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.
Aggression is the number-one reason dog owners reach out to me. It’s also one of the most emotionally charged and misunderstood behavior problems. When someone says, “My dog bit me,” or “My dog bit someone,” fear and frustration often take over—and myths quickly fill the gaps where knowledge is missing.
People often ask me, “Scott, what’s the number one thing I should pay attention to in my dog’s behavior?” It’s a fair question. As dog owners, we’re told to keep up with diet, exercise, training, socialization, enrichment, vet visits, and the list goes on and on. All of that matters.
When people ask me, “Who makes the best dog owner?” they usually expect me to name a type of person. Maybe someone who works from home or someone with a big fenced yard. Maybe they’re thinking about people who had dogs as kids and grew up knowing all the basics.
But the truth is, none of those things guarantee success. I’ve seen dogs thrive in apartments and struggle in sprawling houses with massive backyards. I’ve met first-time dog owners who completely turned a difficult case around, and I’ve seen seasoned dog people miss the mark.
When a dog shows aggression, it’s natural to want the problem solved quickly. Many owners, hoping for a fresh start, turn to “board and train” programs—where a dog lives at a training facility for days or weeks, receiving daily sessions with a trainer.
It sounds ideal: the trainer “fixes” the problem while you go about life, and you get your dog back transformed. Unfortunately, for aggression cases, the reality can be far more complicated—and in some cases, harmful.
I want to talk about something a lot of dog owners overlook, but it can make a huge difference in housetraining and behavior issues—properly cleaning up dog accidents. Whether you're dealing with a young puppy or a dog who’s marking in the house, the way you clean up after them matters more than most people realize.
Why Scent Matters More Than the Mess
When dogs eliminate inside, it’s not just an accident; it’s communication. Dogs use scent the way we use text messages. Whether urine or feces, it leaves a calling card: “Hey, this is a place where I go.” And if that message doesn’t get fully erased, your dog might keep going back and “resending” that message.
Deciding to euthanize a dog for behavior reasons is one of the most painful choices a dog owner can face. Unlike terminal illness, where the outcome is clear, behavioral euthanasia involves weighing quality of life, safety risks, and ethical responsibility.
As a dog behavior expert, I’ve seen cases where euthanasia was the last—but kindest—option. Let’s discuss when it might be appropriate and how to navigate this emotional and difficult decision.
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 |
Subscribe (Free) to Scott's BlogExplore & Subscribe |
Liver. Seriously. Is there any person on planet earth who really likes liver? Covering it with an inch of gravy does not count as liking it either. There are only a few things that virtually every dog doesn’t care for either. As you read through the list I’ve prepared below, you’ll probably say “But my dog loves that!” to one of the items.
Read MoreAlmost every dog barks a little when someone rings the doorbell or knocks on the front door. My personal dogs usually give about three half-hearted barks and then immediately settle down; this is normal for most dogs and is usually nothing more than arousal. This article is not about normal front-door dog behavior. It’s about dogs with territorial aggression that typically exhibit the following when someone knocks or rings the doorbell.
Read MoreWhen Linda M. first came to see me in May of this year with her dog, I had no idea that the story behind her beautiful dog was so remarkable. Quite frankly, I didn’t believe her story at first - but it turned out to be true and moving.
Read MoreI enjoy taking my personal dogs to the dog park. Dog parks are great for most dogs, but not all. Many dog owners really like taking their dogs to the dog park. When I ask new clients what their primary behavior objective is with their dog, they frequently respond, “I want my dog to enjoy the dog park.” Truth be known, many owners enjoy dog parks more than their dogs do.
Read MoreDo dogs go through puberty and adolescence? Yes, just like humans. It is also associated with behavior changes as is true with humans. The adolescent period for dogs normally occurs around 6 to 24 months of age. This can vary by breed and size of dog but is normally in this range.
Read MoreIt’s official; AKC’s most popular breeds list is out for 2020. Dog breed popularity in the United States can be faddish depending on what celebrity owns what breed at the moment. Tracking breed popularity is almost like tracking the stock market and, like the stock market, you can frequently really overpay. I’ve listed the top 20 breeds for 2020 compared to their 2019 ranking below.
Read MoreIt’s common knowledge in the dog and animal behavior consulting profession: dog aggression of all types is increasing across America. Since almost all dog aggression is fear based, it makes me somewhat melancholy to think an increasing number of dogs are experiencing this. The most important question is, why?
Read MoreA new client walked in my door recently. She was a middle-aged woman who was nicely dressed and very well spoken. She came with a large and beautiful female sable colored long-haired German Shepherd. I must admit that the dog was so beautiful it caused me to ignore this new client for a moment - this is the kind of dog I call “leash candy”.
Read MoreIt seems like some of the most effective dog training advice I provide dog owners is actually fairly simple. The following is an example of a tip that is simple but extremely powerful when training your dog at home.
Read MoreMy wife, Barbara, and I said goodbye two days ago to our sweet sweet boy, Reagan (pictured above). He was 11 years old and died of a rare liver disease. Words cannot express how immensely blessed we were to be his caretakers, nor can they express our level of sadness at this time. Godspeed sweet Reagan; thank you for all of your love and loyalty. You will be immensely missed and forever in our hearts.
Read More“Should I get a dog?” is a question that all prospective first-time dog owners ask themselves as well as those dog owners who are thinking of adding a dog. I’ve worked with thousands of dog owners in my behavior consulting career and have put together my list of things to consider before getting a first dog or adding another dog to your family.
Read MoreThe picture you see with this article is of my Great Pyrenees, Luke, relaxing in his crate. Luke frequently chooses to spend time in his crate voluntarily; I leave the door open so he is free to do this. Dog owners have mixed feelings about crating their dogs. Some feel it’s like putting their dogs in jail while others feel it’s a great “dog cave” or safe sanctuary for their dogs.
Read MoreDog breed is not the ultimate predictor of how well a specific dog will fit into your life, but breed types do have disposition tendencies that need to be considered. Picking the right breed, or breed mix, is especially important for first-time dog owners.
Read MoreOf all the creatures on earth, have you ever wondered why humans and dogs seem to really “get each other”? Dogs really enjoy being with us. They appear to read our moods and our motives. They are forgiving of our worst transgressions. Their love is…unconditional.
Read MoreWhen I was eight years old my mom asked me to take the groceries in from the car. Instead of taking a bag or two at a time, I loaded all five bags in my arms at once in order to make just one trip. Unfortunately, I dropped all of the bags on my way to the kitchen breaking many glass bottles and all of the eggs.
Read MoreThere are a number of key concepts that are extremely important when working with dogs that have behavior issues. I’ve included three of the most important of these below. While the things I detail below seem rather simple, they really aren’t in practice. These axioms are hard to implement when we are frustrated with our dog; furthermore, they can also feel counterintuitive.
Read More
Standard dog training often worsens fear and anxiety in sensitive dogs. Learn why obedience-based methods fail anxious dogs—and what actually helps.