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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Standard dog training often worsens fear and anxiety in sensitive dogs. Learn why obedience-based methods fail anxious dogs—and what actually helps.
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.
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.
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.
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:
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.
About ScottScott 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. Learn More |
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Many dog lovers have multiple dogs in their homes - including me. However, as with just about everything in life, too much of a good thing can be problematic sometimes. Actually, math is the problem. The specific math formula (I promise no further math after this) is: nCr = n!/r!(n-r)!
Read MoreTaking your dog for regular annual exams with your veterinarian is a New Year's resolution that may be more important than you previously realized. The reason your dog's annual exam is so critical is simple.
Read MoreYou might think that dogs wouldn't have serious behavior issues regarding food, but just like humans, they do. I've provided information on three types below. "Doggie Table Manners Gone Bad" Compulsive disorders are manifested as repetitive behaviors that are excessively repeated for no apparent reason (think OCD in humans).
Read MoreDogs can be profoundly resilient both physically and emotionally. They don't appear to hold grudges or consciously dwell on the past. This is why rescued dogs can make outstanding pets and severely injured dogs adapt so well to their handicaps.
Read MoreWhat implied promises do we make to our dogs when we bring them into our homes? This thought occurred to me recently while attending the wedding of a nice young couple (yes, I was paying attention to the ceremony). As I listened to their wedding vows, I realized that we essentially make these same kinds of "vows" to our dogs when they become part of our household.
Read MoreDog behavior specialists and behaviorists use a scale when assessing dog bites. This is essential when diagnosing aggression issues and providing a prognosis. There are many scales, but the one that is most commonly used is Dr. Ian Dunbar's Dog Bite Scale.
Read MoreI hear it every day, "My dog is dumb." To be sure, there are dogs that are, um, well, not as smart as others. However, almost all dogs are pretty bright and even the ones that aren't can do some pretty amazing things when taught using the correct methods.
Read MoreThe most common behavior issue I see is aggression. Below I've listed three major categories of dog aggression with a brief description. Fear Aggression. Simply stated, these dogs have learned and have been reinforced for using aggression as an offense-is-the-best-defense strategy for dealing with things that scare them.
Read MoreYes, dogs can have OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) that manifests as tail chasing, licking their paws until there is an injury (lick granuloma), fly snapping (biting at imaginary flies), flank and blanket sucking (literally sucking on their rear legs or on inanimate objects), pica (eating non-food items) and the list goes on.
Read MoreI was recently taking a walk with my wife, Barbara, at one of our favorite parks. We came upon an older couple that was sitting on one of the park benches with their two beautiful German Shepherds. I asked if it would be okay for us to approach their dogs. The husband replied, "No. They are highly protective of us. You know how German Shepherds are."
Read MoreHumans are incredibly resistant to letting go of long held beliefs - even when faced with evidence that should point us in a new direction. The following popular beliefs can get in the way of our relationship with our dogs and decrease our effectiveness when training them.
Read More"My dog, Chester, tears things up when I'm away at work. Today it was the drapes! I know he's doing this to get back at me for leaving him alone all day. When I come home he looks guilty and cowers."
Read MoreAs a professional dog behavior specialist, I long ago made the decision not to use prong, choke or shock collars. Let me tell you how I reached that decision.
Read MoreMen's Health magazine recently ran an article with some interesting facts about men and their dogs. Here a few of the more interesting. The percentage of men who don't have a dog, but wish they did is 88%.
Read MoreAs a dog trainer and behavior specialist, I'm frequently asked the following questions. "What do you think are the best breeds for a family dog?" Basset Hound - Friendly to people and pets - great with children too. Get one from rescue.
Read MoreBelow you'll find some old and familiar dog training terms that in recent years have become somewhat outdated in some circles. These old terms are candidates for an update in light of what we've learned in the last 20 years about dog behavior. Read the following and see what you think.
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Dog owners often unintentionally cue fear and aggression in their dogs. Learn how subtle human behaviors can trigger reactivity—and what to do instead.