I don't think "comforting" a dog with words or pats will
eliminate the fear or nervous reaction, of any dog. The dog
can sense not only their own fear but ours as well, so if we
stay calm & distract them with a command to do something
else,it can change their focus & stop the reaction. We are
their leaders(alpha), & WE're Not Afraid . That sort of thing...

Make sense ?