In this blog, we discuss the importance of selecting the right veterinarian and knowing when to seek a second opinion to ensure your dog's health and well-being. I share the story of Oakley, my dog diagnosed with discospondylitis after persistent advocacy and seeking a second opinion, highlighting the value of trusting your instincts as a dog owner. I offer practical steps for choosing a vet, including assessing their communication style, expertise, and ability to address your dog’s unique needs.

The Dog Aging Project (DAP) provides groundbreaking insights into the prevalence and scope of behavioral challenges in dogs. Analyzing data from over 43,000 dogs, this study found that nearly all dogs (99.12%) exhibit moderate-to-serious behavioral issues, ranging from aggression and anxiety to separation-related behaviors and housesoiling. The blog post emphasizes the importance of early recognition and intervention to address these issues. Behavioral problems often reflect deeper emotional, physical, or environmental concerns, requiring a “big picture” approach. Through tools like behavioral assessments, tailored training plans, and collaboration with veterinarians, owners can address their dog’s needs effectively.

Brachycephalic breeds, such as French Bulldogs and Pugs, are becoming increasingly popular, with the French Bulldog recently named the most popular dog breed in the U.S. While their charming, expressive faces appeal to many, these flat-faced breeds often face unique behavioral and medical challenges rooted in their anatomy.

The blog post explores the intriguing behavior of blanket and flank sucking in dogs, particularly in Doberman Pinschers. It explains that this behavior is often a self-soothing mechanism rooted in comfort-seeking. Studies on flank sucking in Dobermans show it may have a hereditary component and parallels certain compulsive disorders in humans. Drawing from research, the post highlights how genetic predispositions, early weaning, and stress can contribute to this behavior.

This blog post delves into the complexities of aggression in dogs, highlighting how stress, fear, and anxiety often underlie this behavior. Drawing on recent research, it emphasizes the importance of recognizing early stress indicators like yawning, trembling, and excessive attention-seeking as precursors to aggressive responses. The blog discusses the detrimental impact of punitive measures, which can exacerbate anxiety and escalate aggression, and instead advocates for trust-based, positive reinforcement methods.

This blog post explores how idiopathic epilepsy (IE) in dogs affects not only their physical health through seizures but also their behavior and emotional well-being. A recent study highlights that dogs with IE often exhibit heightened excitability, attention-seeking behaviors, and cognitive impairments, which can be influenced by the neurological condition and its treatments.

This blog post explores a recent study published in the Journal of Veterinary Behavior, which examined how well dog owners can identify pain-related behaviors in their pets. The study revealed that many owners struggle to recognize subtle signs of discomfort, particularly in older dogs where behaviors may be mistaken for normal aging.

This blog post highlights the importance of carefully selecting a dog trainer or behavior consultant due to the unregulated nature of the industry. Anyone can claim to be a dog trainer without any formal education, making it essential for dog owners to evaluate credentials, experience, and methodologies when seeking professional help.

Aggression towards other dogs is often a complex behavior influenced by a variety of factors, including fear, frustration, physical discomfort, and environmental triggers. This blog post delves into the common causes of aggression and how to recognize early warning signs.

This blog post explores the concept of classical conditioning and how it influences dog behavior. Classical conditioning, first studied by Ivan Pavlov, explains how dogs (and all animals) can learn to associate neutral stimuli, like sounds or objects, with meaningful outcomes, such as rewards or discomfort…

This blog post explores how emotional arousal, commonly referred to as "reactivity," in dogs can often be linked to underlying pain or discomfort. Emotional arousal is characterized by heightened responses to stimuli, such as excessive barking, lunging, or hypervigilance, which can interfere with a dog’s ability to calm down…

We explore the challenges of managing dog training responsibilities when one person in the household carries the majority of the "mental load"; the invisible burden of managing tasks like feeding, walking, and training, as well as tracking progress and implementing solutions. We discuss the importance of involving all family members in training, highlighting the risks of inconsistent messaging, increased stress for the dog, and burnout for the primary caregiver.

This blog post explores the connection between discospondylitis, a painful spinal condition in dogs, and the sudden development of thunderstorm phobia in three case studies, including my own dog, Oakley. Diagnostic challenges, including the limitations of X-rays, are discussed. Treatment, involving antibiotics, pain management, and reduced activity, led to behavioral improvements in all three dogs, though recovery timelines varied.

This blog post explores the concept of the "October Slide" and its impact on dogs with chronic pain conditions. The "October Slide" refers to the worsening of chronic pain symptoms during colder months, often starting in October, due to environmental factors such as cooler temperatures, damp weather, and reduced daylight. These changes can lead to increased pain sensitivity, decreased activity levels, and behavioral shifts like irritability or avoidance.

This blog post encourages dog owners to shift their mindset from “fixing” their dog’s behavior to focusing on gradual progress through achievable goals. Addressing behavior issues, especially complex ones like aggression or reactivity, requires patience and realistic expectations. Attempting to resolve long-term behaviors quickly can lead to frustration and setbacks, as deep-rooted habits can take months or even years to change…

This blog post offers guidance for autistic dog owners on navigating the challenges of dog care during autistic burnout. Autistic burnout is a state of chronic exhaustion and decreased function due to prolonged stress, often resulting from masking autistic traits, sensory overload, and social expectations​. Burnout affects various aspects of dog ownership, including physical energy, tolerance for interruptions, and sensory sensitivity, making routine tasks like feeding, walking, and training difficult to manage…

We explore how a dog’s discomfort during car rides may not just be anxiety but a sign of physical pain or discomfort. Dogs experiencing stress during car travel often undergo subtle strain from the vehicle’s movement, needing to make constant balancing adjustments that can exacerbate any underlying pain, particularly in dogs with joint or muscular issues…

The case study of A, a 2.5-year-old Feist mix, illustrates how persistent behavior issues often have deeper, underlying causes. Despite extensive training, A continued to struggle with aggression, pulling on walks, and inconsistent eating. A key observation of A's unusual hind-leg skipping led to further investigation. This was when a Dynamic Dog Assessment, an approach that considers the whole dog's physical health, behavior, and environment, revealed subtle discomfort signals that changed A’s life.

We explore the often-overlooked connection between pain and undesirable behaviors in dogs. It provides a comprehensive guide on recognizing the subtle signs of pain, such as changes in sleep patterns, mobility, and social interactions. By understanding how pain can impact a dog's behavior, owners can take proactive steps to improve their dog's well-being. The article includes practical advice on tracking symptoms, consulting with veterinarians and Dynamic Dog Practitioners, and managing pain effectively…

This is a list of resources near our physical Braxton, MS location to help students navigate the area and make the most of their trip out to our training facility!