Unlock the mystery behind your dog's sudden growls and watchful eyes when guests arrive. Our latest episode offers a deep dive into the realm of territorial aggression in dogs, and why your four-legged friend might be more on edge in the sanctity of your home than in the great outdoors. Explore with us the trifecta of triggers that provoke this protective stance: the craving for security, the shock of unexpected visitors, and the perceived lack of escape routes. We don't just lay out the problem; we arm you with strategies to identify and quell these behaviors before they escalate to dangerous levels.
In this latest podcast episode, an effective strategy for handling dogs that are reactive to dogs and/or humans is explored. This strategy uses dog parks as a key element in this behavior modification technique. The traditional concept of socialization is re-evaluated, with a focus on controlled exposure to triggers from a safe distance, such as outside the dog park fence. This approach avoids direct confrontation in hectic environments, which can worsen a reactive dog's anxiety.
Ever feel like you're at the end of your leash with your reactive dog during walks? I'm Scott Sheaffer, and in today's Grumpy Dogs podcast, I'm going to share the third step in the process that will change the way you and your pooch experience approaching dogs and/or humans while out on a walk that get your dog revved up.
Could deciphering your dog's subtle body twitches and tail wags be the key to addressing their deepest fears and aggression? My latest podcast episode looks into the language of your loyal companion, giving you the tools to interpret their silent signals that can prepare you to work on your dog's fears and aggression. You'll learn to navigate their emotional landscape and guide them through recovery at their own pace.
Average Reading Time: 30 seconds
Today we are unveiling a transformative 12-part series addressing the fear and aggression your four-legged friend might be grappling with to other dogs or humans. In this first episode I'm going to show you how you can change your dog's daily leash walks into a powerful behavioral therapy session to treat reactivity toward other dogs and/or humans.
Average Reading Time: 30 seconds
In my latest podcast episode, I tackle a question many dog owners grapple with: Can a dog's aggression truly be fixed? It's a complex issue, and I've laid out a comprehensive checklist to help guide you through understanding and addressing aggression and fear in your dogs.
Average Reading Time: 1 minute, 14 seconds
In our most recent episode of the podcast, we delve into a commonly debated topic among dog owners and trainers alike: Is socializing your anxious, reactive, or aggressive dog in busy public places like Home Depot a wise decision? Scott shares his expert insights and a recent personal encounter that shed light on this practice's effectiveness and potential risks.
Average Reading Time: 1 minute, 3 seconds
In my latest episode of the Dog Aggression Answers podcast, I delve into the complexities of canine aggression, focusing on the mixed signals dogs exhibit, like rolling over for a belly rub while simultaneously displaying aggression towards certain people. I explain that a dog's decision to roll over is often a sign of fear or submission, not an invitation for affection.
Average Reading Time: 47 seconds
In today's Dog Aggression Answers podcast episode, you'll learn some important basic concepts to make your aggressive (or fearful) dog less stressed around strangers. You can implement these concepts with your buddy right now.
Average Reading Time: 1 minute, 30 seconds
Did you know that using shock and prong collars on dogs is banned and illegal in many parts of the world? There's a reason that localities and entire countries have taken this action. My latest episode of the Dog Aggression Answers podcast will tell you where they are currently banned worldwide and some of the reasons why.
Average Reading Time: 1 minute
In the latest eye-opening episode of the Dog Aggression Answers Podcast, host, Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, delves into a critical yet often misunderstood aspect of canine behavior: dog bites. This episode is not just a regular discussion; it’s an essential guide for anyone frequently interacting with dogs, whether you're a dog owner, trainer, rescue worker, veterinary professional, pet sitter, or groomer.
About ScottScott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is a dog behavior specialist. 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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Disclaimer
If you have a dog who is aggressive and dangerous to humans, it is important that you immediately consult directly with an experienced and certified canine behavior consultant who specializes in dog aggression to humans. Take proper measures to ensure that your dog is never in a position to injure anyone. The information presented in these articles is for educational purposes only and is neither intended nor implied to replace the need for the direct involvement of an experienced and certified canine behavior consultant who specializes in dog aggression to humans. Scott Sheaffer and USA Dog Behavior, LLC, are not liable for any incidents or outcomes resulting from following the advice given in these articles.
Average Reading Time: 1 minute, 25 seconds
You’ve heard dog trainers on TV say something to this affect, “Your dog is not a balanced dog.” Apparently, this must really be bad. They say it with such authority that you have to assume this must really be a “thing”. I mean, they are on TV. We all know that everything on TV, and on the internet for that matter, is true.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 4 minutes, 57 seconds
You have finally located the dog you want to adopt from a local rescue organization or animal shelter. She’s pretty; she’s the age you want; she’s the breed you want; she’s the size you want; she’s friendly; she’s healthy; everyone in the family loves her.
