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.

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.

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.

Thanksgiving is a time to gather with family and friends, enjoy a delicious meal, and give thanks for all that we have. For many of us, our dogs are part of the family. However, the increased activity level and the number of people in the home during Thanksgiving can be overwhelming for even the calmest of dogs. If your dog is aggressive or reactive, it is important to take some extra precautions to ensure that everyone has a safe and enjoyable holiday. With some careful planning and management, you can make Thanksgiving a success for both you and your furry friend.

It can be heartbreaking to see your dog cower in fear or tremble with anxiety. Maybe you just adopted a new dog and they aren’t as outgoing as you hoped. Or maybe your shy dog has always been a little more reserved than others. Regardless of the reason for your dog's fearfulness, there are things you can do to help ease their anxiety and make them feel more comfortable in their home environment. Here are five things you can do if you find yourself living with a fearful, shy, or anxious dog.

If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behaviors that aren’t improving with training, you may be wondering if behavioral euthanasia is the right choice. It's a difficult decision to make, but it's important to remember that you are not alone. Many dog owners have found themselves in the same situation, and there is no easy answer. In this blog post, we'll explore the topic of behavioral euthanasia in dogs and offer some guidance on when it may be the right choice.

Owning an aggressive dog can be a life-changing experience. A dog owner can quickly go from being the central hub for their entire family at Thanksgiving to never having anyone enter their home because they fear what their dog might do. Oftentimes, when a dog exhibits aggression, dog owners start to think euthanasia might be their only option after training technique after training technique fails. Before making this difficult and painful choice, it is important to gather information from a professional dog behavior consultant (we are quite different from dog trainers!) about your dog's behavior.

Anyone who has ever owned a dog knows that they are capable of exhibiting a wide range of emotions, from happiness and excitement to fear and aggression. Unfortunately, even the best-behaved dog may exhibit aggression under certain circumstances. If your dog is exhibiting aggressive behavior, it is important to take steps to manage the aggression in order to keep both your dog and those around him safe. The best-laid training plans start with the management of the dog’s undesirable behaviors to prevent further reinforcement. In this blog post, we'll discuss three strategies for managing aggressive behavior in dogs: using training equipment like muzzles, rearranging the environment for success, and preventing your dog from practicing undesirable behaviors.

Dogs can become aggressive for a variety of reasons, whether it’s due to fear, insecurity, frustration, mistrust of strangers, or just a general lack of socialization. Whatever the reason may be, dog owners need to be aware of the signs of aggression in their dogs and how to properly (and safely) address it. One way to help an aggressive dog is through desensitization and counter-conditioning. In many cases, aggressive behaviors like lunging, barking, and growling can be decreased through a process called desensitization and counter-conditioning.