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.
Cesar Millan, it’s time to apologize to dogs. For years, you’ve pushed these four myths, and now, science is calling for a reckoning.
If you’ve ever watched The Dog Whisperer, you’ve seen Cesar Millan in action, calmly walking a pack of dogs, correcting bad behavior with a sharp "tsst," and preaching about "dominance" and "being the pack leader." His methods look effective on TV, but here’s the problem: most of what he promotes isn’t backed by modern dog behavior science. In fact, some of it is downright harmful.
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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There are some subjects relating to dog ownership that are quite polarizing. Whether you should crate your dog or not is certainly one of them. Some people view crating dogs as cruel, akin to putting them in a jail cell. Other dog owners view it as a way to give their dog some peace and quiet.
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You hear it all the time:
”I have a bad dog; she’s dangerous.”
”Bill needs to get rid of his bad dog.”
”Debbie’s dog is a bad dog and should be put down.”
Before I go any further, let me expound on the type of “bad dog” I’m writing about, since there are two types. The first type has to do with dogs who have poor manners. By “poor manners” I’m talking about dogs who annoyingly jump on people, chew on shoes, bark constantly, etc. You get the idea. This type of “bad dog” would more properly be described as unruly. I don’t like when people apply the “bad dog” moniker to these types of behaviors, but it’s a more acceptable use of this term than it is with the second type of “bad dog” detailed below.
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Do dogs feel things in the same way as humans? This is a question I’m asked frequently. Quite frankly, if you’re a dog owner, it’s a question you probably ought to be asking yourself.
After personally working with thousands of troubled dogs, my personal opinion is that, yes, dogs do have many, if not all, of the same or similar emotional feelings that humans do. I have that belief for both scientific and experiential reasons. But, I do have one caveat; I’m not so sure dogs feel things exactly like we do.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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“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?
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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.
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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?
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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.
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“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.
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Dog Behavior FAQ #74: Why do veterinary employees take my dog to the back to take blood, etc.?
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"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.
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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.