Just like people, dogs experience high and low self-esteem. Can your pup’s self esteem impact dog training? What causes high- and low self-esteem in our canine friends? How do you know if your pup has low self esteem? Let’s start with the basics.
What Does Self-Esteem Mean for Dogs?
Self-esteem in humans describes our level of confidence. Self-esteem describes the same thing in our four-legged pals, but has an additional element to it. For dogs, self-esteem includes emotional stability as well as confidence in their self worth and capabilities. High and low self-esteem can be recognized in our dogs through their behavior.
High Self-Esteem
When a dog has high self-esteem, that dog is generally calm, trusting, and well behaved. If the following describes your pup, he or she likely has great self-esteem!
- Coming when called.
- Listening to commands with little to no hassle.
- Does not exhibit separation anxiety.
- Rarely misbehaves.
- Not often fearful in unfamiliar situations.
Low Self-Esteem
Dogs that experience low self-esteem are far less sure of themselves. The following are a few signs that may indicate low self-esteem.
- Reluctant to come when called.
- Doesn’t consistently follow commands.
- Symptoms of anxiety such as tearing up furniture when home alone.
- Anxious or aggressive in unfamiliar situations.
- Misbehaves often.
What Impacts Canine Self-Esteem?
What causes low self-esteem in dogs? How can you boost their confidence?
There are three primary elements that your dog’s self-esteem is dependent on.
Structure
Dogs need structure and stability for their emotional well being. When dogs don’t know if or when they will get to do vital activities like play, eat, learn, go potty, or even get attention, they become unsure of themselves. This also impacts the trust between the dog and their owner, which causes behavioral issues.
Consistency
Your dog also needs consistency in your expectations. If your dog rips up one of your shoes and you let it go on Monday, and on Tuesday the other shoe is torn up and you get upset, it gives your dog an unclear picture of what is allowed and what is not. It’s important to maintain the same praise or corrections for positive and negative behaviors so that your dog understands what the rules are. Otherwise, your dog may become insecure or anxious with low self-esteem.
Love
It’s vital for our furry friends’ self-esteem to know that they are loved. That’s why praise for good behavior, and spending quality time playing and showing affection daily are so important! When dogs feel cared for, it increases trust and improves behavior as well as self-esteem.
Professional dog training can be a highly effective way to bolster your pooches’ confidence. When kept up on regularly, dog training provides the structure and consistency needed to improve self-esteem. It can also be a beautiful bonding experience between you and your pup, through building trust and expanding quality time spent together!
If you find yourself in need of dog training services, give us a call at 973-670-7450 for quality dog training that is guaranteed to stick fur life!