This introduction to the SAFE to be Brave course should help you get started in using this class to learn how to support your fearful or fizzy dog using games based training methods that work with the 5 Core Confidences:
Safety Confidence - the belief or feeling that they will be safe, calm, and comfortable in regular day-to-day activities.
Self Confidence - the belief that they can handle the challenges in front of them.
Relationship/Team Confidence - the belief that together (dog/handler) they can handle the challenges in front of them.
Predictability Confidence - the belief that things happen for a reason and their behavior can predict or dictate outcomes.
Distractions Confidence - the belief that changes in circumstances are acceptable and manageable.
Each lesson in this collection will expand on these 5 types of confidence by using training, games, and activities that are designed to protect and strengthen the dogs perception of confidence. In turn, these lessons will also help to grow the handler’s confidence in these areas as well.
In this topic, we’re diving into something that’s absolutely critical for building a confident, safe dog: emotions. The behaviors we see (barking, lunging, freezing, or running away) are almost always driven by an underlying emotional state. If we ignore the emotion, we can’t truly change the behavior.
We take a look at how we can help dogs feel safe by learning what causes their emotions to climb, often very rapidly, and what helps your dog reduce stress.
Welcome to the first lesson on Self Confidence!
In this session, we’re focusing on the belief that your dog can handle the challenges in front of them. Self confidence isn’t something that happens overnight, t’s built through repeated experiences where your dog makes good choices and experiences success.
The first step is understanding what choices your dog is capable of making and setting realistic expectations. Rushing training or asking for behaviors that are too advanced can actually undermine confidence, so it’s important to start where your dog can succeed. Giving your dog daily opportunities to make choices, guided by their five senses, is a powerful way to start building this foundation.