Last Updated on February 14, 2021
2. Prepare for new visitors around the house
If you know your dog is scared of strangers, you should notify everyone that comes into your house to ignore your dog. Most people tend to make a big fuss about dogs, trying to pet them and make big gestures towards them. For a scared, nervous dog, this is a nightmare. So how to help your dog stop being scared of new visitors around the house? A simple and effective trick is to give some treats to the visitor so they can toss them on the floor while walking around the house. Your dog will follow the visitor expecting another treat to fall on the floor. This way, your doggo will associate treats with this particular stranger instead of feeling fear. If you feel like you don’t trust your dog around strangers, using a dog muzzle may be necessary. It’s always a good idea to keep a “safe room” unlocked where your dog can go when he feels stressed or scared. Let’s say you’re at a party or are receiving many guests in your living room. Your dog might become overwhelmed too quickly and in need of some rest. Let him go to this safe space for a while and allow him to leave whenever he wants.
