By Suzanne Gould, Behaviourist and Dynamic Dog Practitioner

Hand-feeding, a common technique used to build trust with worried or scared dogs, is more complex than it seems. To truly understand its effectiveness, we need to delve into canine behaviour, particularly the approach-avoidance conflict, and the potential for food to worsen the situation.

Understanding Approach-Avoidance Conflict in Dogs

Anxious and fearful dogs often experience an internal struggle known as approach-avoidance conflict. They may be motivated to approach a person and accept food due to an inherent drive or positive association, yet simultaneously be inhibited by fear or anxiety. Hand-feeding can inadvertently exacerbate this conflict if the perceived threat of the approaching hand outweighs the desire for the food. The dog may reluctantly take the treat while displaying subtle signs of stress, such as lip licking, yawning, or a stiff body posture. In such instances, the interaction, while seemingly positive on the surface, may not effectively build trust and could even increase underlying anxiety.

To break this down further, imagine a dog who’s wary of people but also loves food. The sight and smell of a tasty treat offered by a person triggers a mixed message in their brain. One part of them, the ‘approach’ part, wants to move forward to get the yummy food. This is driven by their natural instincts and any positive experiences they’ve had with food in the past. However, another part of their brain, the ‘avoidance’ part, is telling them to stay away because they associate people with fear or discomfort. This fear could stem from a previous bad experience, lack of socialisation, or their inherent temperament.

When a person offers food, these two conflicting motivations create a kind of mental tug-of-war. The dog is essentially forced to make a decision: is the food worth the risk of getting closer to the person? If the fear is too strong, the dog might not take the food at all, or they might snatch it quickly and retreat, showing they’re still highly uncomfortable.

Even if the dog takes the treat, they might display displacement behaviours. These are subtle signs of stress that indicate the dog is feeling conflicted or anxious. Lip licking, for example, is a common sign of anxiety in dogs. Yawning, when the dog isn’t tired, can also indicate stress. A stiff body posture, where the dog’s muscles are tense and they seem frozen, is another sign that they’re not relaxed. These signs indicate the dog is experiencing a high level of internal conflict.

The problem with approach-avoidance conflict is that, on the surface, the dog may appear to be happily taking the treat, and the hand-feeding seems to be working. However, underneath, the dog is actually feeling quite stressed. This can have several negative consequences. Firstly, the dog doesn’t actually learn to associate the person with safety and trust. Instead, they learn that interacting with the person is a stressful experience, even if it sometimes leads to a tasty reward. Secondly, the repeated experience of this approach-avoidance conflict can increase the dog’s overall anxiety levels.

In the long run, this can make it even harder for the dog to overcome their fear and build a positive relationship with people. So, while hand-feeding can be a useful tool in some situations, it’s essential to be aware of the potential for approach-avoidance conflict, especially with anxious or fearful dogs.

The Dangers of Flooding in Dog Training

Introducing hand-feeding that overwhelms the dog’s coping mechanisms can inadvertently lead to flooding. Flooding occurs when the dog is exposed to a high-intensity fear-eliciting stimulus without the opportunity to escape. For a severely anxious dog, having a hand persistently near their face, even with food, can be perceived as an inescapable and threatening situation. This can result in a heightened fear response, potentially damaging the fragile trust and making future interactions more challenging. A gradual and carefully paced introduction is paramount to avoid triggering a flooding response.

Simply put, flooding is like throwing someone terrified of the deep end of a pool. Instead of gently getting them used to the water, you just chuck them in and hope they’ll figure it out. In the context of hand-feeding, this means overwhelming the dog with the very thing they fear – your hand.

Imagine a dog who’s extremely nervous around people, perhaps due to past trauma or a lack of socialisation. They see hands as something to be wary of, maybe even something that has caused them pain or discomfort. Now, imagine someone trying to hand-feed this dog by repeatedly reaching towards their face with a treat. The dog can’t go anywhere; they’re essentially trapped in a situation where the scary thing (the hand) is constantly approaching them.

This creates a state of intense fear and panic. The dog’s body is flooded with stress hormones like cortisol and adrenaline. Their heart rate skyrockets, they might start panting heavily, and they could even lose control of their bladder or bowels. They’re in survival mode, and they’re not learning anything positive.

The problem with flooding is that it doesn’t allow the dog to process their fear in a healthy way. Instead of learning that hands can be safe, they learn that hands are terrifying and inescapable. This can have serious consequences for their well-being and their relationship with humans.

