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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.
After working with many thousands of dogs and their owners, here are the top 15 things I’ve learned about dogs and their owners. These are presented in no particular order.
Barking is not the problem; it’s a symptom of an issue.
This is best explained with an example: When dogs bark at people or dogs, they’re usually barking because they want to scare away the scary people or scary dogs (scary to them, that is). The real issue is they are fearful of these things, and the fear/arousal is what needs to be addressed.
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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Dog behavior can be complex, often requiring professional intervention to ensure the safety and well-being of both the pet and its owners. In this podcast episode, Scott Sheaffer, a certified dog behavior consultant, provides a guide to understanding the world of dog behavior consultancy.
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Understanding the role your veterinarian plays in managing and treating your dog's behavioral issues is crucial for every pet owner. In our recent podcast episode, Scott Sheaffer, a certified dog behavior expert, provides valuable insights into this under-explored area.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.