15 Tips to Help Your Dog Feel Safe – How can I help my dog feel safe?

This is one of the most common questions asked by owners of anxious and insecure dogs. Here, you’ll learn how to build a sense of security for your dog and maintain it in daily life. With the following 15 tips, you’ll be able to give your dog more confidence day by day and become a more confident handler yourself.

How Do Insecurity and Fear Show in Dogs?

Insecurity and fear can show in many ways. Typical signs include:

Aggression
Constant barking, whining, or howling
Freezing in place
Tucked tail and crouched posture
Fiddling (nervous movements)
Avoidance behavior and fleeing
Seeking closeness to the owner
Startling easily
Drooling
Constantly following the owner
Excessive panting without a reason
Destruction
Trembling
Hiding and withdrawing

Unfortunately, many still believe that discipline and force are the best response when a dog is scared or insecure. But this not only damages your bond – or prevents one from forming – it also puts your dog under unnecessary stress.

Prolonged stress can cause illness.

Instead of forcing your dog through everything or getting annoyed when they constantly follow you (which isn’t about control!), the following tips will help both of you.

15 Tips to Instantly Give Your Dog More Security

Living with an insecure dog makes many everyday situations more difficult. Routine things may trigger stress, avoidance, or even aggression.

Even dogs that are usually confident can become unsettled by changes like moving, losing a companion, or switching owners.

Do you want to actively support your dog? These 15 tips are a great foundation.

Tip 1: Create a Routine

Walks, training, meals – keeping regular routines and consistent feeding and walking times (especially in the beginning) builds reliability.

Avoid sudden changes and don’t introduce too many new things at once.

Tip 2: Provide a Safe Space with a View

A secure retreat helps with healthy sleep, relaxation, and a sense of safety. Ideally, this space is quiet and not in a high-traffic area – but not so isolated that your dog feels left out.

Let your dog choose their preferred resting spot – quiet corners or the calm side of the couch often work well.

Height can help too. Elevated areas give a better view and a greater sense of security. If possible, provide a cozy den with a slight elevation and allow access to the couch or bed. Your presence and the option for physical closeness (like lying against you) help many dogs feel protected.

Tip 3: Set Reliable Rules

Think carefully about which rules apply and why. My dogs only have a few rules – because only a few things are truly important to me.

Safety is the top priority. That’s why we have these rules:

Outside, absolutely nothing is eaten unless it comes from my hand. No exceptions – not even from friends, family, or dropped food.
If aggressive dogs approach, mine must immediately move behind me. No barking, lunging, or acting tough. I’m their protector.
When I say “SPIT IT OUT!”, there’s no discussion. If someone tries to gulp something down, my hand will be in their mouth faster than they realize.

I stand by these rules completely. I communicate them clearly and consistently. They always apply. That alone creates security.

Consistency and reliability are the foundation not just for training – but for peaceful co-living with your dog.

Ask yourself:

Do you fully support the rules you set? Not: “It applies today, but maybe not tomorrow.”
Do you always use the same commands?
Have you trained the commands so your dog can truly understand and internalize them?

Anything else is confusing and unfair.

Tip 4: Become More Confident Yourself

Some people get a dog to feel safer. But if you are insecure, you pass that onto your dog.

Some dogs react with aggression. Others get more fearful. In both cases, it’s because they don’t feel protected or secure with you.

When you become confident and assertive, your dog will relax.
How to boost your dog-handling skills is covered in the guide: “How to Become a More Confident Dog Owner.”

Tip 5: Be Proactive

A dog appears on the horizon and your dog struggles with encounters? Change direction or create distance before your dog reacts.

People rushing up to pet your dog? Step in front of him, hold out your hand, and say firmly, „Stop!“

This shows your dog you handle threats and stressors – and that you’re the protector.

Tip 6: Explore at Your Dog’s Pace

Take time to sit on a park bench and observe. Walk slowly through the woods, letting your dog sniff everything from garbage bins to rustling leaves.

When your dog can explore at their pace, many things lose their scariness.

Make sure not too many stimuli are around. Pick quieter places and times.

Tip 7: Use “Look and Label”

This isn’t a game but a useful method for fearful, insecure, or prey-driven dogs.

How it works will be explained soon in the upcoming article: “Look and Label – Step by Step.”

You guide your dog by showing, naming, and introducing alternative behaviors.

Tip 8: Build Your Dog’s Confidence

Yes, dogs have self-confidence—or not. Insecure dogs often doubt themselves and feel helpless without you.

You can change that. The more your dog realizes they can do things, the better.

Great confidence builders include:

Dog sports like agility or cavaletti
Fun hobbies like trick training
Puzzle toys or scent work

In short: Every time your dog learns something, overcomes a challenge, and gets praised, their confidence grows—and fear decreases.

Tip 9: Introduce Confidence Challenges

Confidence challenges vary by dog. For one, it might be climbing stairs. For another, tolerating the breeze of a fan without fleeing.

These mini-challenges show your dog that scary things aren’t so bad. Just go at your dog’s pace and ensure positive outcomes.

How to do this? Check out the upcoming article: “Reducing Fear in Dogs Through Confidence Challenges.”

Tip 10: Take Fears Seriously

There’s a long-standing myth that you should ignore a dog’s fear because comforting them only makes it worse.

But if you crouch down next to your dog trembling and crying, yes, it could backfire.

Acknowledging fear, calming your dog, and removing them from the situation is entirely different – and essential for your bond and progress.

Tip 11: Find the Right Balance

Never challenging your dog is just as bad as overwhelming them. The goal is to stretch them just enough that they succeed – and gain confidence.

Want real progress? Find the sweet spot.

Tip 12: Motivate Your Dog – The Right Way

Treats, praise, play, cuddles – different dogs respond to different rewards.

Find out what motivates your dog most, and use it intentionally to reduce fear and insecurity.

A fun walk with other dogs, a successful training session, a sniffing game that leads to a toy, or a kind stranger:

The more positive experiences your dog has, the more confident they become.

Well-chosen social contacts also help. Calm, confident dogs can even act as role models.

Tip 14: Avoid Frightening Situations

To a fearful or insecure dog, many things feel threatening – loud noises, conflict, anger, impulsive actions.

You can’t avoid everything – but you can reduce or better manage some stressors.

Do you yell when you’re mad? Work on it. Slam doors or get irritable easily?

These affect your dog and increase insecurity. If you’re upset, calm down first—before interacting with your dog or risking setbacks in training.

Tip 15: Use the Power of Physical Contact

Not all dogs want or need physical closeness. But some do and benefit greatly from it.

Don’t force your dog to cuddle, be petted, or hugged.

Welcomed closeness, like lying next to you, is one of the most powerful ways to give your dog calm, connection, and security.

That’s one reason why letting your “couch wolf” share the sofa or bed can be so valuable.

And by the way: relaxing closely with your dog is proven to be good for humans too;)

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