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Learn why dogs bark at the doorbell, how fear and window barking can strengthen territorial reactions, and what you can do to make arrivals calmer and safer.
Learn why dogs pull on the leash, how fear, excitement, frustration, and reactivity affect walks, and which humane strategies can help.
Discover eight things your dog wishes you understood about your voice, mood, routines, aging, forgiveness, and the bond you share.
Five dog-training practices that concern canine behavior consultant Scott Sheaffer, from quick fixes and aversive tools to working beyond one's expertise.
Last time I talked about five things dog owners do that drive me crazy. Now it's the trainers' turn.
From “guaranteed” board-and-train fixes to shock collars, aggression cases, trying to do everything, and failing to keep learning, here are five things within my own profession that I think deserve a closer look.
Discover five common dog-owner habits that create stress, confusion, and behavior problems, plus humane, practical ways to help your dog succeed.
Learn the signs of separation anxiety in dogs, how to tell it from boredom, and the practical, humane steps that can help your dog feel safer alone.
Does your dog bark and lunge at other dogs on walks? Learn why this behavior happens, what it really means, common mistakes to avoid, and how behavior modification can help.
A true story about a loving dog owner named Tim, a rescue dog named Buddy that repeatedly bit him, and the surprising discovery that changed everything. Learn why understanding canine body language can prevent bites and strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Why do some dogs with aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity improve while others struggle? Dog behaviorist Scott Sheaffer explains the four owner-related factors that strongly predict success in difficult canine behavior cases.
Why do some dogs become aggressive? Learn the real causes behind aggression, including fear, anxiety, pain, frustration, genetics, and learned behavior.
Most dog behavior issues aren’t obedience problems; they’re misunderstood dog behavioral patterns. Learn what you’re missing and how it affects your dog’s behavior.
Would your dog eat you if you died at home? Explore documented forensic cases, possible explanations, and what this behavior can tell us about a dog's bond.
Learn why dogs bark at the doorbell, how fear and window barking can strengthen territorial reactions, and what you can do to make arrivals calmer and safer.
Learn why dogs pull on the leash, how fear, excitement, frustration, and reactivity affect walks, and which humane strategies can help.
Discover eight things your dog wishes you understood about your voice, mood, routines, aging, forgiveness, and the bond you share.
Five dog-training practices that concern canine behavior consultant Scott Sheaffer, from quick fixes and aversive tools to working beyond one's expertise.
Last time I talked about five things dog owners do that drive me crazy. Now it's the trainers' turn.
From “guaranteed” board-and-train fixes to shock collars, aggression cases, trying to do everything, and failing to keep learning, here are five things within my own profession that I think deserve a closer look.
Discover five common dog-owner habits that create stress, confusion, and behavior problems, plus humane, practical ways to help your dog succeed.
Learn the signs of separation anxiety in dogs, how to tell it from boredom, and the practical, humane steps that can help your dog feel safer alone.
Does your dog bark and lunge at other dogs on walks? Learn why this behavior happens, what it really means, common mistakes to avoid, and how behavior modification can help.
A true story about a loving dog owner named Tim, a rescue dog named Buddy that repeatedly bit him, and the surprising discovery that changed everything. Learn why understanding canine body language can prevent bites and strengthen your relationship with your dog.
Why do some dogs with aggression, fear, anxiety, and reactivity improve while others struggle? Dog behaviorist Scott Sheaffer explains the four owner-related factors that strongly predict success in difficult canine behavior cases.
Why do some dogs become aggressive? Learn the real causes behind aggression, including fear, anxiety, pain, frustration, genetics, and learned behavior.
Most dog behavior issues aren’t obedience problems; they’re misunderstood dog behavioral patterns. Learn what you’re missing and how it affects your dog’s behavior.
Some common dog training advice sounds right—but actually makes behavior worse. Learn the 3 biggest mistakes and what to do instead.
Discover how Dogosterone and canine HRT can resolve fear-based behavior, anxiety, and mobility issues in neutered male dogs. Is your dog hormonally imbalanced?
Dog owners often unintentionally cue fear and aggression in their dogs. Learn how subtle human behaviors can trigger reactivity—and what to do instead.
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.
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.
