Cecile Gambin via iStockWhether your dog is a puppy just starting their training or an adult with years of experience, confidence is important. It’s what makes a dog resilient, so they can approach new situations and challenges with curiosity rather than fear.
A dog’s confidence is a combination of nature, nurture, and environment, according to Renee Rhoades, animal behaviorist at R+Dogs. “Dogs who are given opportunities to build positive interactions to the world around them can regulate their nervous system more easily, especially in situations that are novel,” she explains.
With help from Rhoades, we’ll review how to evaluate a dog’s confidence, plus what you can do as a pet parent to foster it.
Confident Body Language
Dogs are pros at using their bodies to communicate what they’re feeling. A confident dog displays relaxed body language with everything from their ears to their tail.
Here’s what to look for:
- Posture—tall and soft, leaning forward. Look for an upright but soft body—not straining or stiff, as you might see in a dog who’s feeling alert or wary.
- Tail—high and relaxed. Though exactly what this looks like can vary by breed, the key is that the tail is neither tucked nor high and stiff.
- Ears—upright or relaxed. When a prick-eared dog is feeling confident, their ears are likely to be upright and angled forward. On floppy-eared dogs, look for a relaxed and neutral hang—not pinned back.
- Eyes—soft. When a dog is relaxed and confident, the facial muscles around their eyes will be soft, and their focus will be general—not locked on to a particular trigger.
- Mouth—relaxed. Look for a closed mouth without tightness or rigidity, and maybe soft pants or a dog smile.
Confident Behavior
A self-assured dog is able to work through a challenge or to bounce back and show resilience after a stressor. That doesn’t mean your dog loves every new situation—but if they’re confident, they should be able to adapt and recover.
Here’s what a confident dog can do:
- Meet new dogs or other animals calmly. A confident dog is relaxed or calmly curious around other dogs and animals, without showing excessive excitement or fear.
- Meet new people with ease. When meeting new people, a confident dog will have a relaxed posture and soft eyes. They might wag their tail and approach for a sniff if interested.
- Have visitors in the home. When guests arrive, a confident dog won’t take on guard duty with alarm barks or rush guests. They’ll stay relaxed or approach visitors calmly for a sniff.
- Visit a new place. Self-assured dogs typically greet new sights, smells and environments with relaxed composure or interest.
- Deal with loud or surprising noises. Loud or sudden noises are tricky for a lot of dogs—but while a confident dog may startle, they should be able to recover quickly and resume their usual behavior.
Keep in mind that even the most confident dogs may be fearful in a situation they find threatening, and it’s important to respect your dog’s limits and earn their trust.
It’s also possible to have a dog who’s confident in some respects and not others—like a dog who’s instantly comfortable around other dogs but dreads new places. Just like with people, a dog’s confidence will vary from situation to situation.
How To Help Build Your Dog’s Confidence
- While some measure of confidence is inborn, there are also things you can do to foster your dog’s confidence. In fact, you’re critical to it. By earning your dog’s trust and helping make new experiences positive, you can make a big difference in your dog’s self-assurance.
1. Practice socialization and gentle exposure
Socialization is a gradual way of exposing your pup to everyday life experiences while rewarding them for trying new things at their own pace. It’s a great way to build a puppy’s confidence.
While socialization exercises work best for puppies during the first few months of their life, older dogs can benefit too from gentle, positive exposure to new things. And where fears already exist, you can build confidence with desensitization and counterconditioning techniques.
2. Focus on positive reinforcement training
It’s important not to use punishment or force when working on confidence. “This can shut down curiosity, leading to a dog who experiences the world with a pessimistic view,” explains Rhoades.
Instead, use positive reinforcement to teach your dog through a reward system. When your dog performs a desired behavior, they get a treat, a toy, or praise, while behaviors you want to avoid are redirected to positive ones.
Studies show positive reinforcement training is both effective and great for building your dog’s confidence.
3. Build your dog a safe spot in the home that’s all theirs
Creating a designated area specifically for your dog helps them self-regulate and settle. That spot can be a bedroom, a closet, a laundry room, or even a corner of the family room that’s meant just for them. Fill it with cozy things and make sure family and guests know that your dog should be left alone when they’re in their spot.
4. Avoid negative experiences (especially at formative ages)
One major thing that dogs lack is control of their environment. “Giving your dog the ability to opt out of an interaction or situation will help to build their confidence in the long run,” Rhoades explains.
That means never forcing interactions with new people or other animals and leaving situations that stress your dog or make them uncomfortable. If it’s critical that your dog get comfortable with these things in the future, consider desensitization training.
5. Practice confidence-building games and enrichment activities
A confident dog is one who is physically, mentally and socially fulfilled, says Rhoades.
Most dogs need a couple of hours of enrichment activities per day, including walks and exercise. Extra enrichment can include a puzzle toy, a game of fetch, or even a car ride.
6. Be a safe space for your dog
Rhoades says studies indicate that dogs, like young children, who have a secure attachment to their guardians grow to be more curious and confident.
“Be a safe space for your dog so that they can trust you and know that you will help and comfort them in any scenario that they are feeling stressed,” says Rhoades.
Part of being a safe space means knowing when to get help. If you find that your dog is lacking confidence, consider reaching out to a qualified trainer or behaviorist. With help from a pro, you can build your dog’s confidence and get them back to enjoying life by your side.