Helping Your Dog Overcome Fear of Unusual Objects

Does your dog freeze, bark, or back away from things like trash cans, umbrellas, or statues? You're not alone! Some dogs develop fears of everyday objects, especially if they weren’t exposed to them early on. The good news? You can help your pup gain confidence and stay calm with a little patience and training.

Sit & Stay Pro Tip — Breaking the Fear Cycle

To humans, the fear can seem completely irrational. For our editor’s senior puggle, the culprit is large plastic bags. People walking by with large plastic bags of things freaks him out for whatever reason.

Dogs can develop fears for many reasons, including:
✅ Lack of early socialization – They may find these objects strange if they didn’t see them as puppies.
✅ Negative experiences – A loud trash can lid, or a falling umbrella could have startled them in the past.
✅ Instinct – Some dogs are naturally more cautious or wary of new things.

5 Steps to Help Your Dog Feel Safe

Don’t Force It!

Never drag your dog toward a scary object. Instead, let them observe it from a comfortable distance.

Use the “Treat and Retreat” Method

Give treats when your dog looks at the object calmly. If they move away, that’s okay—reward them for coming back at their own pace.

Make It a Game

Turn the object into something positive! Place treats near it, toss a toy around it or incorporate it into a fun training session.

Lead with Confidence

Dogs pick up on our emotions. If you act nervous or overly reassuring, your dog may think there really is something to fear. Stay relaxed and upbeat!

Repeat & Reward

Consistency is key. Short, positive exposures over time will help your dog build trust. Celebrate small victories with praise and treats!

When to Get Professional Help

If your dog’s fear turns into panic, aggression, or avoidance that doesn’t improve, a professional trainer or behaviorist can help with customized desensitization techniques.

With patience and practice, your pup will learn that trash cans (and other spooky objects) aren’t so scary after all! 🐾

Dog Food and Supplement Recalls

Here are the recent recalls and advisories:

• Blue Ridge Beef - Natural Mix for potential salmonella.

• Blue Ridge Beef - Puppy Mix for potential salmonella.

• Hollywood Feed - Carolina Made Chicken Chips Dog Treats for potential salmonella.

• Gaines Family Farmstead - Chicken Chips Dog Treats for potential salmonella.

The Smile Section

If you have a photo and/or story that can make us smile, send it to [email protected].

Vet Recommendation — Breaking Fears of the Vet

This object fear advice can also be applied to nervous vet visitors. A structured desensitization program can help your dog feel more comfortable with vet visits. Since these experiences can be overwhelming for both dogs and their owners, starting at a manageable level and gradually introducing more challenging situations while reinforcing calm behavior is important. Owners should also stay relaxed and confident, as dogs easily pick up on human emotions. If you feel anxious or uncertain, take things slower—even if your dog seems to be adjusting well—to create a positive and stress-free experience for both of you.

Treats

• 🐶 Harrowing rescue: Read all about an owner who jumped into freezing water to save their pup!

• ✍️ Curated dog content: I Love Every Dog creates adorable, heartwarming, and real daily content about dogs, like this post about rescuing dogs.

Want your dog to be featured?

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Think your dog can make us smile? Submit a pic to [email protected] for a chance to see your pet in our Smile Section!