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About Scott

Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is a certified dog behaviorist. Scott specializes in the assessment and treatment of fear, anxiety, aggression and phobias in dogs six months and older.

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Why Dogs Become Aggressive

Why do some dogs become aggressive? Learn the real causes behind aggression, including fear, anxiety, pain, frustration, genetics, and learned behavior.

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You’re Not Dealing With Disobedience. You’re Misreading Behavior.

Most dog behavior issues aren’t obedience problems; they’re misunderstood dog behavioral patterns. Learn what you’re missing and how it affects your dog’s behavior.

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3 Common Dog Training Tips That Sound Right—but Make Behavior Worse

Some common dog training advice sounds right—but actually makes behavior worse. Learn the 3 biggest mistakes and what to do instead.

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Is Your Neutered Dog "Hormonally Bankrupt?" The New Science of Canine HRT

Discover how Dogosterone and canine HRT can resolve fear-based behavior, anxiety, and mobility issues in neutered male dogs. Is your dog hormonally imbalanced?

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How You’re Accidentally Making Your Dog More Fearful or Aggressive

Dog owners often unintentionally cue fear and aggression in their dogs. Learn how subtle human behaviors can trigger reactivity—and what to do instead.

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The 6 Most Misunderstood and Frightening Forms of Dog Aggression

Discover six rare and often misunderstood types of dog aggression, including sleep startle, redirected aggression, and predatory behavior toward humans. Learn why professional help is critical.

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Do Dogs Go to Heaven?

Do dogs go to heaven? A pan-religious look at what Christianity, Islam, Judaism, and Eastern traditions say about pets and the afterlife, plus personal reflections on grief, the Rainbow Bridge, and the book Dog Heaven by Cynthia Rylant.

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Do Dogs Understand Death? What Science (and Experience) Really Show

Do dogs know when another dog dies? Learn how dogs perceive death, why they react differently, and how to help surviving dogs adjust after a loss.

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The Myth of the "Mean Dog"

Uncover the truth behind dog aggression. Learn why barking, lunging, or snapping is a symptom of fear, not a "mean" personality. Discover the 7 common types of dog aggression and how understanding triggers leads to effective behavior modification, not just labeling.

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New Baby Meets Dog: How to Set Yours Up for Success

Worried about your dog and new baby? Discover the reassuring truth: dogs rarely see babies as prey. Learn the key safety periods, how dogs truly perceive infants, and actionable steps for a harmonious home.

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Why Standard Dog Training Can Worsen Canine Fear and Anxiety

Standard dog training often worsens fear and anxiety in sensitive dogs. Learn why obedience-based methods fail anxious dogs—and what actually helps.

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The Job Your Dog Is Begging For: How to Channel Instinct into Happiness

Is your dog bored or anxious? Learn why 'giving your dog a job' is the key to channeling natural instincts, stopping bad behavior, and creating a happier, more fulfilled canine companion. Practical tips inside.

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Five Rookie Mistakes First-Time Dog Owners Make (and How to Avoid Them)

Bringing home a new dog is exciting, but first-time owners often discover the learning curve is steeper than they expected. After working with hundreds of families, I’ve noticed I approach first-time owners very differently than experienced ones — not because they aren’t intelligent, lack commitment or care, but because they’re working from assumptions that just don’t match how dogs actually learn.

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The Buzzer Deception: Why Even 'Vibration-Only' Collars Are Harmful

We’ve all seen them—the modern “training” collars that promise a quick fix for all kinds of dog behavior problems. These collars are really just old-school shock collars (also called e-collars) with a built-in buzzer. While the electric shock function is increasingly recognized as aversive and inhumane, many well-intentioned dog owners are drawn to the “buzzer” or “vibration-only” mode. It seems like such a harmless beep or gentle nudge, a simple way to get your dog’s attention.

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8 Ways to Stop Your Dog from Barking in the Backyard

Barking is one of the most natural things a dog can do—but when it becomes constant in the backyard, it can strain relationships with neighbors and even cause stress for the dog. The key is to understand why your dog is barking and then take steps to make things quieter and calmer for everyone.

Here are eight ways to stop your dog’s backyard barking:

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Zoomies: Why Every Dog Gets Them

You’ve seen it a hundred times: one minute, your dog is a perfect angel. The next, they’re a blur of fur, tearing laps around the coffee table, skidding across the floor with a wild look in their eyes. It’s a scene of pure, unbridled chaos… and it’s completely normal.

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