As dog owners, our instinct is to protect. When we see our dogs worried or unsure, we want to step in, comfort them, and keep them safe. It comes from love — but sometimes too much protection can do more harm than good.

Think of it like wrapping your dog in bubble wrap. They might not get hurt, but they’ll also never learn how to handle the world around them. And just like a child who grows up shielded from every challenge, an overprotected dog may struggle to build the confidence they need for everyday life.

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What is overprotection in dogs?

Overprotection is when owners step in too quickly or too often to “save” their dog from discomfort. It might look like:

• Scooping up a small dog as soon as another dog appears.
• Pulling a nervous pup away from new people or environments.
• Fussing and soothing every time the dog startles.
• Avoiding challenges altogether to prevent them from ever feeling worried.

While the intention is kind, the effect is limiting. Without gentle, positive exposure to new experiences, dogs don’t get the chance to discover that the world is safe — and that they can cope.

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How overprotection backfires

Here are four common ways bubble wrapping your dog can actually create problems:

1. Confirming the fear 🫣

You can’t “reward” the feeling of fear — emotions aren’t choices. But you can reinforce the behaviours fear produces, like whining, hiding, or clinging. If every time your dog looks worried you scoop them up or lavish them with fuss, you risk teaching them that acting anxious is the right response — and that yes, the world really is scary.

2. Blocking confidence building 💪

Confidence grows from little wins. Sniffing something unusual, stepping onto a new surface, approaching a noise and realising it’s harmless — these are the moments that build resilience. If your dog never gets to try, they never get to succeed.

3. Creating dependence 🤝

When a dog learns that their human always intervenes, they may stop trying to solve things themselves. This can create clinginess, separation issues, and a lack of resilience when the owner isn’t around.

4. Missing social learning opportunities 🐕

Dogs learn from other dogs — how to communicate, how to play, how to cope with normal interactions. If you always pull your pup away “just in case,” they miss out on practising these vital skills.

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A better way to support your dog

Protecting your dog doesn’t mean shielding them from everything. It means guiding them through challenges in a way that feels safe and achievable. Here’s how to strike the balance:

✅ Stay calm and neutral — your dog takes cues from you.
✅ Reward curiosity and bravery, even tiny steps forward.
✅ Break challenges into small, manageable steps.
✅ Give them safe opportunities to explore, problem-solve, and succeed.
✅ Step in only when needed, not at the first sign of hesitation.

By doing this, you’re not throwing them in at the deep end — you’re teaching them how to swim.

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The takeaway 🐾

Bubble wrap might keep parcels safe, but it doesn’t build confident dogs. By protecting just enough — without smothering — you give your dog the space to grow, explore, and develop the resilience they need for a happy, well-adjusted life.

💛 In short: your dog doesn’t need bubble wrap. They need your calm support, a chance to try, and the opportunity to succeed.