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Have you ever wondered why some dog trainers still cling to shock collars like they’re a magic solution for all behavior issues? I wonder about this all the time. I don’t understand it, because we now know better.
Animal behavioral science has progressed significantly in the last 25 years, especially when it comes to dogs. Decades of research—on both dogs and humans—have made one thing clear: using fear and pain to modify behavior might work in the short term, but it’s a recipe for long-term problems.
When dealing with dog behavior issues rooted in fear, two factors often stand out as the biggest variables: the dog’s territory and the things it finds scary. Let’s unpack these two and see how they impact your dog’s behavior—and what you can do about it.
Dog owners often wonder if their own stress or anxiety might be affecting their dog's mood and behavior. After all, our pets are incredibly perceptive, and many people report that their dogs seem to pick up on their emotions. But just how much of an influence do our feelings have on them, especially when it comes to anxiety?
I get a lot of questions about handling aggressive behaviors in dogs, and one thing I hear all the time is, "When I punish my dog for being aggressive, it seems to work—at least for a while. Why does the behavior end up getting worse later on?"
I understand your dilemma. You’ve got a dog that’s snapping, growling, or worse, and you’re frustrated. You just want the behavior to stop. It’s completely natural to want to step in and do something about it, and punishment can seem like a quick fix. In the moment, it might feel like you’ve solved the problem because your dog stops what they’re doing. But here’s the thing—what seems like improvement now can backfire later.
Let me explain why.
William looked at me and asked a question that most dog owners probably think about but never seem to ask out loud. He asked, “Scott, you’re the dog expert; what do dogs think about all day?”
To divine the truth in that question, you might think that we need to be able to converse with dogs to discover what’s going on in their canine craniums.
After working with thousands of clients, I’ve found there are four key dog owner perspectives that can predict the likelihood of success in working with dogs with behavior issues. I see the importance of these four elements of successful treatment in every case I work with. They’re all essential and are reliable predictors of success.
Dog bites are bad. Period. However, many people don’t realize when dogs aggressively bite humans, they almost never do so at full power.
Can dog owners communicate to their dog that they don’t need to be afraid or aggressive toward specific people? I happened to run into one of these dog owners at our Bass Pro visit.
I was sitting on one of those uncomfortable benches in the shoe department trying on a couple pairs of boots when a 45ish kinda scruffy-looking man walked his medium-sized mutt within a couple of feet. The dog had raised hackles and immediately began to pull toward me and bark. You don’t need to be a dog behaviorist to know that this doggie was unhappy being near me. Don’t worry, I’ve learned not to take these things personally.
“Scott, I don’t know what’s wrong with my dog. She’s always nipping and growling at me. She keeps me from getting on my bed, won’t let me get near her when she’s eating, and hates it when I try to pet her. But, for whatever reason, she loves my wife.”
This was what I heard when first talking to Mark (not his real name) on the phone. He sounded very desperate, and I thought I had a good idea of what was going on with his dog, but my premature diagnosis turned out to be very wrong.
If you're struggling with an anxious or aggressive dog, you might find relief in the latest episode of the Grumpy Dogs podcast. In this episode, I delve into the world of behavior medications, specifically anxiolytics, and their potential to transform your dog's behavior. This episode provides a comprehensive look at how these medications work, why they aren't a one-size-fits-all solution, and how they can complement behavior modification techniques to yield improvement in many cases.
Is your dog sweet as pie off-leash, but turns into a barking, lunging maniac the moment you clip on the leash? This is a common issue many dog owners face, known as leash reactivity. This episode of the Grumpy Dogs Podcast aims to uncover the mystery behind this frustrating behavior and offer practical tips to manage it.
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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Understanding your dog's barking can offer deep insights into their emotional states. In our latest podcast episode, Barbara Sheaffer sits down with seasoned dog behaviorist Scott Sheaffer to unlock the mysteries of canine communication. We leave no stone unturned in our quest to provide a long-term solution to incessant dog barking.
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In recent years, an alarming rise in dog aggression has been observed globally, raising questions about the root causes and potential solutions. Our latest podcast episode, featuring dog behavior specialist Scott Sheaffer, CBCC-KA, CDBC, CPDT-KA, delves deep into this multi-faceted issue, offering expert insights and effective strategies to address it.
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In our latest podcast episode titled "6 Things Parents Need to Know to Keep Their Kids Safe Around Dogs", we take a deep dive into the often misunderstood world of canine behavior, particularly focusing on the safety of children around dogs.
Understanding dog behavior is critical in ensuring child safety. It is essential to know that even the most friendly family pet can exhibit aggressive behavior in certain situations. This episode emphasizes the importance of supervision, not only indoors but also outdoors, where children might encounter unfamiliar dogs.
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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.
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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?
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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As the days grow shorter and temperatures drop, many of us feel the weight of the winter season. But have you ever wondered if your dog might feel the same way? While science hasn’t definitively proven that dogs experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) like humans, there’s reason to believe they might. Here’s what you need to know about how the changing seasons can affect your furry friend’s mood and how to help them stay content through the colder months.