Myths About Fearful Dogs

Fearful dogs are often misunderstood — not just by strangers on the street, but sometimes even by the people who love them most. When it comes to fear-based behavior, myths and misinformation can do more than just get in the way — they can delay progress, damage trust, and even make things worse.

We’ve heard it all: “She just needs more exposure,” “He’s trying to be dominant,” or “Ignore it and it will go away.” These kinds of statements may be common, but they’re rooted in misunderstanding — not science.

In this post, we’re busting the most common myths about fearful dogs and replacing them with facts that support healing, safety, and a stronger relationship between you and your dog. Understanding the truth is the first step toward helping your dog feel more confident in their world. Let’s dive in.

Myth #1: “She’s being dramatic or manipulative.”

Fearful behaviors like growling, hiding, or barking are often misunderstood as “acting out” or attention-seeking. Some may even view these behaviors as deliberate disobedience.

The truth: A fearful dog's behavior is rooted in fear, not aggression or mischief. Fear is a survival response. According to Overall (2013), fear-based behaviors are not choices—they’re automatic emotional reactions to perceived threats. Responding with punishment or frustration only reinforces her sense of danger.

Myth #2: “She’ll get over it if we just expose her more.”

This belief often leads people to force fearful dogs into overwhelming situations (e.g., having guests hand-feed her or letting children approach).

The truth: This can cause sensitization, not desensitization. A fearful dog will not “get used to it” if she’s consistently pushed past her threshold. She needs controlled, positive exposures paired with safety and agency to reshape her emotional responses. As noted in Stress in Dogs (Scholz & von Reinhardt, 2007), repeated fear experiences can worsen reactivity and erode trust.

Myth #3: “If we ignore her fear, it will go away.”

People may be told not to comfort a fearful dog because it will “reinforce the fear.”

The truth: Emotions are not behaviors and cannot be reinforced. Comforting a fearful dog during a stressful moment doesn’t make her more fearful—it shows her she’s not alone. As cited by McConnell and Scidmore in The Puppy Primer (2010), support and predictability reduce anxiety and foster resilience.

Myth #4: “She’s just protecting us.”

It’s common to misread fear-based barking or reactivity as loyalty or territorial behavior.

The truth: The dogs' reactions to people near the home are most likely driven by fear of the unfamiliar, not a desire to defend. Fearful dogs often bark to increase distance from a perceived threat. They feel safer when the person leaves—not because they’re being “protective,” but because the scary thing went away.

Myth #5: “She’s a rescue, so she’s broken.”

Some families may feel hopeless, assuming there rescue’s behavior is permanent because of her past.

The truth: Your dog is not broken—she’s learning. With positive reinforcement, consistency, and a trauma-informed approach, fearful dogs can build trust and learn to feel safe. Behavior is fluid, not fixed. Your dog can make tremendous progress when we meet her with empathy and evidence-based strategies.

Myth #6: “You should correct barking, growling, or other ‘bad’ behaviors to teach him it’s wrong.”

Many people believe that interrupting or punishing a dog for growling, barking, or even nipping is necessary to stop the behavior. But these behaviors are communication—early warning signs that a dog is uncomfortable, scared, or overwhelmed. When we punish these signals, we don’t solve the problem—we just teach the dog not to warn us next time.

Truth: Suppressing communication is dangerous. If your dog learns that growling or barking results in punishment, he may skip these warnings and go straight to a bite when overwhelmed.

As Turid Rugaas emphasizes in On Talking Terms With Dogs: Calming Signals, a dog’s subtle cues are essential for avoiding conflict. Growls, barks, or avoidance are his way of saying, “I need space” or “I’m scared.” Responding with compassion—not correction—protects everyone and allows us to address the root emotion instead of silencing the signal.

If people respond to communication with scolding, leash pops, or “corrections,” a dog may stop warning entirely, making the behavior seem better in the beginning—until it suddenly escalates into something serious like a bite. Instead, we’ll teach everyone how to recognize and respond appropriately to communication, helping your dog feel heard and supported.

Helping a fearful dog isn’t about pushing them through their fear — it’s about meeting them where they are and building trust, one step at a time. By letting go of outdated myths and embracing what we now know about fear-based behavior, you’re giving your dog the best chance to feel safe, supported, and understood.

Fearful dogs aren’t broken — they’re communicating. And when we listen with empathy and respond with science-backed strategies, real progress happens. If you’re navigating fear-related behaviors with your dog, know that you’re not alone — and you don’t have to figure it out on your own. A qualified, compassionate trainer can help guide you and your dog toward a calmer, more confident future — together.