Why Standard Dog Training Can Worsen Canine Fear and Anxiety

Many anxious dogs get worse—not better—after traditional training. In this episode, we explore why obedience-based methods often fail fearful dogs, how corrections intensify anxiety, and what actually helps dogs feel safer and change behavior long-term.

If your dog shuts down, panics, or reacts despite “knowing the commands,” this episode explains why—and what to do instead.

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Disclaimer
This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice. If your dog is displaying aggression toward humans, consult an experienced and knowledgeable canine behavior professional who uses humane, non-aversive methods, and always take precautions to keep others safe.

Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not responsible for any outcomes resulting from the use or interpretation of the information shared in this podcast.

Transcript

Welcome back to the USA Dog Behavior podcast! I'm Scott Sheaffer, a certified dog behaviorist specializing in all types of canine behavior issues. In today’s episode we’re tackling something that might make some dog owners uncomfortable—but it’s important.
 
We’re talking about why standard dog training can actually make anxious and fearful dogs worse.

If you’ve ever had a dog who freezes, shakes, growls, barks, or bolts when they’re stressed… and you’ve tried traditional dog training, you know how frustrating it can be when nothing seems to work.
 
Most people’s first instinct is to think, “My dog needs even more training.”
And maybe you’ve even enrolled your dog in obedience classes or worked with a trainer who uses firm corrections, structure, or repetition to shape behavior.

Well… here’s the hard truth: for anxious dogs, that approach often fails. And sometimes it makes things worse.

It’s not because you don’t care about your dog. It’s not because trainers are intentionally harsh or ineffective.
 
It’s because anxiety and fear are emotional states, not obedience problems.
And you can’t “train” a dog out of an emotion using commands alone.

Most traditional dog training assumes that unwanted behavior is a choice by the dog. The dog is seen as ignoring commands, testing boundaries, or being stubborn or – god forbid – they’re alpha!

But an anxious dog isn’t being stubborn or any of these other things. Their nervous system is overwhelmed. When fear is present, the thinking part of their brain—the one that listens, processes, and responds—basically goes offline. This is exactly the same thing that happens to humans when significantly overwhelmed with anxiety or fear. 

Think about it this way: asking a scared dog to sit or heel in the middle of a panic moment is like asking a person having a panic attack to calm down and focus.
Both dog and human literally can’t comply.

Many common training methods rely on pressure—leash pops, verbal corrections, prong collars, shock collars to modify behavior.
 
For a confident dog, these methods may teach compliance. But for an anxious or fearful dog, it often only reinforces their fears.

The dog learns:

·       “I was already scared… and now bad things happen too.”

·       “My handler doesn’t make me feel safer.”

·       “Warning signals don’t work, so I need to escalate to protect myself.”

That’s how fear turns into aggression. Not because the dog is dominant or defiant, but because anxiety has nowhere else to go.

We often hear, “Obedience training will build confidence.” In reality, obedience without emotional safety builds suppression, not confidence. A dog who appears to follow commands while internally panicking is enduring the trauma and is absolutely not confident. We call it “masking” in the dog behavior world. The dog is just suppressing its behavior while their internal fear and anxiety state stay the same or even gets worse.
 
Real confidence comes from:

·       Feeling safe

·       Predictable outcomes

·       Having distance from threats

·       Learning that their communication to us works

None of that comes from forcing obedience.

So, what should you do instead?

Effective work focuses on changing emotional responses, not just outward behavior.

Some strategies include:

·       Reducing and controlling exposure to overwhelming situations

·       Working below the dog’s fear threshold

·       Allowing choice and agency

·       Pairing triggers with safety, not pressure

·       Teaching coping skills, not just commands

Yes, progress might be slower, and it may not look as obvious at first. But this approach builds lasting change—behavior that reflects true emotional calm, not just surface-level compliance.

Instead of asking, “How do I get my dog to listen?”
Try asking, “Why doesn’t my dog feel safe right now?”

When we prioritize making the dog feel safe, behavior changes naturally follow. Your dog learns that their world isn’t threatening. They regain confidence. They stop needing to escalate to protect themselves.

Key Takeaways

·       Anxiety isn’t disobedience.

·       Corrections often make fearful dogs worse.

·       Obedience without safety = suppression, not confidence.

·       Emotional safety and predictable experiences are the foundation of real behavior change for fearful and anxious dogs.

If you take one thing away from today’s episode, let it be this: Stop thinking of anxious behavior as a “problem to fix.” Start thinking of it as a signal that your dog needs safety, guidance, and choice.

If you have a dog who struggles with fear or anxiety, or if you’ve tried standard training without success, I hope this episode gives you a new perspective—and some practical ideas to start creating real, lasting change.