You’ve noticed that your dog appears to like some people more than others. Even if your dog sometimes shows aggressive tendencies toward people, he or she might not be bothered with certain people. Why is this?

Some dog behaviorists, behavior consultants and behavior specialists will not take their personal dogs to dog parks – ever. I am not one of those people. If you use some common sense and follow the guidelines below, you and your dog can both have a fun and stimulating time at the dog park.

I’ve witnessed too many dogs unnecessarily suffer because of misunderstandings about dog behavior. These misunderstandings are seen everyday in dog owners and even some dog trainers. It’s just a lack of knowledge about dogs for the most part; the following might shed some light on some of the most common misconceptions.

Here is a list of 4 items presented in order of least important to most important of things that can greatly improve your veterinarian’s relationship and effectiveness with your dog.

There are 15 principles in the dog behavior world I find myself repeating on a daily basis. Understanding and acknowledging these truths will greatly improve the relationship we have with our dogs. I’ve outlined these concepts below.

“When should I euthanize my dog?” is a question I’m frequently asked. I make it my policy to never tell dog owners if or when they should euthanize their dog. Please remember, no one can make this decision for you – not a dog trainer, not a behaviorist, not a veterinarian, no one. This is a decision that is ultimately best made by a loving owner.

Some dog owners feel they shouldn’t have to reward their dog for doing certain expected behaviors. They tell me they’re already paying for their dog’s vet bills, food and housing – that should be enough to get their dog’s loyalty.

Dogs can become fearful of many things through no fault of their own. Examples include: noises, riding in cars, touch, veterinarians, animate and inanimate objects, etc. The list is virtually endless.

There are numerous laws regarding dog bites. One that is important for dog owners to be aware of is known as the "one bite rule". Simply stated, the one bite rule means that dog owners have limited liability the first time their dog bites a human (this rule does not apply to dog-dog bites).

The state of affairs in defining and regulating service dogs is in flux to say the least – it’s the Wild West. Governmental entities, including the federal government, are looking at ways to more tightly control the definition and use of these dogs.

There are probably a number of reasons why the population growth rate of California has continued to decline over the last 30 years (1). Excessive government regulation is one of the reasons that is frequently cited.

It sounds so convenient. Just ship your dog to a dog training facility for two weeks and she’ll come back the dog you’ve always envisioned. If only it was that easy.

Animal professionals such as behaviorists, groomers, daycare workers, rescue workers and veterinarians should be concerned for dogs’ welfare in all areas (e.g., general health, behavior, nutrition, preventive medicine, environment).

Rescue dogs are great. They come in every flavor and each has quite a story to tell. My Great Pyrenees, Luke, is a recent rescue (from SPIN rescue) and I’ve had other rescues.

Most people think of dog aggression as a one-dimensional diagnosis for a dog that is presenting with behaviors such as barking, growling, biting, lunging, etc. The reality is more complicated.

“What should I do if an off-leash dog approaches?” is a question that I’m asked more frequently since Antoinette Brown was killed by several loose dogs in Dallas, Texas in May of 2016. It’s understandable that most people want a straightforward and uncomplicated one-size-fits-all answer. Unfortunately, it’s not that simple.