About ScottScott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, is a certified canine behavior consultant specializing in the assessment of serious canine behavior problems. Learn More |
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Average Reading Time: 1 minute, 53 seconds
Our pets are an integral part of our lives. Their happiness and wellbeing are often tied to our own. But what happens when our canine companions display aggressive behavior? Is it merely bad behavior or is there more to it? This is the topic of my latest episode with the same title on Dog Aggression Answers podcast. This short article provides a summary of this episode.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 8 seconds
If you're a dog owner, you've probably had that moment when your dog starts barking, growling, or showing signs of aggression toward a stranger. It's a situation that can leave you puzzled, wondering why your otherwise friendly canine companion is suddenly acting out. This behavior is often perceived as a dog's instinct to protect their owners. However, is this really the case?
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 1 minute, 47 seconds
Human aggression in dogs is a serious issue that can’t be taken lightly by dog owners. But where do you go to get help for dog aggression to humans? We’re excited to provide a new resource that is free and available to everyone.
Before I tell you about this new resource, I need to briefly explain why dog aggression to humans can’t be ignored.
It’s a problem that affects not only the dog, but also its owners and everyone around them. While aggression can manifest in various forms, including growling, barking, snarling, or even biting, the consequences of ignoring or mishandling this issue can be detrimental to all involved.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 36 seconds
Barking in the backyard is a common behavior for dogs, and humans don’t always appreciate it on either side of the fence. What many people don’t know is that the act of barking can be a self-rewarding behavior for dogs – they like barking! We need to get it under control, as it typically only gets worse for a number of reasons.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 3 minutes, 29 seconds
Summer is around the corner and it’s going to be hot, especially here in Texas! There’s no excuse not to mentally and physically exercise your dog every day, even when it’s really hot outside. I’ve provided you with 14 ways you can exercise your dog below; most of them can be done inside.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 46 seconds
No one can guarantee that a dog, even your own, will not bite your child. Some dog owners think their family dog would never hurt a flea, much less bite their own child. Remember that dogs are animals and, given the right circumstances, may respond to your child by biting.
Read MoreAs you prepare to dive headfirst into behavior modification for your beloved pet dog, make sure you’ve covered all the essential prerequisite tools and supplies. In this episode, I explain the three main things every dog owner should have before treating dog aggression: equipment, management and owner education.
Read MoreCheck out my new weekly podcast named "Dog Aggression Answers!” This podcast provides insights and treatment ideas for dogs with all types of aggression.
For more information, click Dog Aggression Answers.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 54 seconds
A new client, Jean (not her real name), and her dog, Bear, greeted me at the door for their first dog behavior session a few months ago. It was obvious from the second I laid eyes on Bear that he had fear issues with humans. This was obvious from Bear’s body language. He was definitely acting a bit grumpy toward me, with some growling and lunging.
Bear was a 130 pound, 20-month-old Great Dane. I know what you’re thinking: “aren’t Great Danes friendly dogs?” Mostly, but not always. Jean quickly informed me that Bear had bitten someone for the first time recently but that she was not worried about him biting again. She claimed that he was “getting better.” She further stated that the bitten person didn’t require any medical care, so it wasn’t “that bad.”
She may not have been concerned, but I definitely was - for a number of reasons.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 43 seconds
There is a question I ask my dog clients that can sometimes cause a look of shame. That question is, “Do you regularly walk your dog?” Whether a dog owner routinely walks their dog, or not, can be a litmus test in people’s minds about a dog’s owner (I don’t believe this is a valid test). In other words, if you walk your dog, you’re a good dog owner; if you don’t, you must not be.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 17 seconds
Cultural attitudes about dog ownership have changed fairly dramatically in the 21st century, especially in western countries. When I was a boy growing up in the 1970s in the United States, dogs were considered something that you provided food, water and occasional veterinary care when needed. Most dogs lived in the owner’s backyard virtually 100% of the time. They were not commonly considered part of the family like they are in most households today.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 1 minute, 56 seconds
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.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 44 seconds
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.
Read MoreAverage Reading Time: 2 minutes, 1 second
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.
Read MoreAverage 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.
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Would your dog eat you if you died at home? Explore documented forensic cases, possible explanations, and what this behavior can tell us about a dog's bond.