What is an important step when handling anxious dogs?

Approaching with a calm demeanor is crucial when handling anxious dogs because canine behavior is heavily influenced by human emotions and body language. Dogs are perceptive and can pick up on the stress or anxiety of the people around them. By maintaining a calm presence, you help create a reassuring environment that encourages the dog to feel more at ease. This approach fosters trust and reduces the likelihood of the dog reacting negatively.

Calm movements, soft speech, and a relaxed posture can signal to the dog that it is safe, making it more likely to respond positively. In contrast, using force or demonstrating aggressive behavior or tension can exacerbate the dog's anxiety, leading to fear-related behaviors such as growling or biting. Ignoring their body language fails to acknowledge the signs of anxiety that the dog may be displaying, which can lead to misinterpretation of their state of mind and potentially dangerous situations. Feeding treats outright without considering the dog's anxiety and readiness can also create conflict, as the dog might not be in the right frame of mind to accept food. Thus, adopting a calm demeanor is essential for effectively addressing the needs of anxious dogs.