New PetMy adopted dog gets nervous on walks. How to build his confidence?
Congratulations on your new addition!
I suspect training will be the key to gaining more confidence for Chester. When a dog is unsure of themselves, giving them commands can be very helpful in decreasing their anxiety because now they have a concrete thing that they are supposed to do. I would recommend a basic training class to teach Chester the basics of sit, down, watch, heel, etc. and use these commands on walks.
I think a Thundershirt is a great idea. You can also try some of the herbal calming options such as Composure.
https://www.petco.com/shop/en/petcostore/category/dog/dog-health-and-wellness/dog-calming-aids
Finally, you can discuss short term anti-anxiety medications with your veterinarian if needed.
Good luck! I hope that was helpful. Thanks for using PetCoach.
Updated on September 24th, 2025
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