good relationship with your pet. In his latest video in Spanish, Juan revealed that petting a scared dog could actually prove counterproductive.
He asserted: “People say ‘If your dog is scared, don’t pet it because you’re going to reinforce its fear’. This is a myth, madness and a conceptual error. Fear is an emotion and emotions are involuntary responses. A dog does not choose to be scared. Fear appears in certain situations.”
Petting dog warning TikTok In the video, which has been watched 195,000 times and received more than 100 comments, Juan explained the only thing about their dog that can be reinforced are their behaviours, not their emotions.
“I will give you an example: a dog may give us its paw for a treat, and each time we give it a treat, we reinforce the behaviour of giving us its paw,” he explained.
“I repeat, a dog will not decide to look afraid, so we pet it. Fear is an involuntary response. That’s why, if your dog is afraid and your caresses help it relax, do it.”
The insightful video further explains the nuances of helping dogs conquer their fears. While cuddles alone cannot eradicate fear, in the right context they can significantly soothe our furry companions, allowing them to endure anxiety with less distress.
Expert Juan recommended: “We recommend that you work on positively linking the stimulus that scares your dog. Now you know, if your dog is afraid, you can give him all the support and caresses he needs.”
The vet received numerous comments afterward, as followers sought his guidance. One concerned pet parent enquired, “Mara [the dog] is very afraid of storms… An hour before she starts to be nervous… What should I do? Thank you.”
Juan’s advice addressed the challenge posed by such unpredictable anxieties: “This is one of the most complex fears due to the lack of predictability. You can work on thunder and wind noises. And have a safe area for her.”
Another canine owner related her sad situation: “I want to hug and caress him, but he bites me, as a result of his own fear then suffer alone.”
To this, Juan said: “Be close, offer him a safe space, let him know you are there without invading.”
Regarding the user’s query about whether petting would reinforce the sensation of fear, the expert countered with: “On the contrary, that fear is also accompanied by the anxiety of knowing oneself alone against the world. Supporting a scared being will never reinforce its fear; it will give it comfort and security.”
