Hey Dog Lover 🐾
You see a scared dog—and your heart jumps in to help.
So you crouch down, soften your voice, toss out a “hi sweetie”… and maybe even offer a little face-level fist bump of encouragement.
You know... "smell my hand, I am a good person"
And yet... the dog shrinks back even more.
Yikes.
Here’s the truth:
When dogs are feeling uncertain, we often get weird. We shrink ourselves, change our energy, or turn into a Disney side character trying to soothe a fear that actually needs leadership, not pity.
This episode is your reminder that being calm, clear, and normal is often the best thing you can offer a fearful dog.
We’ll unpack:
Why your tone, posture, and energy matter more than your words
How well-meaning “comforting” behaviours can actually confuse and pressure your dog
What dogs really need in moments of uncertainty (hint: not a squeaky-voiced cheerleader)
How to show up as steady—instead of shrinking down
When in doubt, don’t overdo it. Don’t over-emote.
Just lead. And don’t make it weird.
Hope you enjoy this episode. Be sure to leave a rating, review, or a comment to let me know you're enjoying this.
NEXT STEPS 🐾👣
Want to know how to respond in a way that builds trust—even in hard moments?
Inside the Fearless Framework, you'll learn how to:
🐾 Read your dog’s signals without second-guessing
🐾 Build calm confidence without coddling
🐾 Lead in a way that feels safe—for both of you
Join us at: beyond-obedience.thrivecart.com/fearless
Special thanks to music composer Shawn Trotter at shawntrotter.com