If stress and fear had opposites, they would be empowerment and resilience. I’ve always loved these topics, and my regular readers will know that well. 

Resilience means a dog can cope more easily with the world, and empowerment is what we do to help them get there. 

The more we empower our dogs, the less they struggle. It’s true for the anxious and sensitive, and just as true for the seemingly bomb proof dogs too.

My own dogs are far from bomb proof. 

They each have unique personalities with different play styles, preferences, and fears. 

Each of them copes differently with the world around them. And so, every day, I look at their needs, behaviours, personalities and resilience.

Ask yourself the same questions. 

• Does your dog cope well with other dogs? 
• Are they comfortable on walks? 
• Do they jump at noises, or struggle when left alone? 
• Do they love to play?

Understanding our dogs means observing them closely and regularly, so keep watching.

Confidence grows with success. It’s the same for dogs as it is for us. When we try something new and it works out, we feel more ready to try again. That’s confidence, and it builds resilience.

A confident dog expects the world to go well. They try new things, learn from them, and begin to believe in themselves. 

So, what does your dog expect when they face something unfamiliar? 

Do they try new things at all? 

And how can you help them feel good about doing so?

Clicker training is a brilliant way to explore this.

Done well, it works through the dog making new choices without clues or prompts. Click and reward when they do something naturally, and you’ll build confidence and curiosity. That’s empowerment in action.

You can also build confidence through problem solving. 

Set up little challenges just outside your dog’s comfort zone, with a high chance of success. 

A cardboard box with food hidden inside, or a sock over a pot, can become a fun puzzle.

Celebrate their success in a way that fits their personality. Encouraging your dog to succeed teaches them to keep trying.

Confidence outdoors is often about calmness. Calmness is about space. Some dogs become more confident by simply sitting in new places and observing the world. 

As long as they feel safe and have space, this quiet exploration builds emotional strength. But if they are too close to something they find overwhelming, it will do the opposite. So choose your spaces wisely.

Many people believe that socialisation means meeting as many people and dogs as possible. But not every dog wants that. Some are social butterflies, others prefer quiet company. 

Like people, dogs have their own social preferences, and these can change over time.

 Knowing your dog means respecting those preferences and meeting their true needs.

Play is life enrichment. 

Whether with you or other dogs, it allows communication, learning, expression and joy. 

Dogs will play when they feel confident. 

If they feel unsure or overwhelmed, they won’t. 

That in itself tells us a lot about how they’re feeling.

Good play is made of rituals and role reversals. Dogs self handicap to keep the game going, especially if they’re the stronger or faster one.

You’ll see this in confident dogs or dogs who know each other well. It’s the same with us.

When we play with our dogs, we need to adapt to their play style. Be gentle if they need gentle. Let them win sometimes. Match their energy, read their body language, and back off if they seem overwhelmed.

Play builds bonds, helps dogs feel safe, and gives them a healthy outlet. 

A tug game with a dog who lacks confidence can help him feel strong and capable, especially when he wins.

Dogs are designed to do things. 

They have instincts based on what they were bred to do. 

Spaniels like to search, terriers love to dig and rip, and collies are hardwired to watch and control movement. 

If these traits don’t have an outlet, they can become unwanted behaviours.

Instead of trying to suppress what they were born to do, we can offer safe, structured ways to let them do it. Let your terrier dig up a designated area, give your spaniel scentwork challenges, and offer your collie visual games or tasks. 

This is enrichment that speaks to who they are.

You don’t have to do more with your dog, just different. 

Observe what they enjoy, tweak your time together, and make room for activities that meet their natural drive. 

It makes life easier for them, and for you.

Engagement is the foundation of a good relationship. 

Dogs love to interact. They bring us toys, nudge us, or ask to play because they crave connection. 

Engagement builds trust, focus, and enjoyment.

A dog who’s engaged is less likely to wander off or fixate on distractions. 

They’re already having fun with you. 

But we need to find what motivates them. Fast games might thrill one dog and scare another. It’s all about knowing your dog and adapting your energy.

Imagine you and your dog as one being. 

Every shared moment builds a bank of trust. 

Every disconnect takes something away. 

When you invest in that relationship regularly, your dog feels secure. And when stress hits, that foundation helps you both stay balanced.

Dogs are emotional animals. 

They feel fear, joy, love and even grief. 

When a dog is afraid, the emotion fills their entire body, just like it does with us.

A dog who lives in constant fear cannot feel balanced. 

Their body is flooded with emotion and their wellbeing suffers. We can help by managing their environment and building their resilience, little by little. 

Touch, complementary remedies and safe spaces all play a part in helping dogs regulate their emotions.

One thing we must avoid is assuming what they feel. For example, thinking a dog looks guilty for chewing something while you were out. What you’re seeing is likely appeasement, not guilt. 

The dog is reading your body language and trying to diffuse the tension. Punishing that can cause real emotional harm.

Empathy is the ability to consider how someone else is feeling. 

With dogs, it means watching closely, tuning in and adjusting what we do. It means not assuming that they’re fine, but checking.

Noticing the slight changes in posture, ear position, or movement that show how they feel.

Empathy also means thinking ahead. 

What happened earlier in the day that might affect your dog now? 

Have they already had a stressful experience that might lower their tolerance for more? 

Understanding their emotional flow helps us plan and support them better.

Our dogs are sensitive animals living in a world designed by humans. 

The more often we pause and ask, how is my dog feeling right now, the better companions we become.

My specialist subject is safeness and resilience in dogs. Click to get a bundle of my related eBooks books at a one time heavily discounted price. The price includes live reader support sessions with me, the author :)