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.

We all think we know what punishment looks like when it comes to dogs. Ask most people, and they’ll say, “Oh yeah, that’s stuff like hitting, spanking, shock collars, jerking the leash, or prong collars.” And yes, those are all forms of punishment—but they’re not the whole story.

Aggression in dogs is a complex behavior that normally stems from fear rather than inherent hostility. Understanding the root cause of aggression is crucial for effective management and rehabilitation.

Fear is the primary driver of aggressive behavior in dogs. When a dog perceives a threat—be it a person, another dog, or an unfamiliar object—it may react aggressively to protect itself.

Dealing with the death of a dog is one of the hardest experiences we face in life. At least that’s how it has been for me. If you don’t love dogs, you might not understand. The grief is deep, but a poem titled The Rainbow Bridge has offered comfort for over 65 years to grieving dog owners worldwide.

There’s an unspoken reality in the dog world when it comes to treating dogs with aggression issues toward dogs or even humans. It’s the problem of unqualified dog trainers taking on aggression cases they’re just not equipped to safely and properly handle.

The dog training industry is kind of like the Wild West. In most parts of the world, including the United States, literally anyone can call themselves a “dog trainer” or “behaviorist” without a lick of formal education or experience. One day someone is managing a coffee shop, and the next they’re charging $150 an hour to “fix” aggressive dogs with a shock collar in hand and a YouTube certification.

If your dog suddenly starts staring at "nothing," growling at invisible objects, or acting aggressively out of nowhere, you might wonder, is my dog psychotic? While dogs can display behaviors that seem eerily similar to human psychosis, the truth is more complex—and is often tied to medical or environmental causes. Let’s break down what’s really going on when dogs act "crazy" and what you can do about it.

My daughter brought something to my attention recently that I was completely unaware of. If you have a fairly recent model of Apple’s iPhone (iOS 15 or later), you have an automatic dog breed identification tool! With 350 identified dog breeds in the world, this can be pretty handy.

I show you how to use this feature below.

Almost all dog owners have been there—you call your dog’s name, give a command, and… nothing. Your dog acts like they didn’t even hear you. It’s easy to assume they’re being stubborn and get mad at them, but in reality, dogs don’t ignore their owners out of spite. If your dog regularly “tunes you out,” there’s a reason behind it—and the good news is, you can address it.

First off, let me say this—if your dog has had an aggressive outburst to other dogs or even humans, you’re not alone. Dogs, just like humans, can have moments of fear, frustration, and overexcitement. In dogs, these moments can sometimes cause unexpected aggressive behaviors like growling, barking, and lunging. The good news? There are steps you can take to manage these situations and make your dog feel more secure in those moments.

Dogs are seen as our beloved companions—I know I see mine that way—but when a dog bites someone, the legal implications can be significant. I’ve been involved as an expert witness in many dog bite cases, and from that experience I can tell you that you want to do everything you can to, 1) keep your dog from ever biting someone, and, 2) understand your liability as a dog owner.

There are two things that are absolutely essential when looking for a competent and effective dog trainer or dog behaviorist. I’m going to tell you what those two things are in this article.

Why Choosing the Right Dog Trainer Matters

Exercising caution when selecting someone to help you with your dog’s behavior issues is more important than you may think. Why? Because dog trainers virtually worldwide are required to only have the following in order to train dogs and get paid for it (and even this requirement is optional): business cards.