Tiny Shih Tzu Bravely Conquers Going Down The Stairs And He's Absolutely Fearless
The world looks very different when you have tiny legs and a face that's barely a foot off the ground. For little Finnigan, being fun-sized means occasionally losing the battle against the stairs. A charming TikTok starts with Finnigan poised at the top of a staircase as his human encourages him to come down. The shih tzu moves as though he's about to take a step, but gets too nervous at the last second. Time for another pep talk! This time, the pup gets a reminder that he's "Fearless Finnigan," and there's no need to hesitate.
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Round two of Finnigan versus the stairs ends in a doggy victory. He hops downstairs and looks up at his human at the end as though he's expecting a treat. "You go, dude!" one commenter cheered. Another added, "Each step is as tall as him, he's so brave!" The TikTok video's caption explains that Finnigan has come quite far in getting over his fear of stairs.
A few small tweaks can ease your dog's anxiety
Stairs aren't the only thing that can be scary to a dog. When a dog gets scared, the best advice is often just to slow down. For example, is your dog nervous about meeting new pups or being around bigger dogs? Instead of going to the dog park and hoping your dog realizes how fun it is, you might learn about counterconditioning and desensitization and help your dog through gradual exposure. Perhaps the pooch starts by sitting on the porch, watching other furry creatures go by from a safe distance. The next step could be a playdate with the neighbor's dog, and then moving on from there.
If repeated exposure fails to dent a fear response, your dog might benefit from seeing a professional trainer or behaviorist. There are many who specialize in fearful dogs, and they'll understand how to work on your pup's specific struggles. Another option for handling canine fears is making simple changes. If your dog is scared of vacuums, the easiest thing to do might be to mask the sound with a noise machine or buy a quieter vacuum. Helping dogs who are afraid of 4th of July fireworks might involve creating a safe space or tiring them out before the big show. Ultimately, a little patience (or an adorable pep talk) while addressing specific needs can help.