What causes fearful, phobic or anxious responses?
Sometimes fear is the result of an early experience that was unpleasant or perceived by the animal as unpleasant. If the fearful response was successful at chasing away the stimulus, or if the pet escaped from the stimulus, the behaviour has been rewarded and therefore is likely to be repeated. Owners that try to stop the behaviour by providing treats or affection may actually serve to further reinforce the behaviour the animal is performing at that time. Also, it should be noted that punishment, in close association with exposure to a stimulus might further cause fear and anxiety toward that stimulus. If the owner is frustrated or anxious or the stimulus is threatening, this too will further aggravate (and justify) the fear. Finally should the stimulus retreat or be removed during a display of fear aggression, the aggressive display will have been reinforced. It does not take an unpleasant experience however for fear to develop. Any stimuli (people, places, sights, sounds, etc.) that
