Fear of Unfamiliar People or Places
Unfamiliar situations and people are unnerving to many pets. A
pet's territorial and social nature, combined with past experiences
in new places with new people, helps to determine its reactions.
The ability to adapt to a variety of situations is, in part, a
learned ability. A dog that is confined or that has limited opportunity
to socialize with others, particularly during the critical period
of socialization to people between 6 and 14 weeks of age, may
develop antisocial behavior later in life. This important developmental
phase may occur even sooner in kittens. Pets may respond fearfully
toward certain people. This does not necessarily mean that the
pet has had a past negative experience with that person or another
person. A pet that is fearful of men, for example, has not necessarily
been abused by a man in the past. A fear of men, common to many
pets, is likely a reflection of inadequate socialization to males
as compared with females. A young pet should be exposed to a variety
of social situations early in life to prevent problems later,
but it should not be forced to endure any situation that makes
it uncomfortable. Shyness in adult pets must be met with patience.
The pet should be coaxed with food treats and gentle verbal praise.