Here’s why flooding is so damaging:

• It intensifies fear: The experience can make the dog even more afraid of hands than they were before.
• It damages trust: It breaks down any existing trust between the dog and the person, making it much harder to build that trust back.
• It can lead to other behavioural problems: The trauma of flooding can manifest in other ways, such as increased aggression, anxiety, or depression.

In essence, flooding is a cruel and ineffective way to try to help a fearful dog. A gradual approach, where the dog feels safe and in control, is much better.

The Risk of Food Aversion in Dog Training

While food is generally considered a positive reinforcer, its delivery can become aversive under certain circumstances. If a dog associates the presentation of food with a stressful or uncomfortable situation (e.g., forced interaction), the food itself can become a conditioned aversive. This can undermine the intended positive association of hand-feeding and further erode trust. Therefore, it’s essential to ensure that hand-feeding occurs in a calm, pressure-free environment where the dog feels safe and has the autonomy to approach and retreat.

Let’s explore this a bit more. We all know dogs love food. It’s a primary motivator, and we often use it to reward good behaviour. However, if a dog experiences stress or discomfort at the same time they’re being offered food, they can start to link that negative experience with the food itself.

Here are a few scenarios where this might happen:

• Being cornered: Imagine a shy dog is in a corner, and someone tries to hand-feed them. The dog feels trapped and can’t escape. The anxiety of being cornered gets associated with the food.
• Forced interaction: If someone tries to hold a dog still or force them to take food from their hand, the dog might find this very unpleasant. The discomfort of being restrained is then linked to the food.
• Loud noises or other scary events: If a loud noise suddenly occurs while a dog is being hand-fed, they might associate that fear with the food, even if the food itself wasn’t the cause of the fear.

In these situations, the dog isn’t thinking, “”Yummy treat!”” Instead, they’s thinking, “”Oh no, something bad is happening, and food is involved.”” Over time, the food, which was once a positive thing, becomes a trigger for negative emotions.

This can have a knock-on effect on hand-feeding. If a dog has learned to associate food with stress, they’re less likely to want to take food from your hand. This can make hand-feeding ineffective and damage your relationship with the dog. They might become confused and conflicted because their natural desire for the food is now mixed with fear or anxiety.

Alternative Strategies for Building Trust with Anxious Dogs

Recognising the limitations and potential pitfalls of relying solely on hand-feeding necessitates exploring a broader range of strategies for building trust with anxious and fearful dogs. A comprehensive approach should prioritise the following:

• Creating a Safe and Predictable Environment: Establishing a consistent routine and providing a secure den or refuge where the dog can retreat when feeling overwhelmed is fundamental. This fosters a sense of control and predictability, reducing overall anxiety.
• Respecting Canine Body Language: Learning to accurately interpret subtle signs of stress and discomfort is crucial. Allowing the dog to dictate the pace of interaction and respecting their need for space builds trust and prevents overwhelming them.
• Low-Pressure Positive Interactions: Instead of direct hand-feeding initially, consider tossing treats from a distance or placing them on the floor near the dog. This allows the dog to approach at their own pace and associate your presence with positive outcomes without feeling directly approached.
• Gradual Exposure and Counter-Conditioning: Systematically exposing the dog to mildly anxiety-provoking stimuli at a low intensity while pairing it with something positive (high-value treats, calm praise) can gradually change their emotional response. This should be done incrementally and under the guidance of a professional.
• Building Confidence Through Enrichment: Providing opportunities for the dog to engage in species-appropriate behaviours, such as sniffing, exploring, and problem-solving, can boost their overall confidence and resilience.
• Positive Reinforcement Training: Using reward-based training methods to teach basic obedience and desirable behaviours can build communication and trust. Focus on rewarding voluntary engagement and avoiding any form of punishment or coercion.
• Considering Professional Guidance: For dogs with significant anxiety or fear, consulting a certified canine behaviourist is highly recommended. A professional can conduct a thorough assessment and develop a tailored behaviour modification plan that addresses the individual dog’s specific needs and challenges.

In conclusion, while hand-feeding can be a component of a trust-building strategy with anxious and fearful dogs, it is not a cure-all and must be implemented thoughtfully and very carefully. A deeper understanding of approach-avoidance conflict, the risks of flooding, and the potential for food to become aversive underscores the need for a holistic and nuanced approach that prioritises the dog’s emotional well-being and respects their individual needs. A multifaceted strategy that focuses on creating safety, respecting boundaries, and employing gradual, positive interactions is far more likely to foster genuine and lasting trust.

If you need help building trust with your fearful dog, email contact@edinburghholisticdogs.co.uk for help.