My dog is afraid of other dogs.

My dog is afraid of other dogs.
None of us, humans, dogs, cats, hedgehogs, elephants, or others, are completely free from fear. Fear is our brain's way of keeping us safe, making us hyper-alert and preparing us to fight potential threats or escape from them. But what if the dog is afraid of other dogs? Dogs are everywhere!
That being the case, outside the house, it is impossible to prevent your dog from at least coming, if not occasionally, to interact with what he fears most. It sounds scary, I know, but it is possible to help your dog feel more confident and less afraid of other dogs.
Sometimes it can be difficult to identify fear, especially if your dog reacts to the presence of other puppies barking and attacking. Behaviors that seem "aggressive" are often rooted in the fight or flight response. When your dog is on a leash, for example, they may not run away from an approaching dog. When "escape" is not an option, the next course of action is to "fight".
These behaviors can mean that your dog is afraid of other dogs : Your dog barks, attacks and/or grabs other dogs , Your dog yawns or licks its lips in an exaggerated manner when other dogs approach , Your dog tries to move away from approaching dogs , Your dog hides when another dog is present , Your dog creeps or complains about other dogs , Your dog refuses to receive treats or play with other dogs.
Before anything else, if you suspect your dog is afraid of other dogs, the first step is to prevent them from having negative experiences that may build on the fear they already have. But remember that dogs are unpredictable animals. So to avoid unpleasant surprises, follow these rules at the beginning: Don't take your dog to a dog park or a crowded space, Give your dog a safe walking safety zone. Cross the street, wait at the top of a driveway while another dog passes, or place a parked car between your puppy and the approaching dog , Never yell at your puppy or force him to interact with other dogs. Comfort your dog instead, be an advocate for your dog's needs.
We humans feel that dogs should play with other dogs. But really, what your dog probably wants more than anything in life is to be close to you and your family. For many dogs, playing with others of their kind is not that interesting.