These are things that are important when selecting a dog to adopt. However, there’s another dimension that adopters frequently overlook. Does this dog have any serious behavior issues? As someone who works with dogs with major behavior issues, I can confidently tell you that some problematic behaviors can dramatically and negatively impact the dog ownership experience.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 5 minutes, 4 seconds
I’m going to review and grade the eight most common dog collars and comment on how effective and humane they are for reducing pulling. I’m going to start with the least effective (#8) and work toward the most effective (#1). One of the key variables in my review is how humane these collars are. Punishing types of collars lose points fast with me.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
In the fall of 2014, I had my once-in-a-lifetime dog euthanized for health reasons. He had become so debilitated and sick that the vet was adamant it was time. To say I was heartbroken is the understatement of understatements. I am still sad and find myself reflecting and crying at times about the loss of this absolutely magnificent animal.
His name was Fred. He was a beautiful German Shepherd. Godspeed Fred.
After his death, I had two questions. Will I see him again? That’s a very interesting question I will address in a future article. The other question I had was, how will Fred’s death affect my other living dog? My other dog was a sweet-as-can-be Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Reagan. They enjoyed each other’s company.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 3 minutes, 7 seconds
My wife and I were walking around a Junior College near our home last week when we observed something that was distressing to both of us. A young man was walking his beautiful adolescent-looking German Shepherd. This man was almost a parody of what I hate to see in abusive dog owners: muscled up with a tank top, yelling “heel” every three seconds and constantly jerking the leash. Upon closer observation, I noticed his dog was wearing a metal prong collar.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 4 minutes, 58 seconds
“Does my dog need to have a lot of dog and human friends to be happy?” As a professional dog trainer, I hear this question all the time from my clients. Our society tends to be a social one, and often we feel most happy when surrounded by a lot of friends and attending events like concerts, parties and other social gatherings. Social media is a part of our everyday lives. So, the question is, are our dogs the same way? Do they need friends and social outings to be happy? Are they sad and lonely without them?
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 44 seconds
Dog rescue’s job is to take millions of unwanted dogs each year from across the country and find them loving forever homes. These dogs primarily come from dog owners who voluntarily surrender their dogs, strays picked up on the streets and municipal animal control shelters.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 1 minutes, 55 seconds
Some dog owners think a doggie peephole could be a gift to their dog while others just don’t want the ugly hole in their fence. Are they good or bad for dogs? What’s the real story?
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 30 seconds
Housetraining can be an issue for puppies as well as adult dogs. I frequently find adult dogs who have never been properly housetrained - this article applies to these dogs too. If you have a properly housetrained adult dog who abruptly develops housetraining problems, there may be more going on.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 3 minutes, 10 seconds
“My dog is a picky eater – What can I do?” is a common question for many dog owners. It’s actually a much easier behavior problem to address than most dog owners realize. Money motivates people, but food is the monetary system of dogs. Food is an important variable in a dog’s behavior and needs to be controlled by the dog’s owner and not by the dog. I’ve provided five ideas below to help you get a handle on this.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 1 minute, 6 seconds
Dog Behavior FAQ #74: Why do veterinary employees take my dog to the back to take blood, etc.?
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds
"Why do some people have such a problem with punishment styles of behavior modification in dogs? I'm specifically talking about some of those used by Cesar Millan in his controversial TV shows. Seems like he has fixed the dog by the end of the episode and the owners are happy. What’s the problem?"
Read MoreA dog owner submitted this question to me last week: “My dog is afraid of men. Why are so many dogs afraid of men?” I get this question in one form or another all the time.
Read MoreDogs jumping on people is the common cold of problematic dog behaviors. I describe it as a benign behavior problem - albeit a behavior problem nonetheless. Dogs who jump on you, your family and friends can really be annoying. Let’s quickly break down:
1) why your dog is doing this.
2) why all the things you’ve tried in the past don’t seem to help.
3) how to address the root cause of the behavior and stop it.
Dr. Ian Dunbar, who is the best-known dog behaviorist on the planet, said something that is 100% true about confident dogs at one of his seminars I attended. He said, "You will never be able to find the most confident dog on earth; it's really impossible."
What did he mean? Let me explain.
Read MoreThere are a lot of dog owners handing out bad dog behavior advice. Just because someone flies on Southwest Airlines doesn’t mean they’re qualified to jump in the cockpit of a Boeing 737 and pilot the plane. Likewise, getting anecdotal behavior advice from dog owners and the internet (i.e., Dr. Google) can get you and your dog headed in the wrong direction. Sometimes this advice can be funny because, like with most good humor, there is an element of truth in it sometimes.
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Navigating the choppy waters of canine territorial aggression just got smoother. Our latest discussion zeroes in on the strategies needed to manage dogs with a keen sense of trepidation when it comes to visitors coming into their home.