4 Reasons Your Pet Is Anxious Around Men
Sometimes, our animals exhibit behaviors that seem out of character. Understanding our pets helps us give them the best care and affection. While some of these behaviors might seem to have no catalyst, you can almost always find one if you dig deep enough. For example, many reasons could explain why a pet is anxious around men. If your pet has difficulty around human males, this guide can give you a better understanding of why.
Physical Size
Many men are physically larger than women—and they are much, much larger than animals. Couple this with their deeper, louder voices and facial hair; a man’s mere presence can put your dog or cat on high alert. Some men are also prone to using big gestures when interacting with others. Even without intending to, a man can be intimidating to a small, anxious animal.
Checkered Pasts
If you have adopted an animal from a shelter or rescue, it is almost impossible to know their lives before they come into your world. If your rescue pet is jumpy around men, there might have been a bad encounter with one in the past. We frequently hear, “My pet must have been abused.” Thankfully, this is most often not the case, but there could have been an experience during a developmental fear period that makes them uneasy around certain people, noises, or scents.
Lack of Exposure
Some animals are anxious around men simply because they have not been appropriately socialized around different kinds of people. The window between 7 weeks and 4 months of age is really important for new experiences in the life of a young pet. If your dog or cat did not have much experience around men during that time, they might not feel comfortable with them later in life.
Certain Scents
Animals can smell scents that humans can’t. While this is probably a blessing in most cases, sometimes they get information about people we will never understand. Some men might have scents that make a pet uncomfortable for various reasons. While we might never know what leads to the discomfort, there are ways we can help our pets conquer these fears.
What to Do If Your Pet Is Anxious Around Men
If your pet is anxious around men, there are plenty of ways you can work with your pet to help him or her overcome this anxiety. These include:
- Work with a professional trainer: Trainers understand animal behavior and how to address the root causes of specific issues.
- Slowly introduce your dog to men in comfortable settings: This can mean asking a male friend to come to your house. He should be in the same room as the animal without acknowledging the pet. It might also be helpful if he sits on the ground to seem smaller and less intimidating during the beginning of the session.
- Use positive-based reinforcement: Any time your pet reacts calmly in the presence of a man, use treats or praise as a reward.
- Don’t rush: You don’t want to force your pet into uncomfortable situations. Take your time and give the animal plenty of time to see that most men are perfectly safe to be around.
At Union Lake Veterinary Hospital, we’ve been working with pets for over fifty years. We understand pet health and behavior and can help you ensure your pet is living its best life. To learn more or to schedule an appointment, please call (248) 363-1508.